Nutrition

philosophy

Effective educators have been paramount in my educational journey. Modeling that effectiveness to my students has been my primary goal as an instructor. Since the start of my own undergraduate studies at WCU, over eighteen years ago, I have had countless WCU faculty mentors who have shaped me into the educator I am today. Since the start of my teaching career as an adjunct instructor at WCU over eleven years ago, I have taught nutrition at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Teaching is a fine balance between tough-mindedness and tender-heartedness. I strive for effective teaching by clarifying my course expectations, holding students to the highest standards, yet at the same time displaying warmth, care, and concern. Creating this atmosphere in the classroom is very important to me because I want all of my students to feel like my classroom is a safe and inclusive space for interaction and mutual respect.

Education

Year	Degree	School/University	Location
2016	Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Management	Drexel University	Philadelphia, PA
2012	Master of Public Health	West Chester University	West Chester, PA
2010	Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics	West Chester University	West Chester, PA

Courses

Course Number	Course Name
NTD 200	Nutrition and Culture
NTD 300	Nutrition Pedagogy
NTD 301	Consumer Nutrition
NTD 303	Introductory Principles of Human Nutrition
NTD 320	Strategies in Dietetics
NTD 409	Professional Skills in Dietetics
NTD 420	Perspectives on Obesity
NTD 521	Dietetic Internship Supervised Practice Experience I
NTD 625	Nutrition Policies and Programs

Publications

Dirhan, D., Walz, S., & Harris, J. (2024). Didactic program directors favor nutrition general education courses in curricula. NDEP-Line. Spring 2024. 
 
Sarcona, A., & Dirhan, D. (2023). Incorporating intuitive eating education: the effects on dietetics students’ eating behaviors, body esteem, and self-efficacy, and the benefits translated to nutrition counseling. Journal of Dietetic Education, 1(1), 32-45. 
 
Sarcona, A. & Dirhan, D. (2023). Inclusive teaching strategies for dietetic educators in higher education. NDEP-Line. Summer 2023. 
 
Walz, S. & Dirhan, D. (2023). Let food labels guide your food choices: an innovative, consumer-friendly tool for comparing food and beverage products. NDEP-Line. Spring 2023. 
 
Sarcona, A., Lucas, L., & Dirhan, D. (2022). Faculty development: exploring well-being of educators. Academic Exchange Quarterly. 26(3), 1-7. Fall 2022. 
 
Dirhan, D. & Walz, S. (2022). Nutrition educators: advocating for introductory nutrition general education courses. The Educator’s Resource. 78(2), 6-9. 
 
Dirhan, D., & Sarcona, A. (2021). Students’ self-perceptions of mindfulness after learning mindfulness techniques in a professional skills course. 2021 International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd) Conference 
Proceedings. 
 
Dirhan D. (2019). Using kahoot in the college classroom. 2019 Hawaii International Conferences Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, & Education Conference Proceedings.  
 
Dirhan, D., & Sarcona, A. (2019). Self-efficacy in counseling with service learning. Academic Exchange Quarterly. Winter 2019. 
 
Sarcona, A., Dirhan, D., & Davidson, P. (2019). An overview of audio and written feedback from students’ and instructors’ perspective. Educational Media International.   
 
Sarcona, A., Ervin, M., Davidson, P., & Dirhan, D. (2018). Best practices to improve student’s writing skills. NDEP-Line. Winter 2018.  
 
Sarcona, A., Dirhan, D., & Davidson, P. (2018). Teaching tips. The Educator’s Resource. 74(1), 14.  
 
Williams, C., Sarcona, A., & Dirhan, D. (2017). Teaching media literacy and ad deconstruction for making healthier  food choices. Education and Health, 35(3), 56-57. 
 
Dirhan, D. (2017). Changes in fruit, vegetable, and fiber intake among college students: effects of an introductory  
nutrition course intervention. International Journal of Health Sciences and Research, 7 (5), 314-319.  
 

Presentations 

Dirhan, D. & Walz, S. (2024). DPD Director’s attitudes towards including nutrition general education courses in curricula. Delaware Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (DAND) Annual Conference, Millsboro, DE. 
 
Dirhan, D. & Walz, S. (2024). Partnering with the public: A unique way to interact with food labels.  
Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (PAND) Annual Meeting and Exposition (AME), Lancaster, PA. 
 
Holik, M., & Dirhan, D. (2023). I have an IDEA – patients, clients, and students who feel safe gain equal access. NDEP Annual Spring Meeting, Omaha, NE.  

Walz, S. & Dirhan, D. (2023). A Food Label Comparison Tool for SNAP Recipients. PA NEN Conference, State College, PA. 
 
Sarcona, A., & Dirhan, D. (2023). Intuitive Eating as a contemplative practice: What it can do for you and for students in higher education. Contemplative Practices for Higher Education Conference, Roanoke, VA.
 
Sarcona, A., Lucas, L., & Dirhan, D. (2022). Practicing presence for personal and professional well-being. Wisconsin Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (WAND) Annual Conference, Elkhart Lake, WI. 
 
Dirhan, D. & Walz, S. (2022). Advocating for nutrition as a general education course. Delaware Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (DAND) Annual Conference, Newark, DE. 
 
Dirhan, D. & Walz, S. (2022). Making the case for nutrition as a gen ed course. Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (PAND) Annual Meeting and Exposition (AME), Allentown, PA. 
 
Dirhan, D. & Walz, S. (2021). Making the case for nutrition as a gen ed course. The Ohio Nutrition and Dietetic Educators and Preceptors Annual Conference, Akron, OH. Virtual Format. 
 
Dirhan, D., & Sarcona, A. (2021). Students’ self-perceptions of mindfulness after learning mindfulness techniques in a professional skills course. HEA’d Virtual Conference, Valencia, Spain. Virtual Format. 
 
Dirhan, D., & Sarcona, A. (2020). Students’ self-perceptions of mindfulness after learning mindfulness techniques in a professional skills course. Contemplative Practices in Higher Education Conference, Roanoke, VA.
 
Dirhan, D., & Sarcona, A. (2020). Students’ self-perceptions of mindfulness after learning mindfulness techniques in a professional skills course. Faculty of the Future Conference, Newtown, PA. Virtual Format. 
 
Dirhan, D. & Wojcik, R. (2020). Escape the room! Teaching difficult concepts with active learning. Nutrition and Dietetic Educators and Preceptors Regional Spring Meeting, Manchester, NH. Conference canceled due to COVID-19. 
 
Dirhan, D., & Holik, M. (2019). Shake up classroom design and teach to the modern student. International Society for Exploring Teaching and Learning Conference, Charlotte, NC. 
 
Holik, M., & Dirhan, D. (2019). Be an advocate, not a witness: creating awareness creates inclusive and equitable spaces. International Society for Exploring Teaching and Learning Conference, Charlotte, NC. 
 
Sarcona, S., & Dirhan, D. (2019). Best practices for integrating feedback into teaching and scholarship. The Teaching Professor Conference, New Orleans, LA. 
 
Dirhan, D. (2019). Using kahoot in the college classroom. Hawaii University International Conferences Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences & Education (AHSE) Conference, Honolulu, HI. 
 
Williams, C., & Dirhan, D. (2018). Improve teaching efficacy and job satisfaction through mindfulness. International Society for Exploring Teaching and Learning (ISETL) Conference, Tempe, AZ. 
 
Dirhan, D., Sarcona, S., & Davidson, P. (2018). Students’ perceptions of self-efficacy in performing nutrition counseling after completion of a service-learning counseling project Faculty of the Future Conference, Newtown, PA.  
 
Sarcona, S., Dirhan, D., & Davidson, P. (2018). Best practices for integrating feedback into teaching and scholarship. The Nutrition and Dietetic Educators and Preceptors (NDEP) Eastern Region Conference, Charlotte, NC.  
 
Sarcona, S., Dirhan, D., & Davidson, P. (2018). Best practices for integrating feedback into teaching and scholarship. Scholarship of Teaching, Learning, and Assessment (SoTLA) Conference, West Chester, PA.
   

Memberships

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND)
Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (PAND)
Nutrition and Dietetic Educators and Preceptors (NDEP)
Nutrition Educators of Health Professionals (NEHP)
Religion Member Interest Group (RMIG)
PA Nutrition Education Network (PANEN)