Mathews honored as dietetics educator of the year
Author: Vanessa Beeson
Rahel Mathews (Photo by Submitted)
An assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition and Health Promotion was honored by a statewide organization as an exemplary educator in dietetics.
Rahel Mathews received the 2026 Mississippi Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Outstanding Dietetics Educator of the Year Award for Didactic Programs in Dietetics and Coordinated Programs. The award recognizes excellence in teaching, mentoring and leadership within ACEND-accredited dietetics education programs.
"Being named Outstanding Educator of the Year is both humbling and deeply gratifying. I appreciate that my peers recognize my work. What brings me the greatest satisfaction, however, is seeing former students step into professional roles and take on leadership positions. If I've played even a small part in shaping their career paths, that is incredibly meaningful to me," Mathews said.
Daniel Peterson, professor and head of the Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition and Health Promotion, said the accolade exemplified the dedication and hard work of an individual invested in educating the next generation of nutritional experts.
"I was thrilled to learn Dr. Rahel Mathews has been recognized by her colleagues for her commitment to innovative, quality nutrition education," Peterson said. "Because Rahel has her Ph.D., Master of Public Health, and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credentials, she has been able to play a pivotal role in training students in all the department's nutrition programs, including the Didactic Program in Dietetics, the Dietetic Internship, the department's M.S. and Ph.D. programs in nutrition, and the Master of Public Health in Nutrition."
Mathews received the award April 9 at the Mississippi Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Conference Awards Dinner at the Eagle Ridge Resort and Conference Center in Raymond.
She is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the American Society of Nutrition, the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior and the Mississippi Public Health Association, and she serves on the Mississippi Food Policy Board. As a scientist with the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, Mathews' research focuses on food insecurity, healthy eating, child obesity, aging, global nutrition and health disparities.
Mathews earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Michigan, a Master of Public Health from Tulane University and a doctorate in food science, nutrition and health promotion from Mississippi State.
For more information on the Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition and Health Promotion, visit www.bchnhp.msstate.edu.
Date: 2026-04-20
