In This Story
"Participating in Legislative Day deepened my appreciation for the role of policy and reinforced my commitment to driving positive change through informed advocacy and collaborative efforts with policymakers and stakeholders.”
Katherine Surette
MS, Nutrition '25
For names of those pictured, see below.
On January 31, students and faculty in the College of Public Health’s Department of Nutrition and Food Studies took part in the Virginia Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics (VAND) Legislative Day. At the Virginia General Assembly 2024 session, faculty, staff, and sixteen students in the Master of Science in Nutrition, Dietetics concentration program met with state legislators to share their expertise and expand lawmakers’ knowledge about food, nutrition, and health.
“Faculty and staff in our nutrition and dietetics programs passionately care about legislation that affects our communities. We want legislators to know that here at Mason, we are professionally invested in the health and well-being of Virginia and that nutrition is at the very foundation of public health. Our work is to improve the health of US citizens; everything we do is to prevent disease, eliminate hunger, and assist with chronic disease management,” said Allison Miner, EdD, MS, RDN, assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies.
The Nutrition and Food Studies department recognizes the need for policy to advance access to healthy foods. Miner highlights how Legislative Day exemplifies the role nutrition plays in public health.
“Nutrition-related issues such as making school lunch free for Virginia students, increasing SNAP benefits for older adults, or advocating for grant money to feed low-income Virginia college students are directly related to the health and wellness of the United States," said Lilian de Jonge, PhD, interim department chair.
On the Front Lines of Advocacy and Policy Change
VAND’s mission is to support pending legislation important to progressing both the dietetic profession and food-related health in Virginia and across the nation. Priorities for this year were maternal health data and quality measures, school meals becoming available at no cost to students, and combating hunger on college campuses.
Alongside dietitians, dietetic students and interns, and citizens across Virginia, department representatives pushed for these policies to be prioritized.
By participating in VAND’s Legislative Day, students learned about public policy at the state and federal level, which will have a direct impact on the health and wellbeing of the patients, clients, and citizens they will serve as credentialed dietitians.
“We are educating future dietitians who will go on to careers in private practice, hospitals, government, non-profit organizations, and public policy. Showing students that they have direct access to the legislators who are passing bills that affect everyone has demonstrated the power they have as professionals,” said Miner.
Experiencing Change in Action
Katherine Surette (MS, Nutrition ‘25) valued the behind the scenes view of the legislative process. "Participating in Legislative Day provided a firsthand understanding of the intricate relationship between nutrition and policy. This experience deepened my appreciation for the role of policy and reinforced my commitment to driving positive change through informed advocacy and collaborative efforts with policymakers and stakeholders,” said Surette, who is in the registered dietitian concentration.
This was the first year the Department participated in VAND’s Legislative Day, and department leaders are planning for this to become an annual event Mason will attend.
Students, faculty, and staff met with state legislators who represent George Mason University as well as those who represent them where they reside. The legislative priorities for VAND included HB 169 Maternal Health Data and Quality Measures, Task Force (to reestablish), HB 686 School meals; availability at no cost to students, and HB 207 Hung-free Campus Grant Program.
Faculty, staff, and students in attendance included Lilian de Jonge (Chair, Nutrition and Food Studies Department), Sapna Batheja (Director, Dietetics MS Program), Allison Miner (Assistant Professor, Dietetics MS Program), and Allison McKay (Department Manager, Nutrition and Food Studies Department). Mason was also represented by members of the George Mason University Board, The President's Council and President Washington himself.
Students in attendance included Asma Benomran, Marcus Brick, Mary Christopher, Chia (Amy) Chun Chang, Toqa Elashry, Yu Ting (Helen) Huang, Eli Kalman-Rome, Khawlah Kheshaifaty, Jui-Ching Li, Courtney O'Loughlin, Mark Rudich, Kiranjyot Sawhney-Duran, Katherine Surette, Monica Vargas, Arleija Williams.
The group photo at the top of the story includes:
Faculty and staff first-row center: Lilian de Jonge (Chair, Nutrition and Food Studies Department), Allison McKay (Department Manager, Nutrition and Food Studies Department), Allison Miner (Assistant Professor, Dietetics MS Program), and Sapna Batheja (Director, Dietetics MS Program)
Students first row left to right: Asma Benomran, Monica Vargas Marcus Brick
Students second row left to right: Kiranjyot Sawhney-Duran, Eli Kalman-Rome, Mark Rudich, Chia (Amy) Chun Chang, Yu Ting (Helen) Huang, Jui-Ching Li, Toqa Elashry, Arleija Williams (top), Courtney O'Loughlin (bottom), Katherine Surette (top), Khawlah Kheshaifaty (bottom), Mary Christopher (top)