For any prospective or current student interested in dietetics and nutrition, the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) Student Nutrition Organization (SNO) offers a space for education and community engagement.
The organization, which recently rebranded from its previous name “Student Dietetic Association,” aims to increase the awareness of nutrition-related issues and the significance of the dietetic profession through programming and mentorship from professionals in the field. While open to all students across the University of Pittsburgh, it is particularly popular among students in the SHRS Dietitian Nutritionist and Nutrition Science programs.
Caroline Passerrello, assistant professor and community coordinator in the Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition, SHRS, serves as the organization’s faculty advisor. When attending SHRS as a student, Passerrello also served as the club’s president.
Passerrello commented on the importance of broadening the group’s focus with its recent name change.
“The name Student Nutrition Organization better reflects the breadth of the field and the interests of our students,” Passerrello said. “Nutrition encompasses food, health, science and community, and dietetics is one professional pathway within that broader space. We wanted a name that welcomes all students interested in food and nutrition while continuing to celebrate and support the dietetics profession.”
This change also highlights the organization’s goal of being open to any and all students—not just those in the Dietitian Nutritionist or Nutrition Science programs.
Reilly Huff, a student in the Dietitian Nutritionist program slated to graduate in 2027, serves as the president of the club. Huff said that the organization is a good fit for any Pitt student interested in nutrition.
“Our goal as a club is to initiate discourse about all things nutrition and food,” Huff said. “SNO gives students the opportunity to get involved in community service, hear from guest speakers working in the nutrition field and participate in fun events. We aim to create a space where students can learn more about nutrition while interacting with others who have similar interests.”
Interprofessional Collaboration
Passerrello notes that allowing students from all programs to join SNO enriches the organization by broadening discussions, strengthening problem-solving and adding fresh perspectives.
“It also helps our members develop their professional identity with input from students who see nutrition and dietetics through a different lens,” she said.
Jenny Snyder, a student in her final year of the Dietitian Nutritionist program and former SNO president echoed these sentiments, sharing that the club hosts a variety of guest speakers from different health care fields. They also routinely collaborate with other student groups, such as the Dental Science Club to draw similarities between dental and nutritional health.
“I think it’s amazing to get the perspectives of other students and their respective fields,” Snyder said. “Nutrition is related to so many health fields and conditions, so I think it is super important to promote interdisciplinary collaboration while we are students so that it can translate into our future practices.”
Organization Responsibilities
The organization meets every other week during the semester, combining social activities with educational opportunities and mentorship. The meetings range from guest lectures to volunteer opportunities, all helping to expand knowledge around nutritional health.
While you do not have to be an active member to join, those who wish to be active members must receive “points” by attending at least three club meetings and by doing activities outside of the club.
“This can be things like volunteering with the fuel station, an athletic team, Food Recovery Heroes, Pitt Pantry, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, attending community nutrition education events or helping with fundraisers like baking for a bake sale,” Snyder said. “We encourage members to get involved with a wide variety of these activities to get a well-rounded experience.”
Last year, the group collaborated with Food Recovery Heroes, a sustainability student group that fights food waste and hunger by recovering surplus food from campus and donating it to the Pitt Pantry and local community organizations. Additionally, as part of World Kindness Day, the group made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to be donated to Street Medicine at Pitt, providing meals for those who are unhoused. Last year, the club also initiated a Post-it note activity for National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, to spread positivity throughout the SHRS Fifth and Halket building.
Snyder mentioned why these community engagement activities are important for the group.
“As future health care providers, it is so important to take a whole-person approach to health,” Snyder said. “Being able to interact with people in the community to understand the strengths these communities have as well as the barriers they may face in accessing food and health care is so important to informing how we will care for individuals throughout our professional career.”
Professional Development
In addition to important work within the community, SNO also offers resources for professional development. Huff said the club has helped her network with current professionals in the field.
“I have been able to speak with different types of dietitians, which has helped me explore the many specialties within the field and better understand what area of dietetics I might want to pursue,” Huff said. “In fact, I acquired my current position with a healthy meal preparation company because the opportunity was advertised through SNO.”
Snyder also shared how she has made significant professional connections through being a part of SNO.
“I have been an intern for Lindsay Wilson, the Pitt Eats dietitian, since my freshman year, and I learned about that position through SNO,” Snyder said. “I have learned a lot about food service management and food safety through this role so it has really helped expand my knowledge as well as my leadership and communication skills.”
Personal Fulfillment
Hannah Jarvis, a student in the Dietitian Nutritionist program and former SNO secretary, said the mix of professional development offerings and the meaningful social connections make the club especially fulfilling.
“SNO has helped confirm that I love the field of nutrition and dietetics,” Jarvis said. “It has kept me up to date with some nutrition social media trends/news, connected me with friends and current dietitians and is introducing me to many different potential career paths within nutrition and dietetics.”
Passerrello said this feeling of fulfillment extends to her role as advisor too.
“I love mentoring SNO [members] because it allows me to collaborate with students as they bring their ideas to life and grow through hands-on learning,” Passerrello said. “Their enthusiasm for providing nutrition education and their commitment to serving both campus and the broader community continually inspires me. Guiding them through real-world challenges and watching them become well‑rounded leaders is one of the most rewarding parts of my role.”
