Development of a Sustainable Mentorship Program: Registered Dietitian Nutritionists Mentoring Undergraduate Dietetics Students

Formal mentoring programs for dietetics students are limited, a critical gap in student application of learning. The educational program evaluated in this study was a structured project-based mentorship program between registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) and students in a didactic program in dietetics (DPD). There were 57 participants in our twosemester program, launched between a large university and a local dietetic association. The program resulted in high satisfaction ratings and strong interest in participating in the future program due to a reported increase in knowledge of concepts in the dietetics field from mentors and mentees involved. This program model has the ability to be adapted for launch at other DPD programs around the country to provide students with valuable hands-on experience in the field.