Recognized for Excellence in Dietetics Leadership and Innovation
04/10/2017
By Karen Angelo
Lecturer Renee Barrile of the Biomedical and Nutritional Sciences Department has received the 2017 Outstanding Dietetics Educator Award from the Nutrition and Dietetic Educators and Preceptors organization.
The annual award recognizes the teaching, mentoring and leadership activities of faculty in dietetics education programs that are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
“An innovator in the classroom, a mentor to students and an overall nutrition and dietitian champion, Renee deserves this recognition,” says Dean Shortie McKinney of the College of Health Sciences. “She exemplifies excellence in dietetics education and the highest standards of leadership and innovation.”
Among Barrile’s many accomplishments is the development of the university’s Master of Public Health Coordinated Program, one of five in the nation to offer a combined Master of Public Health and Registered Dietitian degree. To prepare for the accredited program, she established affiliations with 35 organizations to provide supervised practice experiences for dietetics students.
Asst. Prof. Kelsey Mangano, who gathered input from nutrition faculty for the nomination, says that Barrile is a valuable mentor for students.
“She helps students from any discipline explore their interests and identify potential career paths in the field of dietetics,” Mangano says. Barrile also provides guidance and mentorship to faculty on course development, technology integration and practical strategies for engaging students in nutrition science.