Rae Ann Chilton said helping students mirrored her own undergraduate experience and allowed her to pay back the guidance she received.
"For 12 years I supervised interns from the dietetic program who came through ISU Dining. I loved it because I think everyone needs a mentor, someone to guide you.
"After my first year in college, I realized I didn't know what I wanted to do. I just happened to go to LeBaron Hall one afternoon and there was (former food science and human nutrition associate professor) Doug Lewis eating lunch. He took the time to talk to me about the dietetic program, and it was like, 'Wow, this person gets me.' If it wasn't for Doug sharing that information, I probably wouldn't have come to realize dietetics was the right fit for me."
Chilton said that experience influenced her efforts with ISU Dining student interns, making sure they had both responsibilities and a path to provide input to ISU Dining.
"When I had interns, I always tried to get to know them better and tailor their experience to what they were passionate about. Making that connection and encouraging them to think about the future can put them on the path they really want.
"We are here to teach. Mentoring also is a way for me to give my education back to the next person," she said.
