Lisa Nolting has returned to Iowa State as the new full-time dietitian for ISU Dining.

Nolting graduated from Iowa State in 2008 with a degree in dietetics and began work as a K-12 school nutritionist Bettendorf. However, Nolting always wanted to work for Iowa State, so when a new position at Iowa State opened up she could not resist.

Nolting grew up on a farm outside of Humboldt, Iowa and always had an interest in food.

“My mom is a great cook and our family eats a lot of balanced home cooked meals,” Nolting said.

Not only was Nolting interested in food, but her interest came for nutrition as a high school student.

“I was involved in cross-country and track,” Nolting said, “So dietetics was the perfect fit for my interest in food and nutrition.”

Nolting began her career in Bettendorf, Iowa as the food service director for Pleasant Valley Schools.

 “I enjoyed my job in K-12 school nutrition, but I always knew I wanted to work for ISU because I went to school here, I grew up coming to Ames often … my brother went here. It just so happened that Iowa State is the only place in Iowa that has a Dietetics program,” Nolting said, “it is an outstanding institution located in a great community.”

Nolting reflects on the traditions she took part in as a student of Iowa State and now as an employee being able to be a part of those traditions but in a different way.

“People who go to school here, want to come back here and work, that says a lot about the university,” Nolting said.

If Nolting could choose her favorite class as an ISU undergraduate it would be food lab and the Tearoom [restaurant run by culinary science students].

“Those were really fun, mostly because we got to eat,” Nolting said.

Nolting’s position as ISU Dining program coordinator allows her to reach a variety of student’s nutritional needs on campus.

“I work with students who are on meal plans and require special diet accommodations,” Nolting said. “I meet with the student and go over their different option by looking at the menu with them.”

Nolting doesn’t just work with the student but works collaboratively with various campus departments and student organizations to promote nutrition and wellness opportunities on campus.

“When you live on campus … there is a spot to check if you require an accommodation which will flag for the Department of Residence to ISU Dining to say that this student has a food allergy and requires an accommodation,” Nolting said.

“So a lot of times those students want to be housed on [the west side] of campus to have close access to the special diet kitchen,” Nolting added.

Nolting will be at the various dining centers throughout the month of September educating students on how to use Net Nutrition and give students a chance to get to know her.

“The field of nutrition, food and dietetics is constantly changing, nothing ever stays the same,” Nolting said.

Brittney Rutherford, marketing coordinator for ISU Dining, sees Nolting as a great asset to the ISU Dining team and who can offer a wealth of knowledge, information and education to students.

“Learning how to eat in a way that is sustaining and can help build a healthy style is something can stay with them long after they leave Iowa State and ISU Dining,” Rutherford said.

Nolting brings to ISU Dining the ability to educate students more effectively on how to live a healthy lifestyle and understand the importance of nutrition.

“Lisa is a phenomenal person, wonderful to talk with and very

approachable,” Rutherford said.

“I believe students are really going to enjoy talking with her and learning about the services she can offer.”