Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** nutrition education and…

Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** nutrition education and counseling are powerful tools to address the health disparities in the US, especially for non-communicable diseases. However, diversity in the dietetics profession is lacking. Notably, only 5% of nutrition and dietetics professionals identify as hispanic. North shore community college, a hispanic serving institution, has a 28% hispanic enrollment rate in a community withi a population of ~40% hispanics. IT boasts a rigorous 2-year associate degree program in nutrition science; however, the programis not accredited. This means that graduates cannot obtain registration and licensure to practice nutrition therapy after graduation. Effective 2024, education requirements to become a dietitian now require a graduate degree in addition to a dietetic internship, furthering the GAP between edcuation and practice. Just like other healthcare professionals, there is an entry-level credential nutrition students can obtain that would enable them to work under a dietitian (much like how a physician assistant works under a physician). The credential is dietetic technician, registered, or DTR. There are no accredited programs in massachusetts and only one in the entirety of new england. Healthcare leaders, such as boston childrens hospital, catholic medical center, and WIC centers are actively seeking dtrs but cannot fill vacant positions.given these predicatments, IT is the aim of the grant project to accredit the already existing nutrition program. This will allow graduates to become dtrs and work in the field within 2 years. And not just any graduates, but the focus is to attract hispanic students to the program and help them earn their degree and DTR credential. This can allow them to provide life changing nutrition therapy; empower their community members to live better lives; and reduce the economic burden on the current healthcare system. Because of strong community partnerships, hispanic graduates can choose to continue working as a DTR or transfer to a 4-year school, potentially with employer-sponsored tuition support, to earn a bachelor's or master's degree at their preference. Increasing the 2-, 4-year and beyond education of hispanics in the field of nutriton and dietetics has the potential to positively impact local, state, and national health initiativess.