Sargent Receives Diversity & Inclusion Grant from Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Sargent College has been awarded a $10,000 Diversity and Inclusion Promotion Grant from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This grant supports minority recruitment and retention projects by dietetics education programs accredited/approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), dietetic practice groups, member interest groups, and Academy affiliates.

Sargent received the award to develop a diversity and inclusion initiative: Boston Alliance for Diversity in Dietetics (BADD). Funding will be used to organize social justice-minded dietetics students, interns, and professionals who will engage in programs and initiatives to increase diversity and inclusion in the dietetics profession in the Boston area and across the nation.

Clinical Associate Professor and Nutrition Program Director Michelle Debiasse  developed the program in collaboration with Harvard Medical School Program Manager Deanna Belleny. Debiasse’s scholarly and research interests include equity, diversity, and inclusion in the education, training, and practice of healthcare professionals, particularly Registered Dietitian Nutritionists and the exposition of  influences of gender upon female-dominated healthcare professions.>