Program Reviewer Responsibilities

ACEND^® is seeking educators from each of the accredited program types (DTR, DPD, DI and CP) and practitioners who represent major areas of dietetics practice to become reviewers of ACEND-accredited education programs. This volunteer position is an excellent way to gain leadership experience and skills.

General Qualifications

1. Registered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)
2. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics membership preferred
3. Master's or higher degree preferred
4. Willing to provide professional leadership
5. Employed in education or practice for more than three years
6. Have a commitment to quality nutrition and dietetics education programs
7. Represent major areas of nutrition and dietetics practice
8. Represent different geographical areas of the United States
9. No conflict of interest through outside interests or outside activities
   • Outside Interests:
     • A Contract or Transaction between ACEND and/or the Academy and an ACEND Reviewer or family member (spouse, parent, child or spouse of a child, brother, sister, or spouse of a brother or sister).
     • A Contract or Transaction between ACEND and/or the Academy and an entity in which an ACEND Reviewer or family member has a Material Financial Interest (a financial interest of any kind, which, in view of all the circumstances, is substantial enough that it would, or reasonably could, affect a Responsible Person’s or Family Member’s judgment with respect to transactions to which the entity is a party) or of which such person is a faculty member, administrator, director, officer, agent, partner, associate, trustee, personal representative, receiver, guardian, custodian, conservator or other legal representative.
   • Outside Activities:
     • A Responsible Person competing with ACEND and/or the Academy in the rendering of services or in any other Contract or Transaction (agreement or relationship involving the sale or purchase of goods, services, or rights of any kind, the providing or receipt of a loan or grant, or the establishment of any other type of pecuniary relationship with ACEND and/or the Academy) with a third party.
     • A Responsible Person's having a Material Financial Interest in, or serving as a director, officer, employee, agent, partner, associate, trustee, personal representative, receiver, guardian, custodian, conservator or other legal representative of, or consultant to; an entity or individual that competes with ACEND and/or the Academy in the provision of services or in any other Contract or Transaction with a third party.

ACEND covers travel-related costs to attend training workshop and site visits.

Benefits

• Up to 32 continuing professional education credits in the first three-year term, from new program reviewer training, training modules, annual mandatory program reviewer training and more.
• Potential credit toward professional service requirements for promotion and tenure.
• Learning about other dietetics education programs.
• Eligibility to become an ACEND board member.
• Establishing new professional networks with educators and practitioners.
• Gaining knowledge that can help prepare you for your own program or organization's accreditation review.
• Staying current with education requirements and practice expectations, and contributing to the advancement of the profession.

Q&A Sessions

Applicants are encouraged to attend a Q&A session to provide more information about the program reviewer role. These sessions are optional but recommended. Our next Q&A session will be held on:

February Applicants Webinar

• Date: March 6, 2025
• Time: noon – 1 p.m. (Central time)
• Webinar Access | Password: ACENDPR25

Selection Process

The ACEND Nominating Committee reviews all complete applications which includes two references who may be contacted. The ACEND Nominating Committee recommends qualified candidates who meet current reviewer pool needs to the ACEND board for appointment approval. Applicants are notified of the ACEND Board's decision within one month of the board meeting when program reviewers are appointed.

• October applicants will be reviewed at the December board meeting.
  Applicants have until November 15 at 11:59 p.m. (Central time) to rescind their application.
• February applicants will be reviewed at the April board meeting.
  Applicants have until March 15 at 11:59 p.m. (Central time) to rescind their application.

Two-Part Training Process and Timeline to First Site Visit

October Applicant Timeline:

• Appointed reviewer receives virtual self-paced training (part 1) by January 15; training must be completed by February 15
• Three-year term begins June 1
• Reviewer attends in-person training in Chicago, Ill. (part 2) in March
• Program reviewer attends first site visit as a second accompanying (trainee) during the July-December site visit cycle

February Applicant Timeline:

• Appointed reviewer receives virtual self-paced training (part 1) by May 15; training must be completed by June 15
• Three-year term begins June 1
• Program reviewer attends first site visit as a second accompanying (trainee) during the following years' January-March site visit cycle
• Reviewer attends in-person training in Chicago, Ill. (part 2) in March following their first site visit

Training

All newly appointed reviewers must complete the part 1 virtual self-paced training prior to participating in an onsite site visit. Part 2 in-person training must be completed prior to continuing as a program reviewer and participating in additional onsite site visits.

Email questions to ACEND