LAUSR

In many undergraduate dietetics programs, there are limited mentoring programs outside of the classrooms for students. We describe the development and evaluation of a project that connected dietetics students to Registered Dietitian Nutritionist mentors in the community. An online survey provided project descriptions available to dietetics students, where they ranked the Registered Dietitian Nutritionists they wanted to be matched with for the experience. Mentor-mentee matches resulted in positive improvements; students reported that they had gained knowledge and improved skills and dietitians cultivated leadership skills. Such project-based mentoring programs can connect students to practicing professionals, providing hands-on field experience.