Nutrition

philosophy

Effective educators have been paramount in my educational journey. Modeling that effectiveness to my students has been my primary goal as an instructor. Since the start of my own undergraduate studies at WCU, over sixteen years ago, I have had countless WCU faculty mentors who have shaped me into the educator I am today.  Since the start of my teaching career as an adjunct instructor at WCU over nine years ago, I have taught nutrition at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Teaching is a fine balance between tough-mindedness and tender-heartedness. I strive for effective teaching by clarifying my course expectations, holding students to the highest standards, yet at the same time displaying warmth, care, and concern. Creating this atmosphere in the classroom is very important to me because I want all of my students to feel like my classroom is a safe and inclusive space for interaction and mutual respect.   

Education

Courses

Publications

Dirhan, D. & Walz, S. (2022). Nutrition Educators: Advocating for Introductory Nutrition General
Education Courses. The Educator’s Resource. 78(2), 6-9. 
 
Dirhan, D. & Walz, S. (2021) Making the Case for Nutrition as a Gen Ed Course. Virtual presentation at the
2021 Ohio NDEP Annual Conference, November 19, 2021. 
 
Dirhan, D., & Sarcona, A. (2021). Students’ Self-Perceptions of Mindfulness after learning Mindfulness
Techniques in a Professional Skills Course. 2021 International Conference on Higher Education
Advances (HEAd) Conference Proceedings. 
 
Dirhan, D., & Sarcona, A. (2021). Students’ Self-Perceptions of Mindfulness after Learning Mindfulness
Techniques in a Professional Skills Course. Oral presentation at the 2021 HEA’d Virtual Conference,
June 22-23, 2021, Valencia, Spain. 
 
Dirhan, D., & Sarcona, A. (2020). Students’ Self-Perceptions of Mindfulness after learning Mindfulness
Techniques in a Professional Skills Course. Oral presentation at the 2020 Contemplative Practices in
Higher Education Conference, March 5-7, 2020, Roanoke, VA. 
 
Sarcona, A., Dirhan, D., & Davidson, P. (2019). An Overview of Audio and Written Feedback from Students’
and Instructors’ Perspective. Educational Media International.   
 
Dirhan, D., & Sarcona, A. (2019). Self-Efficacy in Counseling with Service Learning. Academic Exchange
Quarterly. Winter 2019. 
 
Dirhan, D., & Holik, M. (2019). Shake Up Classroom Design and Teach to the Modern Student. Oral
presentation at the 2019 International Society for Exploring Teaching and Learning Conference,
October 10 – 12, 2019, Charlotte, NC. 
 
Dirhan D. (2019). Using Kahoot in the College Classroom. 2019 Hawaii International Conferences Arts,
Humanities, Social Sciences, & Education Conference Proceedings.  
 
Dirhan, D. (2019). Using Kahoot in the College Classroom. Oral presentation at the Hawaii University
International Conferences Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences & Education (AHSE) Conference,
January 3-5, 2019, Honolulu, HI. 

Memberships

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2008-present               
Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2007-present
Nutrition and Dietetic Educators and Preceptors, DPG, 2013-2015 & 2018-present               
Nutrition Educators of Health Professionals, DPG, 2012-2015 & 2017-present     
Global Member Interest Group (GMIG), 2021-present 
Religion Member Interest Group (RMIG), 2021-present 
Cultures of Gender and Age (COGA), MIG 2021-present 
PA Nutrition Education Network, 2011-present   
Latinos and Hispanics in Dietetics and Nutrition (LAHIDAN), MIG 2021-2022
Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), MIG 2021-2022
Indians in Nutrition and Dietetics (IND), MIG 2021-2022
National Organization of Blacks in Dietetics and Nutrition (NOBIDAN), MIG, 2021-2022
Adventist Nutrition and Dietetics International Association, 2021-2022
Vegetarian Nutrition, DPG, 2014-2015, 2021-2022