USM Contingent Captures Awards at Mississippi Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Conference
Fri, 04/12/2024 - 03:17pm | By: Van Arnold
Students, faculty, and alumni from The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) School of Kinesiology and Nutrition earned special recognition during the Mississippi Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics annual conference held at USM’s Hattiesburg campus.
This year’s conference, held April 4-5, featured the theme: “Food for Thought – Innovation, Solutions, and Strategies for Success.”
USM honorees included:
- Outstanding Dietetic Educator of the Year: Teresa-Walker Cartwright, USM faculty member and alumna
- Outstanding Dietetic Student – Didactic Program in Dietetics: Kymberly Jackson, USM undergraduate student
- Outstanding Dietetic Student – Dietetic Internship: Eric Wicht, USM graduate student
- Emerging Dietetic Leader: Molly Edwards, USM faculty member and alumna
- Recognized Young Dietitian: Chelsey Crocker, USM alumna
The USM School of Kinesiology and Nutrition offers an undergraduate degree program in nutrition and dietetics and a graduate degree program in nutrition and foods systems.
“It was so exciting to recognize current and former students and my colleagues for these well-deserved awards,” said Dr. Holly Huye, Associate Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics and director of the undergraduate program. “It is truly inspiring to see their hard work and dedication acknowledged, and I’m thrilled to celebrate their accomplishments.”
Walker-Cartwright, a lecturer in the School of Kinesiology and Nutrition, described being chosen as the Outstanding Dietetic Educator of the Year, “an absolute honor.”
“I appreciate the recognition from my colleagues and my students as it serves as an acknowledgment of the time and energy I put into being the best educator I can be,” she said. “My students and the nutrition professionals that I work with serve as my motivation, and they make me strive to always be better and do better. They encourage me to greater effort, enthusiasm, and creativity- they inspire me every day.”
Edwards, visiting instructor and Director, Dietetic Internship program expressed surprise and gratitude upon learning that she had been nominated for the award.
“I am so honored to win this award and particularly to be nominated by a former student. The students in the internship mean the world to me,” said Edwards. “Each year we have around 10 interns enter the two-year program. They work so hard over the course of the program completing graduate courses and supervised practice hours within the community to attain their Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential.
She added, “It is such a joy each year to get to know the interns, watch them grow in their skills and confidence, and guide them through the process. It's also such an honor for me to see the graduates years later serving our community as RDNs.”
Members of the Mississippi Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics are dedicated professionals who volunteer their time and talents to improve the nutritional status of their clients and the public. MS-AND members are trained to deliver nutrition information in a variety of settings and practice in every area of the state.
MS-AND is a state Affiliate Association of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, which has 70,000 members nationally and throughout the world. Members serve in more than 20 countries overseas. Membership is comprised of Registered Dietitians, the Registered Dietetic Technicians, and students of nutrition and food service.
Learn more about USM’s School of Kinesiology and Nutrition by calling 601.266.5358.