01/26/2024
Meet our new faculty!
Dr. Betsy Cogan began her role in August 2023 as Assistant Professor and Didactic Program Director in the Nutrition and Dietetics department.
1. Tell us a little bit about your background and education.
I have completed a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from UW-Eau Claire in December 2014, a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from St. Catherine University in Spring 2018, a PhD in Nutritional Sciences from University of Georgia in August 2023, and became a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist in Fall 2023. I've worked as a Certified Personal Trainer and have interned in several different settings including, acute-care, out-patient bariatrics, dialysis, community nutrition, and school nutrition. I have also previously taught an introductory nutrition course and led various nutrition courses for college students prior to teaching at Concordia. My area of expertise per my PhD, is in vascular/cardiovascular physiology, human nutrition, metabolism, and cognitive function. However, I also have knowledge concerning taste preference, food science, and food safety. In addition to these academic pursuits/experiences, I have done some work as a scientific writer. In this role, I have worked on a team to write systematic reviews/meta-analyses.
2. What drew you to Concordia?
The opportunity to teach and mentor future dietitians is what drew me to apply for my current position. However, the culture and the students at Concordia is why I am here. When interviewing for the job I got to experience campus, meet with other faculty and administrators, and talk with students. Through these conversations, I got an overwhelming sense of home that confirmed that Concordia would be a good fit for me, my career, and my life.
3. What classes are you currently teaching?
I am currently teaching: FND 321—Nutrition, FND 601: Nutrition Education & Counseling, and FND 346: Quantity Foods.
4. What has been your favorite part about being a Cobber so far?
My favorite part about being a Cobber is how personal the classroom environment is compared to the larger lecture hall experiences I've had in college-settings. I really love that I have the time and ability to know my students and see their knowledge or excitement about Nutrition & Dietetics flourish.
