FALL Season in michigan!
Michigan Fall is not just a chilly season. It offers a perfect blend of vibrant colors and delicious flavors. As the leaves turn brilliant shades of red and yellow, the crisp air sets the stage for seasonal treats. Farmers' markets brim with apples, pumpkins, and squash, inspiring everything from homemade pies to hearty soups. Whether you're savoring a fresh apple cider doughnut or warming up with a bowl of pumpkin soup, Michigan's fall is a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds.
Faculty Updates
Publication by Heather L Hutchins-Wiese, PhD, RD, (EMU alumna) Shawndra Powell, MS, RD, Veteran (E4, MMN3), USN, Olivia Ford, PhD, MPH, RD, Trimble Spitzer, MC, USAF:
MANDY NIEMIEC
Mandy Niemiec MS, RD (EMU alumna) provided 15 years of service in the role of College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) advisor before moving on to new opportunities, and has been provided the title of "Emeritus Staff". During her time as an advisor, Mandy advocated for students' success and has always been deeply involved in working toward students' best interests. She has been able to maintain hundreds of relationships with students, while also using her expansive knowledge of EMU and other programs to assist in growing EMU Dietetics. Her advising and mentorship is held in high esteem by students and faculty. Congratulations, Mandy!
Student highlights
The Student Dietetic Association (SDA) is a professional student organization at EMU that hosts guest speakers, activities, volunteering, social events, and fundraising as ways to increase and support the academic and professional achievement of the EMU Dietetics students.
We caught up with Allison Snyder recently, SDA president, about her role and excitement for the upcoming year. This fall, the SDA already went together to an apple orchard to encourage student bonding, as well as a group study time to support the cohorts in succeeding in their courses. See below, their September newsletter, to learn more.
Alumni News
CP alumna and M.S. in Human Nutrition alumna Nickie (Jaqueline) Michaelis shared, "I’m happy to share that I’ve obtained a new certification: Board Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition from Commission On Dietetic Registration." Congratulations Nickie!
Rachel Strodel
Rachel is a recent EMU Dietetics graduate (2024). Her first career was in fashion in New York, but she decided to follow her passion for nutrition after COVID. She moved with her husband to Michigan and began her journey at EMU in the Dietetics program. EMU’s program prepared her for an exciting opportunity with 5 Healthy Towns Foundation, which is a grant-funded program dedicated to working with 5 Southeastern Michigan towns to create programs that cultivate improvements in community and personal wellness within the communities.
5 Healthy Towns provided an event called Farm to Table. Rachel explained that this community-centered event was a meal provided by local farmers in Michigan, as well as local restaurants. The event was hosted in Dexter, Michigan this year, and they had many vendors that donated items and food that could be bid on by those in attendance. Rachel loved the community and local support of everyone who came to the event. All the money raised was donated to the local farmer’s markets to help with costs associated within each of the 5 towns.
Rachel confirmed that her supervised practice experience and community nutrition classes at EMU were of great benefit to her work in 5 Healthy Towns. She was able to create nutrition education materials that were used in the local farmer’s market. Her focus of choice was fiber, and she created handouts, and recipe cards. Rachel is pictured at the event table with her education materials.
A Farm to School event included the local schools creating gardens for kids at school. Rachel was ecstatic to be part of something that teaches kids how food impacts them and positively influences their relationship with food.
Rachel has been very involved in community nutrition since her time at EMU, while she has also been studying for the RD exam. Her devotion and passion towards the topic is inspiring, and it is wonderful to speak with Rachel and learn more about where she is after her time at EMU! Congratulations, Rachel!
Alex Root
Alex Root, EMU Dietetics class of 2024 and owner of Rooted In Dietetics LLC, has unveiled three innovative workshops tailored specifically for firefighters, now conveniently accessible through the State of Michigan LARA website. Operating independently, Alex has joined forces with mindfulness expert and EMU alumna Sarah Ruhland, along with trauma specialist and interpersonal therapist Kate Castle. Alex has developed workshops named "Fire Up Your Performance" and "Mental Health Lunchbox," aimed at enhancing both physical readiness and mental resilience among Michigan firefighters. The funding for these workshops stems from taxes on firework purchases in the state, thereby directly benefiting fire departments statewide. Alex Root expresses her enthusiasm, stating, "I am elated to fulfill my purpose and contribute on a broader scale." This collaborative effort underscores a pioneering approach to supporting the well-being of our first responders through integrative dietary and psychological strategies.
"I created 3 workshops for firefighters that were approved this week and are accessible across the entire state of Michigan through the LARA website! I set it up so I can either work alone, or work with a yogi specializing in mindfulness or a social worker who practices interpersonal therapy and specializes in PTSD and trauma. The taxes from fireworks will essentially help fire departments pay for these workshops. I am excited to have my purpose and help on a wider scale." Congratulations, Alex!
Julie Andrews
Julie graduated with the EMU Dietetics class of 2010, distance-online, and has recently become an author/editor of Taste of Home Magazine. Congratulations, Julie!
Sarah Amidon
Sarah Amidon, MS, RDN, alumna class of 2022, was recently accepted as a speaker for the Integrative Healthcare Symposium in NYC in February 2025. She will be co-presenting with her mentor in genomics, Amanda Archibald, RD, and Yael Joffe, PhD, RD, the founder of 3x4 Genetics, one of the main DNA testing companies I she uses in hr practice (https://www.rootandfruitnutrition.com/). Their presentation is called: Flying Blind: Can You Afford Not to Use Genomics With Your Patients?
Sarah writes about the planned presentation: Genetic testing has emerged as an invaluable tool in clinical practice, yet it’s potential is often overlooked and under-valued. In this session we challenge both ourselves and you the clinician to uncover and reveal the inherent clinical value of genetic testing. This session will unveil the power of genomics to guide precise, insightful, efficient, and impactful clinical interventions.
Learning objectives for this program include:
- Determine the potential value of genomics in clinical practice
- Describe how genetics and genomics impacts biochemistry and physiology
- Understand the connection between the genome, nutritional biochemistry, and practical dietary recommendations
- Demonstrate how genomics can be integrated into treatment workflows to enhance clinical decision-making
The whole conference program (registration is open): https://www.ihsymposium.com/conference-program/
Sarah's speaker bio: https://www.ihsymposium.com/speaker/sarah-amidon/
Congratulations, Sarah!
Marc Giant
EMU Dietetics class of 2016 alumni, Marc Giant, RD, has written a weight loss journey book that was published in August 2024. Congratulations, Marc!
EMU dietetics on instagram
Dr. Judi Brooks memorial Scholarship update
Students, colleagues, and friends of the late Judi Brooks, PhD, RD still fondly remember and envision her teaching in the Marshall Building. She mentored many graduate and undergraduate students in her 23 years at EMU and was more than a professor of nutrition and dietetics. For many, Dr. Brooks was more than a teacher—she was a role model, parental figure, and trusted confidante. She brought a very caring and warm presence to her classes and students appreciated her knowledge and encouragement. Dr. Brook’s exceptional record of teaching, research, service, and collegiality over the years has enriched and left a long-lasting legacy in the Dietetics program, Human Nutrition program, School of Health Sciences, and the university. Dr. Brooks passed away on Feb. 21, 2022 and is greatly missed by her School of Health Sciences colleagues, university colleagues, students, and alumni.
In April 2022, Dr. Judi Brooks was awarded posthumous recognition as Emeritus Faculty.
A memorial scholarship has been established in Judi's memory to support nutrition and dietetics students. To make a gift of any size visit https://www.emich.edu/foundation/give/index.php?fund=02727 (linked) or mail a check to the EMU Foundation c/o Judi Brooks Memorial Scholarship, PO Box 972057, Ypsilanti MI 48197.
We are excited to share that we have reached our goal of $10,000 donated! At the same time, we encourage all to continue to donate to support our EMU nutrition and dietetics students.
Thank you for remembering Dr. Brooks and her contributions to our programs and the university. For questions about this fund, reach out to Christa Reid, Director of Development at CReid20@emich.edu.
Contact Us With Your News
Do you have any updates for our next newsletter?
Please let us know! We'd love to share updates on employment changes, publications, new opportunities, and other successes. Please provide any updates to Sandy Pernecky, MS, RDN at spernecky1@emich.edu. Thanks for considering!
Thanks to Emily Manasian, our new EMU GA, who provided support and wonderful effort and writing/editing skill for this edition.