Progress 11/01/24 to 10/31/25

Outputs
Target Audience:Three female graduate students were enrolled in the Master of Science degree program and awarded National Needs Fellowships. Each has followed a two-year, 30-hour academic program of study in Human Nutrition. The racial and ethnic demographics include one Native American, one Asian student, and one White non-Hispanic student. Changes/Problems:While the original recruitment plan was well-conceived, initiating the process earlier would enhance efforts to identify and engage students from underrepresented backgrounds. Early outreach to state and national programs in nutritional sciences will help ensure a diverse and competitive applicant pool. Additionally, aligning students with faculty mentors based on their career interests will enrich their academic experience and professional development. For example, students with a passion for basic research can be paired with faculty leading laboratory-based projects, while those aiming for careers in community nutrition and education may benefit from mentors with expertise in teaching and outreach. This tailored approach will better support students' goals and strengthen the program's impact. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?All students participated in structured training sessions in the fall that included completion of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI)and leadership training. They also engaged in one-on-one consultations with two co-principal investigators (PIs), both certified IDI administrators. These sessions focused on enhancing students' intercultural communication skills, identifying leadership strengths, and setting personalized goals for professional growth. To further support their development, students were encouraged to participate in a variety of professional activities. Two students presented their research at poster competitions hosted by the School of Human Environmental Sciences, the College of Agricultural, Food, and Life Sciences, and Gamma Sigma Delta. Additionally, two students attended national conferences, including the American Society for Nutrition and the Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE), gaining exposure to current research and networking opportunities within the field. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Research findings have been actively disseminated through poster presentations and participation in campus seminars involving affiliated academic and professional groups. Students engaged with nutrition professionals during these seminars and at various community events, fostering meaningful dialogue and expanding their professional networks. Notably, one student achieved publication of her poster research in Current Developments in Nutrition, highlighting the scholarly impact and quality of student work. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Efforts are underway to actively recruit the final cohort of students to be enrolled as National Needs Fellows. Recruitment will target state and national academic programs in nutritional sciences, with a particular emphasis on engaging students from underrepresented groups. Once selected, these fellows will enter the established Master of Science program in Human Nutrition, receiving rigorous academic and research training that prepares them for impactful careers in the nutritional sciences. To assess the effectiveness of the program and its long-term impact, a follow-up survey will be developed. This instrument will gather feedback on the program's strengths and document the professional contributions of each graduate to the field of nutrition.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Three students were enrolled in the Master of Science program with a concentration in Human Nutrition. This rigorous 30-hour program integrates advanced academic coursework with thesis research. One student completed the program this current academic year. With one fellowship recipient graduating this year and the remaining two students on track to graduate in Spring 2026, the program continues to make meaningful progress toward its goal of diversifying the scientific and professional workforce. These students are emerging as skilled professionals equipped with both academic expertise and intercultural competence.

Publications

Progress 11/01/23 to 10/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:Three female graduate students have been selected for the National Needs Fellowship and admitted to the Master of Science program, a two-year course of study in human nutrition. The racial and ethnic demographics include one Native American student, one Asian student, and one White non-Hispanic student. Each student participates in formal classroom instruction, laboratory training, and experiential learning related to their degree program. Changes/Problems:I will not significantly change the approach, but hope to begin the active recruiting outreach earlier. I will involve new faculty in advising the students and ask them to mentor students who may not be interested in basic scientific research in nutrition. I will also incorporate additional community nutrition activities. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Thestudents participated in an Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) during the fall 2023 and 2024 semesters. Students completed the assessment and leadership trainingto reflect on their baseline cultural competence scores and ways to develop growth over time. This training will be repeated each fall semester for continuing students. One student participated in the Human Environmental Science Graduate Student Symposium with a research poster presentation. One student attended the 2024 Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo in Minneapolis, Minnesota. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?There is great interest in the potential of graduates in human nutrition. Two local hospitals and the state medical school are very interested in the potential of trained graduates in human nutrition. Personnel from these medical facilities assist with classroom instruction and professional development of these students. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, I will contact schools to share information about the program for students and encourage those interested in applying for graduate school andthe fellowship award. There are two more fall admission periods whereby the fellowship can be awarded.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The recruitment of national needs fellows resulted from communications with in-state schools offering bachelor of science degree programs in nutrition, targeted contact with 1890 regional schools, a posting on the Academy of Nutrition Sciences website, and announcements in upper-level classes. The program admitted one studentin the fall of 2023 and two others in the fall of 2024. Objective 1: The training of three students in various levels of success is underway. Each is enrolled in the Master of Science program focusing on human nutrition. Nutrition faculty who teach and advise in this study area provide advisement and training in their research labs.Two of the students have assisted in classroom instruction. Fall 2023 One student admitted -completed 24hours of coursework to date. Fall 2024 One student admitted -completed 9hours of coursework. Another student admitted - completed 6hours of coursework. Objective 2 is ongoing. While the students have not completed the degree requirements, they are shadowing both instructional and research faculty.

Publications

Progress 11/01/22 to 10/31/23

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience was underrepresented populations for the nutrition professions.It is essential to ensurethat the nutrition and health professions have a diverse representation to benefit clients, patients, students, and nutrition and dietetics practitioners. This year, the project director initiated recruiting efforts to contact all academic programs in the state with nutrition academic programs. Personal contact was made with the 1890 land-grant university personnel and Native American serving schools. The project director posted the program openings on the national list of nutritional professionals and organized Zoom meetings to explain the program to intereted faculty and students. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?For the next academic year, we plan to enroll two students in the educational program in the targeted area of nutrition. Each student selected as an NNF fellow will receive1:1 mentoring. Fellows will be paired with a culturally competent faculty mentor. All project team memberswill have participated in Intercultural training to raise awareness of one's cultural identity and interact appropriately with students from another culture. At the end of year one, students will participate in leadership training to enhance leadership strengths, traits, and skills. NNF fellows will also assist with teaching and learning in project-based and community-based learning

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Since the grant was received after the start of theacademic year, the major efforts this year addressed announcing the availability of the NNF fellowships, discussing the program parameters with interested students, and working with the faculty who will assist with mentoring the students. The project director made personal contact with the 1890 land-grant university facultyand 1994 schoolsto recruit underrepresented student populations. Also, the project director maintained communications with all state schools withnutrition academic programs.

Publications