Women's Council Spotlight: Samantha M. Coogan, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
 

As DPND Director, I manage our accredited undergraduate program in Nutrition and Dietetics which prepares students to (eventually) become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. I maintain accreditation standards, core competencies, and collect/analyze program data for improvement/growth. Once students successfully complete our DPND Program, they are then eligible to apply to Masters-Dietetic Internship (MS-DI) programs.

As the Nutrition Sciences Undergraduate Coordinator, I create the semesterly course schedules, onboard new program Faculty, update the curriculum/degree requirements as necessary, and work closely with our administrative faculty and staff to ensure the program, academic faculty, and students have what they need.

As a Senior Lecturer, I teach/redevelop a variety of nutrition-related courses, such as, Introduction to Medical Nutrition Therapy, Sports Nutrition, Introduction to Nutrition and Dietetics, and Nutrition, Health & Ethnic Issues. I've also taught/redeveloped Principles of Food Science, Human Nutrition, Nutrition in the Lifecycle, Nutritional Pathophysiology, and Community Nutrition in the past.

What is your favorite thing about your position at UNLV? 

In all of my roles, mentor/advise our undergraduate students, which is probably my favorite part of this role. My goal is for them to feel comfortable approaching me about any successes or struggles they may be facing. And my greatest compliment as an educator and program director is 1) when students accomplish/are recognized for even more than I have, and 2) when they want to stay in touch. I'm also an alum of UNLV for both my B.S., M.S., and Dietetic Internship, and was also a first generation college student, so I feel like I'm in a unique position to appeal to/empathize with the students from a student perspective having gone through it all myself.

Tell us about a woman who’s been a mentor to you.

Molly Michelman, MS, RDN, LD was my mentor throughout my time as student at UNLV, and she was the DPND Director when I was going through the program. I never imagined sitting in her classroom that I'd one day become her after she left the university. When I first started teaching, I took over many of her courses and I just tried to "be like Molly" in my demeanor, delivery of content/instructions, use of humor, and approachability. Molly was a very integral part of my life, and once I graduated and she left UNLV, we stayed friends and she was there for some of the most intense moments of my personal life. I was very shy (back then), and she gave me many opportunities and recognized something in me (that I couldn't see for myself) which helped improve my confidence. And now I'd like to think that I've passed down what Molly did to me to my own students. I try to recognize those special characteristics about them and help guide towards success, or just lend an ear when a student is going through a hardship.

Tell us something that might surprise us about you.

I'm a metalhead! Most of my colleagues in my Department know this about me, but I don't really stray out of that genre too much. My favorite concert is a toss up between Rammstein and Slipknot.

Favorite hobby?

I really enjoy doing yoga (although I'm not flexible at all thanks to my anatomy), but I love the strength building aspects of it and some of "party trick" upper body poses like crow pose. I may not be flexible, but I have a strange proportion of upper body strength for my size.

What inspires or empowers you?

When I hear from students who are excited to tell me that they've passed their RD Exam or who have landed their dream job or even those who just check in to say hi and see how I'm doing. I think students are often afraid to open up while a student or really give a compliment because they're afraid it may look disingenuine, but I've received some of the kindest, unexpected words of gratitude and compliments from my former students. Some have even made me cry because I had no idea I was making such a positive impact on them until they mention how much I've inspired them. When in reality, they're the ones who put in all the work, I merely guided them.

Any advice for young women starting careers on campus?

Don't let Imposter Syndrome take over. Have humility in knowing that you're still learning and be open to constructive criticism/ways to improve, but be confident in why you're here on this campus. You were hired for a reason, it wasn't by some fluke. It can be hard to accept accolades because you may feel like it's undeserved or by chance, but it's really not. There are still days where I feel like that, but keep track of all of your accomplishments in Folio or start a "compliments" folder in your email. My former Department Chair actually suggested that, and it was such a simple and genius idea. Every time your boss/supervisor/dean/colleague/student/anyone recognizes or compliments you, save it to that folder. And when you're having a bad day or really doubting yourself, read through a few of them, then get back at it. Use yourself as inspiration because who else knows how to create your success better than you?
 

Interview by Jessica De Jesus, Administrative Program Coordinator, Kinesiology & Nutrition Sciences
Women's Council Communication & Networking Taskforce