Nutrition Science

I currently work at Children’s Minnesota as an inpatient dietitian on the cancer and blood disorders unit. Most of the patients I see have a pediatric cancer or hematological condition. I help patients and families navigate a challenging time in regards to nutrition whether they are eating by mouth, via feeding tube or receiving parenteral nutrition.

During my time at NDSU I learned about nutrition throughout the life cycle, which has been especially helpful as I see patients from infancy through early adulthood. The strong focus on medical nutrition therapy for a wide array of disease states has helped me assist patients with anything that may arise during their treatment.

The foundation of my career was laid by the NDSU Dietetic program and I owe them a great deal of gratitude. I could not be more thankful for the faculty who have always been there to support me, well beyond graduation. The small class sizes make the faculty very accessible and makes it possible to form a working relationship. I felt well prepared to enter the job force in a leadership role thanks to the guidance of the faculty and real-world education. I loved the well-rounded and comprehensive program that NDSU had to offer. I went into dietetics thinking I would love one route but life took me in a different direction and I ended up finding myself engulfed in healthcare specializing in weight management which is a place I did not initially imagine myself. Because my degree from NDSU encompassed all aspects of dietetics, I could seamlessly transition from one aspect of food and nutrition to a whole different industry. Career options in nutrition are diverse and it is great to be in a career field that has so many options. I love my job and I get to help people change their lives for the better through nutrition. I could not imagine myself anywhere else.

I am starting my ninth year as an Associate Professor of Kinesiology at the University of Jamestown. In my current role, I teach a variety of exercise science, nutrition, and physical activity courses. Some of my favorite courses to teach are Sports Nutrition, SPINSANITY, and Exercise Physiology. I also recently earned my Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) credential through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), which has further strengthened my ability to prepare students for careers in strength and conditioning and evidence-based practice.

Beyond teaching, I have had the opportunity to contribute to the continued growth of our department. I assisted in leading our Exercise Science–Strength and Conditioning program through the accreditation process with the Council on Accreditation of Strength and Conditioning Education (CASCE), helping ensure our curriculum meets national standards for educating future strength and conditioning professionals. I also serve as the Program Director for our new Master of Science in Kinesiology – Sport Performance program, where I oversee curriculum development and help prepare graduate students for advanced careers in human performance.

North Dakota State University prepared me to be successful in my career by providing both a strong academic foundation and valuable hands-on learning experiences. After completing my undergraduate degree in Dietetics, I realized I wanted to further my education by pursuing a Master's degree in Nutrition and Exercise Science so I could better understand the relationship between nutrition and exercise. I frequently draw upon the knowledge I gained in courses such as Food Principles and Metabolism while teaching my own students. One of my favorite memories was managing our own restaurant during Foodservice Systems Management, an experience that developed not only foodservice management skills but also teamwork, communication, and leadership. Although memorizing and reciting the entire Krebs cycle in Metabolism felt overwhelming at the time, I now appreciate how that rigorous training prepared me to confidently teach these complex concepts to my students.

In summary, NDSU provided me with the education, mentorship, and experiences necessary to excel in my career. The professors in the Nutrition Science department genuinely cared about me not only as a student but also as an individual. I have maintained many of those relationships over the years, and I continue to have the utmost respect for my former professors, now viewing them as colleagues and fellow educators who inspired my own approach to teaching, mentoring students, and advancing the field of kinesiology.Top of Form

My name is Ashley Krogfus and I currently work as a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) at HealthPartners. I work in the outpatient care setting and collaborate with healthcare professionals ranging from social workers, nurse diabetes educators on my team, Endocrinologists and Primary Care Providers. My professional career and growth I've experienced as a dietitian are a direct reflection on the foundation I built while attending the Dietetics (former Nutrition Science) program at NDSU.

My path to becoming a dietitian included graduating from NDSU's Didactic Program in Dietetics and earning a master's degree in Exercise/Nutrition Science while completing my internship hours. In my current position I use several skills that I learned while attending NDSU's dietetics (former Nutrition Science) program including multi-tasking, writing professionally, translating research into patient recommendations, and most importantly, the ability to think critically. In addition, this program has a valuable student organization that is involved around campus and the Fargo-Moorhead community. The relationships I built while volunteering were influential on my growth both as a dietitian and healthcare professional.

In summary, NDSU's dietetics (former Nutrition Science) program filled my cup with knowledge, relationships, and the ability to cope with the ever-changing challenges I faced both in the past and present. I am thankful for the time I spent in this program and hope others will experience the same sense of enlightenment.

Go Bison!

As part of my role as a Nutrition Program Consultant, I conduct on-site reviews of schools that participate in federal meal programs to monitor for Child Nutrition Programs compliance. When schools are found to be out of compliance with federal or state regulations, I work with them to develop a plan that ensures measurable improvement in the many areas of school food service operations, including food safety, nutritional quality, and special diets. Another part of my role is presenting concise, accurate, and organized information through technical documents and training presentations.

The coursework I completed at NDSU greatly helped me prepare for my work in this position. The individual attention I received from the Nutrition Science faculty helped guide me to the area of dietetics I was meant to work in, which is a combination of community nutrition and food service. My role requires robust communication skills, which were strengthened during my time at NDSU. The practical experience I received through coursework and supervised practice prepared me to communicate with and teach individuals with various levels of experience in nutrition. I love sharing what I know as a food and nutrition expert with school nutrition service professionals to promote the health and well-being of children and help fight hunger and obesity.

I work as a Child Nutrition Specialist with the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction. In my role, I provide training, technical assistance and conduct reviews for Schools and Child Care Sponsors that participate in USDA Child Nutrition Programs (National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program). I have held previous roles in Long Term Care as a Clinical Dietitian and Director of Dining and Nutritional Services. Two exciting events have recently occurred: 1) passing the credentialing exam for the SNS credential of School Nutrition Specialist and 2) being awarded a Team Nutrition Grant to provide training for School Nutrition Professionals Readiness & Retention, I hold the role as Grant Project Director.

The experiences I obtained from NDSU have stacked to supply stairs to where I am at today. Although the list could be much longer, here are a few examples to share: managing the 800 Café provided practical tasks which helped to prepare me for the professional roles I held in food service management while starting a restaurant in the facility I managed. While completing community food service hours at NDSU Dining, I became a MyPlate Ambassador, promoting ‘MyPlate’ in the Campus Dining Hall. Fast forward to the current day, I have the direct opportunity to work with USDA meal programs promoting meal pattern compliance. Lastly, NDSU encouraged us to give back, and I have been fortunate to be a preceptor for students.

NDSU Dietetics (former Nutrition Science) Program encouraged me to become a lifelong learner and become locally involved. Soon after graduation, I realized I missed the connections available on campus and became involved with the Fargo Moorhead Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (FMAND), which I am still involved with today. Being a Dietitian in North Dakota is like living in a small town; you get to know those ‘living’ in your community.

I am thankful for my education at North Dakota State University. I am proud to be a Bison and proud to give back as a team member of the State of North Dakota.

My name is Emma Smith, MS, RD, and I am a registered dietitian and assistant professor in the Nutrition and Dietetics program at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Since graduating from NDSU, I have worked in a variety of settings, including inpatient and outpatient clinical, community, and foodservice. Three years ago, I transitioned into the world of academia, and I am now teaching a variety of nutrition and food science courses. I am currently completing a doctorate in educational leadership and have focused my research on food insecurity and food literacy. Although I have enjoyed every position I have held as an RD, I truly feel like I have found my place in higher education, teaching and advising future registered dietitians. NDSU's dietetics (former Nutrition Science) program exposed me to many different settings and ways in which we can use our nutrition knowledge to help others. NDSU provided me with a well-rounded education and gave me the confidence to work in multiple settings and areas of dietetics.

My name is Brittany Twiss, MS, RD, CDCES, and I am a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist at Sanford Health. I specialize in outpatient adult and pediatric nutrition, with a primary focus on diabetes care and education. I earned both my Bachelor of Science in Dietetics (former Nutrition Science) and Master of Science in Exercise and Nutrition Science (thesis track) from North Dakota State University.

I joined Sanford Health in December 2018 as an inpatient dietitian working with adult patients. While completing my master's degree and serving as a graduate assistant under Dr. Elizabeth Kar at NDSU, I worked part-time before transitioning to my current outpatient role in 2021.

As a CDCES, I provide diabetes self-management education and support for individuals with type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. My role includes educating patients on nutrition, diabetes medications, insulin therapy, and diabetes technology, I analyze glucose trends, help patients troubleshoot barriers to glycemic management, and collaborate with primary care providers and endocrinologists regarding potential medication adjustments and individualized treatment plans. As an outpatient dietitian, I also provide medical nutrition therapy for obesity and other chronic disease states. In pediatrics, I primarily work with children and adolescents with newly diagnosed type 1 and type 2 diabetes, weight management concerns, and celiac disease.

My education at NDSU prepared me well for my current role in several ways. Medical Nutrition Therapy and Metabolism provided a strong foundation in disease pathophysiology and evidence-based nutrition care. The Nutrition Care Process taught me how to develop individualized, patient-centered treatment plans. Additionally, both my undergraduate and graduate education emphasized critical appraisal of research, reinforcing the importance of providing evidence-based nutrition and diabetes education while helping patients navigate the overabundance of health misinformation.

The NDSU Dietetics and Exercise and Nutrition Science programs, along with the mentorship of faculty members, played an invaluable role in my professional development. The knowledge, critical thinking skills, and commitment to lifelong learning I gained continue to shape my practice and help me provide high-quality, evidence-based care to my patients every day.