Diversity, Equity and Inclusion ACEND Resources

ACEND^® will not tolerate any instances of inequity nor discrimination in our nutrition and dietetics education programs.

The links below provide information and resources to assist nutrition and dietetics faculty and preceptors on the topic of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). ACEND^® is in the process of developing a library of reputable educational materials on DEI. This page will be updated on a regular basis with new resources. If you need further assistance, please contact ACEND Staff.

• July 2020 Message from the ACEND^® Board
• June 2020 Message from the ACEND^® Board
• A Story on the Journey of Perseverance in Becoming a RDN Leader
• 1998-2020 Diversity Enrollment Trends

DEI Noteworthy Practices

ACEND^® has begun to identify Noteworthy Nutrition and Dietetics Education Practices on the topic of diversity, equity and inclusion among ACEND^®-accredited programs. We would like to highlight programs for their DEI noteworthy practices on the ACEND^® website. The next due date for noteworthy practice submissions is October 15, 2021.

Noteworthy practices in the following DEI topic areas are requested:

• Holistic Admissions Process/Procedure 
• Recruitment and admission practices that encourage diversity
• Retention practices and program activities that support students/interns with diverse needs
• Training activities for faculty and/or preceptors
• Educational activities in the classroom and/or during supervised practice
• Other activities that promote DEI

Program directors or other individuals associated with an ACEND^®-accredited program are asked to complete the submission form of their DEI noteworthy practice and email it to ACEND^® for review. Submissions will be reviewed by an ACEND^® Board review team and selected entries will be posted.

• Download a submission form

Email completed submission forms to ACEND@eatright.org with the subject line: DEI Noteworthy Practice Submission. View Noteworthy Practice Rubric used by ACEND’s DEI Task Force.

Resources

 ACEND Series of Webinars on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Supporting and Building Resilience in BIPOC Students and Dietetic Interns

Date: September 14, 2021
Time: 5:00 -6:30 p.m. (Central time)

• Webinar Information
• Register

Closing Equity Gaps in Higher Education: Lessons for Leveling the Playing Field for All Students

Date: November 16, 2021
Time: 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Central time)

• Webinar Information
• Register

Supporting our LGBTQ Students and Dietetic Interns

 Date: February 8, 2022
Time: 11:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m. (Central time)

• Webinar Information
• Register

Legal and Ethical Admissions Processes that Promote Diversity Webinar

• Presentation Recording
• Presentation Slides
• Recording CPEU Certificate

Strengthening the Patient Connection: Deconstructing the Complexity of Racism and Food Webinar

• Presentation Recording
• Presentation Slides
• Recording CPEU Certificate

Help all Students to Thrive: An Introduction to Culturally Sustaining Teaching

• Presentation Recording
• Presentation Slides
• Recording CPEU Certificate

Holistic Admission Resources

Improving diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education is a complex issue that requires strong leadership and thoughtful and comprehensive changes. Below, find resources about implementing a holistic admissions process that is fair and inclusive.

• Association of American Medical Colleges Holistic Review Toolkit
• Roadmap for Diversity and Educational Excellence
• Holistic Admissions for a Stronger Graduate Program

Recorded Sessions

• NDEP Diversity and Inclusion in Dietetics Webinar
• Combating Unconscious Bias and Preventing Microaggressions: A Professional Duty FNCE 2019 Presentation
• ACEND Microaggression Webinar
• FNCE Session: Beyond the World Foods Course: Diversifying Educational Spaces in Dietetics
  This session, held during FNCE, addresses why increased diversity is vital to the success of dietetics students, practitioners, and the profession, and will offer educators and preceptors resources to help them develop strategies to meet ACEND standards, cultivate cultural humility, and foster diversity within their programs.

Speakers: Tamara Melton, MS, RDN and Hannah Thornton, MS, RD, LD

• Session Recording
• Handout: Beyond the World Foods Course Diversifying Educational Spaces in Dietetics Handout

This content is provided for informational purposes only. If you are looking to obtain CPEUs for participation, please see one of the following:

• FNCE® 2020 Attendees: View recorded sessions on the conference website
• Didn't Attend FNCE® 2020? You can access the session for CPE
  

Articles and Books

• How to Challenge Systematic Racism
  This article offers short-and-long term steps that higher education administrators and faculty can take to make incremental and transformative changes on campus and in the classroom.
• Won't Lose this Dream
  This book describes Georgia State University's journey to become the national leader at eliminating achievement gaps based on race, ethnicity, and income.

Website Links

• Academy Diversity and Inclusion Resources
• Diversify Dietetics Resources include the self-study program "Supporting Equitable Dietetics Education" with reflection exercises to help cultural humity.
• Boston Alliance for Diversity in Dietetics Resources

Check back soon for upcoming webinars and resources.