THURS-069 - Leveraging Interdisciplinary Nutritional Knowledge Program: Academic Pipeline and Training to Develop the Latine Nutrition Workforce

Poster Presenter: Lilia Espinoza, PhD, MPH – Associate Professor & Vice Chair, Department of Public Health, California State University, Fullerton Author: Melawhy Garcia, PhD, MPH – Associate Professor, Department of Health Science, California State University, Long Beach Author: Natalia Gatdula, MPH – Associate Director, Center for Latino Community Health, California State University, Long Beach Author: Rita Higgins, MPH, RDN – Professor, Fullerton College Author: Jennifer Musick, MPH – Professor, Long Beach City College Author: Sarah Mathot, MS, RD – Professor and Chair, Santa Ana College Author: Jazmin Hurtado, MA – Counselor, Santa Ana College Author: Selena Nguyen-Rodriguez, PhD, MPH – Professor, California State University, Long Beach

Brief Abstract Summary: Hear about the utility of developing an academic pipeline across three community colleges and two 4-year university undergraduate and graduate programs to build, diversify, and sustain the next generation of the Latine food and human sciences workforce. Learn about four essential components to a pipeline: 1) educational workshops and recruitment activities at community colleges; 2) a one-year student training program for undergraduate and graduate students; 3) consortium of key administrative and faculty stakeholders to identify challenges and facilitators; and 4) advisory board. Discover process and outcomes measures to evaluate components. Recognize the importance of ongoing mentoring in each component to promote student academic success and retention and cultivate the next workforce. See how to implement these components within the context of available institutional and anticipated resources.

Detailed abstract description: Obesity and related comorbidities disproportionately affect U.S. Latines. Intervening on multilevel risk and protective factors requires culturally tailored strategies and a culturally proficient workforce to promote lifestyle changes. However, Latines seldom pursue advanced degrees in food and human sciences and are underrepresented in the workforce resulting in few culturally proficient professionals. Thus, increasing awareness, engagement, proficiency, and the number of Latines and other underserved students across the academic pipeline to enter these careers is vital. Collaborative partnerships among Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI), where at least 25% of students self-identify as Latine, play key roles in promoting student learning opportunities to better prepare Latines to enter the workforce.

The Leveraging Interdisciplinary Nutritional Knowledge (LINK) Program is a comprehensive HSI collaboration among three community colleges and two 4-year university undergraduate and graduate programs to promote student success and build, diversify, and sustain the next generation of the Latine food and human sciences workforce. California State University (CSU) Fullerton and CSU Long Beach are the two largest campuses of the public CSU system contributing to workforce development. Fullerton, Long Beach City College, and Santa Ana Colleges are large pathway community colleges into these CSU campuses.

The LINK Program consists of four main components and uses a mixed methods approach with process and outcomes measures to evaluate each one. Collaborators among the five HSI partners have facilitated 86 informational workshops and transfer orientations reaching 1,521 potential transfer students to increase awareness of academic programming. Community college faculty liaisons also provide tailored advising and mentorship, connecting students to resources. Second, 26 undergraduate and graduate students participated in the LINK Scholars Program, a yearlong student training program on Latine nutrition and chronic disease prevention aimed at preparing students for the food and human sciences workforce. Programming incorporated high-impact practices, consisting of a 40-hour orientation and training; 40 hours of research training and professional development learning communities; 6 leadership-focused workshops based on the Social Change Model of Leadership Development; experiential learning through research and community-based learning (320 hours); and ongoing mentoring. Third, a consortium of administrative and faculty representatives convened to align efforts across the five HSIs to support transfer student academic development and success. Finally, an advisory board of 12 faculty from graduate programs with emphases in food and human sciences-related fields provided guidance on the development and implementation of program activities to prepare students for graduate school and careers in Latine-focused nutrition and chronic disease prevention.