Congratulations to Jodie Seybold MS, RDN, LDN of Indiana who was named Outstanding Dietetic Educator of the Year from the Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The Outstanding Dietetic Educator Award recognizes the excellence of educators in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics accredited and approved dietetic education programs.
Seybold received her bachelor’s of science degree in dietetics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania [IUP] and went on to complete her dietetic internship and Masters of Science in Food and Nutrition from IUP. Currently Seybold is completing her Ph.D. in Administration and Leadership Studies at IUP. Seybold has been working in the IUP Department of Food and Nutrition as an instructor for the past 11 years, as well as been involved in various community nutrition activities within Indiana.

Jodie’s upbringing significantly influenced her relationship with food and choice for a career.  Jodie explained, “Growing up as a country girl, my family always had gardens.  We canned and froze much of what we grew.  We didn’t have a lot of money for vacations or the latest toys, but we always had food.  It was a central theme to celebrations, holidays, and impromptu get-togethers.  Daily family meals were also important to us.  It gave us a chance to sit down, even if was 8 o’clock at night after sports practices and games or band concerts and catch up on each other’s day.  Now, with a little one of my own, I understand why it is so important to have that face-to-face family meal time without tv or smart devices.  It keeps you in tuned to what is going on in each other’s lives, while ensuring everyone is getting the nourishment they need.

I continue the tradition of gardening and food preservation by planting my own garden and canning/freezing what we don’t consume or give to others.  My daughter’s first food was green beans I froze from my garden just before she was born.  That was a proud moment as a mom and dietitian.  I knew I worked hard to grow those green beans and took care in freezing them for the specific purpose of nourishing my child.  Food brings us together.  Good food keeps us going.  Food traditions keep us connected between the past and the future generations.”