Students

Find out more information from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics about becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Dietetics Technician, Registered (DTR) including pathways to the credentials, types of accredited dietetics education programs, financial aid, salaries, career outlook, and more. View the Accredited Program Directory to learn more about the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) Programs offered in Illinois. 

Just passed your RDN or DTR exam? Search our job postings

Get Involved with the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics!

• Student Membership Benefits and Career Resources 

Volunteering is a great way to meet and network with dietitians in Illinois, develop professional skills, and support your local organization. Start by filling out our volunteer interest survey. We have many committees for student members to start getting involved.

The Illinois Academy Pathway to Leadership program is an eight month commitment aimed at developing the skills of future leaders in the nutrition and dietetics related careers spanning across district, state and national levels. Students work under the guidance of various Illinois Academy committees to gain extensive experience in five focus areas.  

The purpose of the Outstanding Dietetics Student Award program is to recognize the emerging leadership and achievement of students in ACEND-accredited and approved dietetics education programs and encourage their participation in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The Illinois Academy is allowed to recognize one student from each type of dietetics education programs.

Dear ACEND Accredited Program Director, 

 

The Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (IAND) is introducing a new program to recognize students. This program will provide Honor Cords to eligible graduates of ACEND accredited nutrition programs. We have attached a document with our plan for implementation and Honor Cord requirements for graduates. This is an opportunity for your students to build upon their service, leadership and learning opportunities while being recognized by the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.  Once the students have completed their minimum of 10 hours/points (see attachment) they can send their completed packets to [email protected]. 

Students may also apply to be involved in the process of reviewing Honor Cord requirements. We will select 2-3 students to participate in the Student Honor Cord Committee. To be eligible for consideration, application packets must be completed and submitted via email by 03/01/25. See the attached document for the items needed.  

If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact (Membership Committee Co-Chairs) Dr. Paula Sochacki or Dr. Catherine Arnold @ [email protected])

This career development opportunity for dietetics students offers the chance to share your work with state-level professionals on the Illinois Academy website. This may be particularly helpful to graduate students or beginning investigators. During the week of the Spring Assembly, posters and presenters will be evaluated by the professional development committee with the highest scoring poster being awarded a $100 gift card.

Spring Assembly

Interested in attending Spring Assembly 2026? Don't miss out on this chance to network with aspiring dietitians and gain additional knowledge on a variety of topics. Illinois dietitians have the opportunity to sponsor IAND students to attend when they register. To be considered for this sponsorship, IAND dietetic students will need to submit an application and be able to attend this learning event. Students that are sponsored will also have the opportunity although not required, to introduce speakers.  

Student Feedback from Spring Assembly 2024

"The Illinois Spring Assembly opened my eyes to the vast opportunities that being a registered dietitian presents to you. As a future RD, I know that I can work in an area that I love, whether or not it currently exists. It is amazing the places being an RD will take you, and there is no reason to be working in a position that you do not love. The field of nutrition and dietetics is a tight knit community and being involved in the academy is so important to continue to advance the profession."

Pictured left to right: Charlyn Fargo Ware (Illinois Academy President), Lauri Wright (Academy President) and Ben Waller (2024 Student Host)

Updated June 2025