Housley recognized by Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for teaching, mentorship

Lauren Housley, clinical associate professor and director of the dietetic internship program in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, has received an Outstanding Dietetic Educator Award in the dietetic internship category from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 

Housley was selected to represent the Nutrition and Dietetic Educators and Preceptors (NDEP) South Central Region. 

The award program recognizes the teaching, mentoring and leadership activities of faculty in dietetics education programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.

Award recipients demonstrate leadership in the field, active learning strategies and student-centered techniques in the classroom, and mentoring beyond their roles as faculty or directors, including mentoring of professionals and program alumni.  

“I am very honored to receive this award,” Housley said. “Inspired by my father’s mentorship and the incredible support I have had throughout my own education, I feel extremely grateful to serve others in similar ways. I continue to be inspired by our students, the work they do and the changes they are driving in our field. This is what makes me excited to come to work every day. Receiving this award is icing on the cake.”  

Housley directs the FACS graduate-level program in which students complete either a master’s or doctoral degree in addition to a dietetic internship. Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to sit for the national credentialing exam for registered dietitians, which requires over 1,000 hours of supervised practice.

“Dr. Housley is an exemplary teacher and leader who has dedicated her career to impacting our profession both in Georgia and the nation,” said Emma Laing, FACS clinical professor and director of the undergraduate dietetics program. “In addition to her capacity to teach and mentor both undergraduate and graduate students, she is able to effectively manage multiple committee assignments. Her successful teaching and mentoring make a lasting impact on her students who are being trained to become future leaders in the dietetics field.”

Quadarius Whitson, a graduate student in the program, praised Housley’s commitment to her students.

“Dr. Housley’s dedication to her students is truly remarkable,” he said. “Her unwavering commitment to providing us with the best possible learning experience and mentorship has been instrumental in making our dietetic internship program exceptional. I am incredibly grateful for her passion, leadership and enthusiasm in guiding us through this critical stage in our lives and preparing us for the workforce.”

NDEP’s mission is to advocate for and empower educators and preceptors to lead the profession of nutrition and dietetics. The organization consists of over 1,350 educators and preceptor members. 

Housley will be recognized at the NDEP spring meeting in April in Seattle. 

“Dr. Housley is a dynamic and innovative dietetics educator,” said Connie Rogers, department head and Bill and June Flatt Professor of Nutritional Sciences. “Her professional accomplishments exemplify values of student-centered learning, professional development, innovation and creative mentoring and social responsibility to train the next generation of dietetics professionals. Her efforts leading our dietetic internship program strengthen the reputation of our department and contribute to excellence in teaching and mentoring.”