RDN Spotlight: Dr. Juanita Bowens, PhD, RD

What is your ethnicity/race? Did your family have any customs related to food? Please describe.

I am a Black/African American woman from Pineville, SC. One of my family’s customs is having large family meals on Sundays and holidays. In the past, those meals were southern fried, gravy laden, and butter roasted. These meals have been transformed into healthier, air-fried, oven-baked, steamed meals that are equally delicious.

Where/when did you go to undergrad/dietetic internship/grad school?

I completed both my Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degrees at South Carolina State University and my Doctor of Philosophy Degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. I completed my dietetic internship at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in East Orange, New Jersey.

Why did you decide to choose nutrition and dietetics as a career?

I had no idea what nutrition and dietetics were. My original goal was to attend medical school, but I had few resources and did not receive guidance on scholarships, especially scholarships for high-achieving minority students. Therefore, I pursued a degree in biology and minored in chemistry. I accidentally enrolled in a nutrition course and fell in love with the molecular level of food. I was sold on dietetics when I learned the role of food in disease prevention.

What do you do now as an RDN and what does a typical day/week look like for you?

I am currently an education associate in the Office of Health and Nutrition at South Carolina Department of Education. This office monitors regulations for the National School Meal Programs. My responsibilities include assisting districts with developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating local wellness policies; serving as a preceptor for dietetic interns and nutrition students; assisting my peers with vetting and reviewing various grants; and, conducting nutrition education training. A typical day includes assisting school foodservice directors and wellness policy leaders with their local wellness policies; providing technical assistance to school districts; working with other state agencies on state and national health issues; attending district, local, and state-level meetings; and corresponding with superintendents, principals, parents and other stakeholders about federal policies that govern the school meal programs.

What is/was the biggest challenge for you in becoming a dietitian and how did you overcome that challenge? This can be related to being an RD of color or not just any challenge?

I had very little knowledge about the dietetics profession nor did I have anyone who looked like me to serve as a mentor. At the time, I wasn’t comfortable approaching others because I didn’t fit the profile of a dietitian. I knew in order for me to be accepted, it was essential that I pursued the credentialing process.

During graduate study, I developed a friendship with a young lady from Dayton, Ohio who assisted me with the process. Her first advice to me was “get your transcripts evaluated.” After my transcripts were evaluated, I was 24 credits short. To fulfill the course requirements, I enrolled in undergraduate courses while pursuing my doctoral degree. Fortunately, three of the courses were four-hour courses. Unfortunately, one of the courses was accounting and it challenged me, but I successfully completed the course. 

I applied and received a dietetic internship at a teaching hospital that provided lodging and a stipend in East Orange, New Jersey. After completing my internship, I landed a job that required an RD. My employment was conditional upon me successfully passing the RD exam. I sat for the exam at Howard University and the first hour I panicked. “Lord Help Me!!!! Eventually, I calmed down and I completed the exam. 

Weeks later, I received the results and indeed I passed the exam. This accomplishment was huge as data shows that minority students are not as successful as their white counterparts on standardized tests.   It was an emotional day for me then as it is now sharing this with you. The journey was rough, and I had many bumps, bruises, and knockouts along the way. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it all.

Have you had any mentors in your career if yes how have those mentors affected your career/life?

My mother, at 96 years of age, is still my mentor and my greatest cheerleader. She knew the value of a good education which she called a “strong foundation.” She always assured me that I could do anything and achieve all things. Her advice has always been, “never compromise your faith, work hard, and treat everyone fairly and with respect. If you do these things you will be successful in life.” I am who I am today because of her prayers, guidance, leadership, and the values she instilled in me. I have had a great career and my mother was responsible for everything that I have become. I knew when I faced obstacles and I didn’t know how I made it through them, it was my mother interceding on my behalf. My mother prayed for every obstacle I faced, successes I achieved, and issues that confronted me.

Why do you think diversifying this field is important?

Diversity is essential to the survival of dietetics and it is a recruiting tool for people of all races/nationalities who want to become a dietitian. It is welcoming to see others who look like oneself, especially if one is desirous of pursuing that profession. Additionally, as various population groups develop chronic diseases, it is essential that they are able to receive counseling and preventative services from folks who understand their culture, lifestyle and can relate to their spiritual, social, emotional, and economical situations.

What is a piece of advice you would give a student of color interested in entering the field of dietetics?

In the field of dietetics, the possibilities are endless. Dietitians are found in all sectors of the workplace (corporations, sports, hospitals, restaurants, schools, outpatient clinics, government agencies, entrepreneurship, etc.). If your heart is in the field of dietetics, be persistent and pursue your dreams.