Viterbo University assistant professor of nutrition and dietetics Tiffany Lein was named the recipient of the 2025 North Central Outstanding Dietetics Educator Award in the Coordinated Program category.

Presented by the Nutrition and Dietetics Educators and Preceptors (NDEP), a unit of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the Outstanding Dietetics Educator Award recognizes the teaching, mentoring, and leadership activities of faculty in Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics-accredited dietetics education programs.

“It was a nice surprise and an honor to be chosen,” said Lein. “I think more than anything, the award recognizes what all of us at Viterbo do to support our students and provide them with a meaningful education.”

Lein, who teaches classes such as Developmental Nutrition, Community Nutrition, and Sustainable Food Systems, has served as a full-time faculty member at Viterbo since January 2021. She received the university’s Outstanding Adjunct Professor Award in 2019.

“I have had the distinct privilege of observing Tiffany’s exemplary contributions to the field of dietetics education,” said Maria Morgan-Bathke, chair of the Viterbo University department of nutrition and dietetics. “Tiffany has consistently demonstrated an innovative approach to active learning in her courses. She utilizes a variety of student-centered techniques to create engaging, immersive learning experiences that empower students to take ownership of their education.”

Lein will accept the award at the NDEP regional meeting in Memphis March 27. The list of Outstanding Educators will be published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and each recipient will receive a certificate and congratulatory letter from the academy president. One educator can be selected from one of the five program types in each of the six geographic regions in the nation.