Nutrition Liaison
Most academic departments at Simmons have an organization known as a liaison, which is comprised of students majoring in, or interested in, that field of study. Students are encouraged to become acquainted with the liaison members associated with each course that they take, as well as in their own department. Liaison members plan educational and social functions to bring students and faculty together.

Nutrition Liaison is a student organization consisting of all interested Nutrition majors. The group elects officers and meets as often as members choose. The purpose of the group, as the name suggests, is to serve as a liaison between the students and the faculty of the Programs in Nutrition. One member of the faculty serves as the group's advisor.

Through this medium the faculty can collectively inform the student of upcoming events in the Programs in Nutrition and solicit their opinion about changes in Programs in Nutrition activities, staffing and policy. The students provide the faculty with feedback and insight as to what they expect from the Programs in Nutrition. A member of Liaison is invited to attend monthly Programs in Nutrition faculty meetings to serve as the conduit of communications between the two groups.

The Nutrition Liaison plans and executes a number of events during the academic year. On-going fund raising is accomplished through food and vendor sales. (Some financial support is forthcoming each year through the Office of Student Activities.) Each year the Liaison sponsors a Career Night for both majors and potential majors. Other events include guest speakers and faculty-student luncheons to allow informal faculty and student interaction. A major event of the year is National Nutrition Month, during which time Liaison members organize and staff events and exhibits to reach all members of the Simmons community. These activities frequently extend into Alumnae activities, as requested.

Examples of student projects

Student projects in recent semesters have included:

Body Image Workshops conducted in Simmons Residence Halls

Nutrition exhibits and events created for the Boston Children's Museum

Weight Loss/Maintenance workshops facilitated in the Holmes Sports Center

Alumnae profiles

Nancy Clark, MS, RD
Nancy Clark is a Simmons graduate who has written three highly acclaimed books, The Athlete's Kitchen, Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guidebook, and The New York Marathon Cookbook. In addition, Clark has consulted on sports nutrition with such athletes as Kitty Caruthers, Olympic Skater, Brad Faxon, PGA golfer, Tim Mayotte, tennis player, and the Boston Celtics.

Debra Waterhouse, M.P.H., R.D.
Debra Waterstone is the author of the best-selling books Outsmarting the Female Fat Cell, and Why Women Need Chocolate. Waterhouse conducts seminars and workshops across the country that involve her many areas of expertise, including women's nutrition, weight control, eating disorders, fitness, cancer and other women's health issues.

Kathy McManus, M.S., R.D.
Director of Nutrition and Dietetics
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Kristann Wilmore Heinz, M.D.