Dr. Karen From, pictured instructing a quality foods lab, recently became a fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (Photo by Todd Weddle/Northwest Missouri State University)

Dr. Karen From, an assistant professor in Northwest Missouri State University’s School of Health Science and Wellness and the director of the University’s Didactic Program in Dietetics, recently became a fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

To be a fellow, an individual must have been a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for five years and spent five years working in full-time dietetics in addition to building credentials such as presenting at large national meetings, teaching, volunteering for state or national dietetics offices or committees and completing a doctorate degree. An individual’s accomplishments are weighed on a point scale and must equal 100 points before being awarded the Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition designation.

Becoming a fellow of the Academy distinguishes individuals from their peers. To receive the honor shows a high level of volunteerism and professionalism has been achieved.

From was encouraged to apply for the fellowship while completing her doctorate program.

“It helped me realize how much I had done,” From said. “You do so much in your professional world, and you think that everyone does that, and it’s common. Putting it down on a piece of paper really made me realize I have had the opportunity to immerse myself in many professional roles, and I’m very blessed and fortunate that I’ve been able to do them.”

From joined the Northwest faculty in 2009 and says her teaching philosophy has evolved through the years.

“My philosophy is to have an open mind,” From said. “I have a plan, but it’s not set in stone. Each semester, whatever class I’m teaching, I have a plan, but based on what that student group needs it may evolve and change because I need to meet their learning needs.”

In 2021, From was nominated for Northwest’s Student Impact Faculty Award, and she received a Dean’s Faculty Award for Teaching in 2015.

From says her favorite part of being a faculty member at Northwest is the students. She enjoys watching them learn and grow from their first year to graduation. She sees the honor of becoming a fellow of the Academy of Nutrition as a way to show students that they should never stop learning.

“Showing this drive, finishing my doctorate these past four years while teaching full time, I believe has been good for the students to see me still learning, pushing and striving,” From said.