Becky Jensen
Health and Community Field Specialist III
Biography
Becky Jensen is a health and community field specialist for SDSU Extension. She is a seasoned registered dietitian nutritionist with a master’s degree in nutrition and biological sciences from SDSU. Early in her career, she worked in the health care setting, developing a strong foundation in lifestyle medicine and its importance in preventing and managing chronic diseases. Over time, her passion for health promotion and community outreach lead her to spending the bulk of the past 20-plus years working with SDSU Extension to deliver innovative nutrition and wellness related programing in schools and workplaces. Jensen also has extensive experience in working with community stakeholders and ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ researchers to secure grant funding for wellness initiatives. As the SDSU nutrition and dietetics internship program director for eight years, she leveraged her outreach experiences in Extension to mentor and inspire young professionals in this area of work. Jensen believes that wellness is not just a personal journey, but a collective effort shaped by the environments in which people live, learn, work and play.
Education
- M.S. in nutrition and biological sciences | South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ State University | 2009
- Dietetic internship | University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa | 1994
- B.S. in nutrition and food science | South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ State University | 1993
Academic and Professional Experience
Academic ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵs
- Health promotion in schools, worksites and rural communities
- Prevention and management of chronic diseases
- Creating healthier food choice environments and mindful eating practices
- Program management and team collaborations
- Coaching and mentoring young professionals
Committees and Professional Memberships
Professional Memberships
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 1994-present
- South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 1994-present (Nominating Committee chair for two years)
- Wellness Alliance, 2024-present
Committees
- South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ State University, University Wellbeing Committee, 2025-present
- South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ State University, Academic Affairs Committee, 2022-2025 (Assessment Subcommittee chair for two years)
- South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ State University, University Food Service Advisory Council, 2014-2022
- South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners, Nutrition Licensure Committee (member), 2014-2017
Extension Responsibilities
- Health promotion in schools, worksites and rural communities
- Coaching and mentoring young professionals
Work Experience
- Curriculum and program assessment manager, College of Education and Human Sciences, South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ State University, Brookings, South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ. June 2022-March 2025.
- Program director – nutrition and dietetics internship, School of Health and Human Sciences, South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ State University, Brookings, South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ. December 2014-June 2022.
- Extension associate and grant coordinator, South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ State University Extension, Brookings, South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ. May 2011-December 2014.
- Extension educator and grant coordinator, South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ State University Extension, Madison, South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ. September 2023-May 2011.
Research and Scholarly Work
Areas of Research
- Preadolescent nutrition
- School-based programming
- Interprofessional education
Awards and Honors
- 2008, South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ State University Extension Award for Excellence in Teamwork on the KidQuest Project.
- 2017, South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Outstanding Dietitian of the Year.
Grants
- Research Support: National Institute of Food and Agriculture grant No. 2011- 67002-30202, grant title: Innovation and Collaboration: Creating a Transdisciplinary Childhood Obesity Prevention Graduate Program (T.O.P). Role: co-investigator and grant coordinator. Award: $4.2 million (2011-2016)
- South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ State University HATCH funding and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Assessing efficacy of KidQuest: A Transdisciplinary Approach to Improve Nutritional Choices and Physical Activity Patterns of Rural South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Fifth and Sixth Graders and Their Families. Role: co-investigator and grant coordinator. Award: $56,000 (2009-2011).
- Research Support: General Mills 2010 Champions for Health Kids. KidQuest with Teens as Teachers in Four South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Schools. Role: principal investigator. Award: $10,000 (2010-2011)
Publications
Peer Reviewed Publications
- Book co-author; Barbara J. Mayfield, M.S., RDN, Becky Jensen, M.S., RDN, LD, Carolyn Lagoe, Ph.D., Virginia Quick, Ph.D., RDN. (2020). Chapter 11: A Needs Assessment is Essential for Audience-Focused Communication. Communicating Nutrition; the Authoritative Guide. Chicago, Illinois. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
- Jensen, B.S., Anderson-Knott, M., Bowne, M., Boeckner, L., Stluka, S., Kattelmann, K., Meendering, J. (2017). Innovation and Collaboration: Creating a Transdisciplinary Childhood Obesity Prevention (TOP) Graduate Certificate Program. Health and Interprofessional Practice. 3(2):eP1125.
- McCann A., Kemmer T.M., Jensen B., Wey H. Parents awareness of their fifth graders weight status in rural South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ. Topics in Clinical Nutrition. 2012;27(4):348-355.
Peer Reviewed Abstracts and Posters
- Kemmer T.M., Wey H., McCann A., Jensen B. Accuracy of weight perception following KidQuest intervention in rural South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ elementary students. FASEB Journal. 2013;27:1060.19. (abstract)
- McCann A., Kemmer T.M., Jensen B., Wey H. Body image perception among preadolescent children participating in a nutrition and physical activity intervention program. FASEB Journal. 2013;27:1060.12. (abstract)
- VanDyke N.R., Huber E.C., Kemmer T.M., Jensen B., Meendering JR. Comparison of physical activity in children living within city limits and outside city limits in rural environments. Northland American College of Sports Medicine Meeting, SDSU Health and Nutritional Sciences Conference, and the College of Education and Human Sciences Poster Session, 2012. (posters) and Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 2013;45(5S):S406. (abstract)
- Kemmer T.M., Koszewski W., Jensen B., Stluka S., Meendering J., Carr T., Kattelmann K., De Guzman M., Takahashi S., Wey H., Anderson-Knott M., Fischer J.A., Droke E. Transdisciplinary childhood obesity prevention (TOP) graduate education ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ program: Innovative and multi-institutional. Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2012. (poster) and Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2012;44(4S):S93. (abstract)
- Jensen B., Kemmer, T.M. Teens benefit as the teachers for a school-based nutrition and physical activity program targeting fifth graders. Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. SNE 45th annual Conference, Washington, D.C., July 2012. (abstract and poster)
- Kemmer T.M., Koszewski W., Meendering J.R., Jensen B., Fischer J.A. Paradigm shift in graduate education: A transdisciplinary approach to childhood obesity prevention. FASEB Journal. 2012;26; 26:240.7. (abstract)
Peer Reviewed Presentations
- Jensen B., Kriehbiel M. Training, supporting and empowering young adults and teens for leadership roles in obesity prevention. Priester National Health Conference, Corvallis, Oregon, April 2013. (peer reviewed)
CV
Associated Areas
