Becky Jensen
Health and Community Field Specialist III
Biography
Becky Jensen is a health and community field specialist for ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ Extension. She is a seasoned registered dietitian nutritionist with a master’s degree in nutrition and biological sciences from ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ. 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 ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ Extension to deliver innovative nutrition and wellness related programming in schools and workplaces. Jensen also has extensive experience in working with community stakeholders and faculty researchers to secure grant funding for wellness initiatives. As the ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ 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 Dakota State University | 2009
- Dietetic internship | University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa | 1994
- B.S. in nutrition and food science | South Dakota State University | 1993
Academic and Professional Experience
Academic Interests
- 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 Dakota Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 1994-present (Nominating Committee chair for two years)
- Wellness Alliance, 2024-present
Committees
- ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ, University Wellbeing Committee, 2025-present
- ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ, Academic Affairs Committee, 2022-2025 (Assessment Subcommittee chair for two years)
- ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ, University Food Service Advisory Council, 2014-2022
- South Dakota 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, ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ, Brookings, South Dakota. June 2022-March 2025.
- Program director – nutrition and dietetics internship, School of Health and Human Sciences, ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ, Brookings, South Dakota. December 2014-June 2022.
- Extension associate and grant coordinator, ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ Extension, Brookings, South Dakota. May 2011-December 2014.
- Extension educator and grant coordinator, ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ Extension, Madison, South Dakota. September 2023-May 2011.
Research and Scholarly Work
Areas of Research
- Preadolescent nutrition
- School-based programming
- Interprofessional education
Awards and Honors
- 2008, ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ Extension Award for Excellence in Teamwork on the KidQuest Project.
- 2017, South Dakota 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)
- ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ 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 Dakota 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 Dakota 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 Dakota. 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 Dakota 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, ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ 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 certificate 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
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