Get to know your RDs

What brought you to IU?
Lauren: I graduated from IU in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics. To expand my exposure to the field of dietetics beyond the classroom, I began working for IU Dining as a nutrition assistant for Rachel.

During my dietetic internship, I found out that IU Dining was expanding their nutrition team and seeking a second registered dietitian. I enjoyed working with the IU Dining team during my undergraduate studies, so I was thrilled to acquire the job.

What inspired you to become a dietitian?
Rachel: At a young age I observed my grandma’s cooking (her parents spoke German), and my mom involved my sister and me in showing us how to bake. Since then, I’ve loved trying recipes, especially seeing how to make them nutrient-rich and taste good. My mom is a breast cancer survivor. She focuses on plant-based foods now and has since been cancer free and hasn't needed any medications. I grew up with my dad, loving what he did as a chiropractor. He was able to make a difference in many patients’ lives in his 40 years of practice. With these influences, my parents connected me to local registered dietitians, which encouraged me to study food and nutrition in college at Bluffton University in Ohio.

What do you like most about your job?
Lauren: My favorite aspect of my job is, without a doubt, the people I work with. I am incredibly fortunate to appreciate the team I work with and enjoy interacting with and meeting students.

Rachel: I agree with Lauren! We always get to learn new things as we tackle new projects and enhance ways to meet students’ dietary needs.

How long have you been with IU Dining?
Rachel: I was hired at IU in April 2009, and have worked for our department for close to 15 years. My tasks have changed greatly in those years with new technology we continue to implement such as Grubhub and digital menus. We had a different dining director at that time who had worked at IU for 50 years when she retired! Fifteen years ago, there were not nearly as many students reporting severe food allergies and diet restrictions.

I remember gathering ideas from parents of students with celiac disease on gluten-free bread products. This led us to set up Udi’s gluten-free bread on campus. The amount of specialty allergen-friendly products has grown immensely since then, and we have been well supported by our vendors to set them up for our dining locations.

What is your day to day-to-day work life like?
Lauren: Every day is unique, which is something I enjoy. Some days I work more behind the scenes, assessing and modifying recipes or nutrition information for new items, while others I am out and about meeting with students and chefs.

How do you find out about students that have food allergies on campus?
Rachel: Many parents and prospective IU students with dietary needs connect with Lauren and me when they are researching and visiting universities. Our dining team speaks to many incoming students over the summer at New Student Orientation as well! We partner with the great staff in Housing Assignments to receive a report of students who note a special dietary need or severe food allergy on their housing application. This allows us to build a contact list and offer to meet with them when they arrive on campus in August.

What are your favorite foods to prepare at home for your family?
Lauren: I enjoy preparing Mediterranean-style meals for my family. In my cooking, I strongly emphasize veggies, legumes, heart-healthy fats, and whole grains.

What are your hobbies outside of work?
Lauren: Outside of work, my interests include everything outdoors. I enjoy camping, hiking, boating on Lake Monroe, and traveling. I also love reading, cooking, and spending time with my family.

Rachel: My husband and I enjoy hosting in our home, staying connected in our local church in town, and playing with our 16-month-old boy, Eli. I enjoy local 5k races (ex..Mag7 Series), trail running, and running with groups of friends. I’ve been grateful to have the opportunity to run marathons over the years. A few I have run include New York, Phoenix, Nashville, Traverse City, Chicago and Boston (‘13)!

What is something you’d love to let students with food allergies know?
Rachel: Though IU is a large university, we love to meet individually with students. The earlier we get to know you, your needs, and challenges, the better we can ensure you can dine safely on campus. Something our dining director has reminded us of is, “Feedback is the breakfast of champions.”

Lauren: I would like to let students with food allergies know that we are there for them and want to help. We are always happy to meet with students and help them find foods that meet their needs.