Shanklin receives Excellence in Practice for Dietetic Research Award
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
MANHATTAN — The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics will present Carol Shanklin, dean of Kansas State University's Graduate School and professor of hospitality management and dietetics, with its 2015 Excellence in Practice Dietetic Research Award.
The award recognizes outstanding registered dietitians and dietetic technicians who have demonstrated innovation, creativity and leadership in a specific area of practice and honors those who have demonstrated exceptional performance, made contributions to advancement of practice or have been effective in inspiring leaders in nutrition-related organizations.
Shanklin will accept the award at the 2015 Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo at the Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee, in October.
Kansas State University's Kevin Sauer, associate professor of hospitality management and dietetics, nominated Shanklin for the award.
"I could not think of any other registered dietitian who excels at the award criteria the way that Dr. Shanklin has and continues to do," Sauer said. "The primary criteria for this award includes exceptional performance in practice, contributions to the achievement of practice and leadership achievement — and these simply define her."
Shanklin's research has focused on food safety and biosecurity in food service operations, the improvement of food service operations in long-term care retirement communities, on alternative approaches to waste management and minimization of solid waste in food services operations. She is a member of the research team for the Center for Excellence in Food Safety Research in Child Nutrition at Kansas State University, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
"The overarching theme for Dr. Shanklin's nomination packet was 'Research through Relationships,'" Sauer said. "Through this theme, I wanted to convey not only her incredible research productivity and portfolio, but also her core value and passion for mentoring others. Her research contributions are balanced by innovation and practicality, while culminating in outstanding leadership and administration that focuses on measurable research."
Since joining the university in 1990, Shanklin has taught master's and doctoral courses in food service and hospitality management and has mentored many graduate students. She was named dean of the Graduate School in January 2009.
"Other traits that differentiate Dr. Shanklin from other candidates are her leadership experience and passion," Sauer said. "Her competencies as a researcher and graduate student research advisor, as well as her leadership capabilities, contributed to her selection as dean of the Graduate School. It is a full-time administrative leadership position, yet Dr. Shanklin continues to make significant research contributions to the university, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and other organizations."
Shanklin has served as the chair of the Midwest Association of Graduate Deans and as president of the Kansas Dietetic Association and, at the national level, has served the American Dietetic Association as the chair of the education committee, chair of the Council on Education, chair of the Commission on Dietetic Registration, chair of the research committee, and has represented Kansas as a member of the association's House of Delegates.
Shanklin received her bachelor's degree in home economics education from the University of Tennessee, Martin. She received both her master's degree and doctorate in home economics and food systems administration at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. With nearly 72,000 members, the Chicago-based academy strives to improve the nation's health through food and nutrition.
