Nutrition Advocates

Nutrition is vital to improving fitness, energy level, the immune system, mood, and overall good health. Having nutritious meals can sometimes be difficult, especially if you are cooking for yourself, using a meal plan, or eating on the run. Nutrition Advocate Training is a one-year training experience to learn and present nutrition programs on campus and in the community. Trained student Nutrition Advocates continue their advocacy in subsequent years with the department.

Student Nutrition Advocates (often nutrition majors) are trained in nutrition and lead discussions such as:

Nutrition for a healthy lifestyle;
Effects of dietary habits on mood, exercise, and performance;
Healthy weight control;
Healthy options in the dining hall;
Vegetarian eating styles and options.

With the supervision and direct support of the Coordinator of Nutrition Education, this student will conduct nutrition education programs and individual dietary analysis, and prepare educational literature for campus newspapers and other media. Consistent with the department vision of student empowerment, this student will be considered a student staff member of the Department of Health Education, and thus afforded the rights, responsibilities, and privileges which accompany such a title.

As a Nutrition Advocate in the Department of Health Education, this student will:

Acquire a working knowledge of the nutrition education project(s) implemented throughout the university;
Secure the appropriate project materials according to program outlines;
Organize and assimilate information needed for presentation of the program(s);
Maintain project materials in appropriate condition;
Report to weekly or biweekly meetings and volunteer ideas for future projects;
Assist in implementation of evaluation mechanisms;
Participate in training for computerized dietary analysis to complete when needed.

All applicants must be Rutgers University nutrition majors available to work 5 to 10 hours per week. All applicants for Nutrition Advocate positions should possess the ability to work independently on projects, the ability to express themselves in a clear and concise manner, and experience conducting and/or facilitating group process. Experience with e-mail and word processing is encouraged, but not required. Nutrition Advocates will be trained in the use of nutrition software programs.

Click here for the student staff application.

Last Modified 10/2/2002