Alumni Spotlight - Sheila Fleischhacker
Why did you pursue a degree from Penn State Nutritional Sciences?
During my sophomore year of college at Loyola University Chicago, I emailed a few key graduate programs in nutrition sciences I was interested in. Dr. John Milner, the Chair of the department at the time, responded with a very convincing response of why Penn State was the place for me. We kept in touch during my undergraduate studies. I ended up coming on campus the summer before my senior year and Dr. John Beard, among other faculty, impressed upon me that this was the place to study nutrition sciences. I also enjoyed stopping at the creamery after a run around campus.
As I applied to Penn State, I learned about the Integrated Biosciences program, then led by Dr. Nina Fedoroff, which brought together a variety of scientific disciplines in an innovative graduate training program. It was ultimately between Penn State and Minnesota and the ability to be trained in an interdisciplinary manner at one of the top departments of nutrition science made me a Nittany Lion.
How would you describe your current position in a few sentences?
I am the Senior Advisor for Nutrition Security at the USDA, on joint detail between the Food and Nutrition Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. I help implement a whole-of-department approach to advancing food and nutrition security including a keen focus on strengthening intersections between the federal nutrition safety net and the healthcare sector (e.g., screening for food insecurity, referring patients to federal nutrition assistance programs like SNAP and WIC, and offering produce prescription programs among other approaches to ensuring access to healthy, affordable foods).
I am also an Adjunct Professor of Law at Georgetown University where I will teach for the 9th year one of the only law courses in this country dedicated to nutrition law and policy. Outside of my professional roles, I am married with two children, ages 10 and 8, in Arlington, VA.
Always remember - it's "We are"...as it takes a village to change the world and you are trained to do it.
How did your degree from Penn State help you to get to your current position?
Penn State provided me with fundamental skills in looking at problems from multiple dimensions, developing impactful intervening strategies, and building a strong network of talented mentors and friends. Working across the agricultural sciences at NIFA through an integrated approach of research, education, and extension, I think of my time at Penn State often and generally run into alumni daily.
What would you describe as the biggest opportunity and the biggest challenge in the field?
Right now, we have a tremendous opportunity to leverage federal policy to advance food and nutrition security! The historic White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health and the corresponding National Strategy laid out a roadmap for a whole-of-society approach to end hunger, improve nutrition and physical activity, and reduce diet-related diseases and disparities. Ensuring diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility principles are integrated into all we do including building the pipeline for our field are key needs for our work ahead.
What advice do you have for graduates just starting out?
Carpe Diem - Seize opportunities, conversations, and your skills garnered at Penn State to be the change you wish to see in the world! Always remember - it's "We are"...as it takes a village to change the world and you are trained to do it.
