Sources: Katie Hamm, katieann@k-state.edu;
and Deborah Canter, 785-532-5507, canter@k-state.edu
Friday, Feb. 22, 2008
K-STATE STUDENT FROM SHAWNEE SELECTED AS ALTERNATE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE TO NATIONAL DIETETICS ACCREDITATION COMMISSION
MANHATTAN -- Katie Hamm, a senior in dietetics at Kansas State University, has been selected as the alternate student representative on the American Dietetic Association's Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education.
The commission is the association's accrediting agency for education programs preparing students for careers as registered dietitians or registered dietetic technicians. It serves the public by establishing and enforcing eligibility requirements and accreditation standards that ensure the quality and continued improvement of nutrition and dietetics education programs.
"Only one dietetics student in the United States is picked to serve on the commission each year, so Katie's selection as the student alternate is a huge honor for her and for K-State," said Deborah Canter, head of K-State's department of hotel, restaurant, institution management and dietetics.
Hamm, Shawnee, was nominated by Canter for the honor and then had to fill out an application form and participate in a phone interview. As the student alternate, she will attend any meetings that the student delegate is unable to attend.
A K-State honors list student, Hamm is currently a program assistant with K-State Research and Extension through the department of human nutrition. She is active with several organizations, including serving as president of the K-State Student Dietetic Association. She is a member of Chi Omega sorority and the Kansas State University Student Foundation. She also is assistant director of Up 'til Dawn. Hamm has been a counselor for the Wildcat Warm-up Program, and was a member of Silver Key, the sophomore honorary, and Quest, the freshmen leadership honorary. She has been the recipient of several scholarships, including the Human Ecology Fund, Mortar Board and the Bob and Chris Chalender Leadership scholarships.
"This summer I have the opportunity intern with Weber Shandwick, a public relations firm in Chicago that actually hires dietitians to work on their nutrition-related accounts," Hamm said. "I think the experience will definitely help me in pursuit of my future career goals."
After Hamm finishes her bachelor's degree in dietetics in May 2009, she will do a required postbaccalaureate dietetic internship. The internship placement is done by a national computer-matching process. She then would like to start her own nutrition communications practice.
A 2005 graduate of Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, Hamm is the daughter of Tim and Lori Hamm.