Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA)

The MiAND IDEA Committee will actively seek out and implement effective strategies to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Michigan dietetics profession and among the people we serve, including Black/African Americans, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), and other disenfranchised groups.

Michigan Academy Inclusion Statement

The Academy has revised its title for “Diversity and Inclusion” to “IDEA” as below. Also, the IDEA Promotion Grant (up to $10,000 funding) is now available on an annual basis with a deadline of March 1.

  • IDEA Committee instead of Diversity and Inclusion Committee,
  • IDEA Leaders Program instead of Diversity Leaders Program,
  • IDEA Mini Grant instead of Diversity and Inclusion Mini Grant,
  • IDEA Promotion Grant instead of Diversity and Inclusion Promotion Grant, 
  • IDEA Award instead of Diversity and Inclusion Award, and
  • IDEA Liaisons instead of Diversity and Inclusion Liaisons  .

Important Information

If you would like to join the MiAND IDEA Committee to receive more information and to be on our email list, please complete and submit the sign up form below. Once your sign up information is received, we will be in contact with you. Please note that you must be a member of MiAND in order to join the IDEA committee.

IDEA Committee Sign-Up

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The MiAND IDEA committee is happy to provide the information below for organizations that offer scholarships and grants. Availability and application deadlines vary for each of these opportunities, so it’s important to check their websites frequently throughout the year so that you don’t miss your chance to apply!

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Interest Groups

The Academy has a wealth of scholarships offered by various member interest groups aimed at inclusions, diversity, equity, and access. Application deadlines vary for each group and you typically need to be a member of that interest group to apply.

Academy IDEA Promotion Grant

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ IDEA Promotion Grant provides an up to $10,000 grant to support diversity recruitment and retention projects by dietetics education programs accredited/approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, Academy affiliates, dietetic practice groups, and member interest groups. Applications are due March 1 of every year and details can be found at the link above.

Advancing Diversity in Dietetics Scholarship

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation’s Advancing Diversity in Dietetics Scholarship was established to support the educational advancement of aspiring registered dietitian nutritionists of diverse backgrounds or cultures. The scholarship aims to increase racial and ethnic diversity in the dietetics field to better reflect diverse communities served and to address underrepresentation and financial need.

Diversify Dietetics Scholarships & Grants

Diversity Dietetics works to attract, encourage, and empower BIPOC students who are pursuing a career in the field of nutrition and dietetics by helping to ease the financial burden. Awards are available at different times of the year, so check back on Diversify Dietetics often.

Equity Impact Scholarship

CommonSpirit presents Equity Impact Scholarship. Scholarship for skills-based learning, promoting inclusion, diversity, and equity in healthcare. Learn more about Equity Impact Scholarship.

MNDI Scholarship – Vera Thompson Scholarship

In addition to the general MNDI criteria for scholarships, this scholarship ($1500.00) will be awarded to a student or intern who identifies as Black or African American.

Volunteer Pool

If you are interested in signing up to be in our IDEA Volunteer Pool on an “as needed” basis, please complete the following contact information form. You will receive an email confirmation that you have been added to the IDEA Volunteer Pool list, and when an IDEA event or project becomes available, you will be contacted with details to see if you can help! Please note that you must be a member of MiAND in order to join the IDEA Volunteer Pool.

The IDEA Committee invites you to participate in a monthly book club. We will be reading about topics including implicit bias, systemic racism, and health disparities, and meeting monthly to discuss. Join us as we dig deeper into understanding these challenging and complex issues. Together, we can empower each other to be more culturally competent and better serve the populations we care for.

Find out more information and sign-up here.

IDEA Committee

  • MiAND Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access Liaison – Leatta Byrd
  • Grant Developer – Libby MacQuillan
  • Secretary – Janice Kwan
  • Research Liaison – Alex Ostrander
  • Grant Assistant – Samantha Walker
  • Virtual Book Club Hosts – Elizabeth Gorney & Lauren Hunt
  • Beverly Cameron
  • Christine Frazier
  • Sara Harmon
  • Lauren Hunt
  • Lynette Maxey
  • Robin Nwankwo
  • Julie Poole
  • Barbara Vukits
  • Lorraine Weatherspoon
  • Caroline Webber