Lehigh University Dining employs student nutrition ambassadors

Lehigh University and dining services partner Sodexo have implemented a student nutrition ambassador program as a core part of their larger nutrition services operations, “Nourish Your Potential”. The goal is to foster student experience and peer-to-peer nutrition education.

These student interns, hired by Lehigh Dining, gain real-life work experience in the Nutrition Department while enjoying flexible schedules, opportunities for growth and development, paid training, and convenient on-campus work locations.

“We offer hands-on opportunities for students to build professional skills and explore other passions surrounding nutrition and food service,” said Registered Dietitian Keri Lasky.

Students receive food allergy and food safety training and support coordination of monthly nutrition educational events, presentations, health fairs, focus groups, and committee meetings.

Current student nutrition ambassadors include Justine Pavia, Maeve Diver, Cate Coffino, and Katherine Luskin.

Pavia is a senior at Lehigh University studying Philosophy and Global Community Health. She is planning on working in the field of nutrition, and her goal is to help people improve their health outcomes through eating. Justine has a background in the food and beverage industry.

Diver is a Lehigh sophomore studying population health with a concentration in biostatistics. As a student on the pre-med track, she is dedicated to the overall health and well-being of the student body.

Coffino, also a sophomore, is studying Sociology and Health, Medicine, and Society. She is very passionate about the link between nutrition and mental health.

Luskin is a Lehigh freshman studying Health, Medicine & Society and Psychology. While improving her diet as a young teen, she discovered a passion for nutrition and has more recently become interested in how to implement it for psychological purposes. Her long-term goal is to help people in a clinical setting, whether relating to nutrition or other health contexts.

Nutrition ambassadors work 4-6 hours per week, must be in good academic standing, and have an interest in nutrition and food service with a basic understanding of food-handling.