Charlotte B. Oakley, PhD, RD, FADA

Charlotte B. Oakley, PhD, RD, FADA

Executive Director, National Food Service Management Institute
The University of Mississippi
Oxford, Mississippi

Issue Impacting the Profession

The well-being of children is my passion, specifically related to school/child care. Quality school meals and the link to good nutrition is everyone's concerned and a shared responsibility for dietetics professionals. Our institute's research/educational opportunities are designed to assist child nutrition programs in achieving excellence in management, to ensure children have a healthy school meal that promotes health and well-being. We work tirelessly and strive for excellence in all our efforts.




How have you promoted ADA's mission/vision/values?

ADA's mission is to guide leaders for the future of dietetics. As a lifelong educator/trainer, I have promoted ADA's mission in numerous leadership roles in my state affiliate, including President and nationally, as a member/Chair of CADE and 10 years as a reviewer/site visitor. I promote the value of ADA members as food/nutrition leaders. As a member of the School Nutrition Services DPG and executive director of the National Food Service Management Institute, I have promoted the RD as a leader in child nutrition program management by providing a traveling exhibit for DPG members' use at conferences.

In assessing your skills, which ones do you think best prepare you to be an ADA leader and why?

I think that my skills as a servant leader best prepare me to be an ADA leader. Servant leadership is consistent with and essential for actualizing ADA's values of customer focus, integrity, innovation, life-long learning, collaboration, inclusivity and social responsibility. I share these values in my personal and professional life and think they equip me to be effective in the office of Director-at-Large.

Important Contributions and Leadership Achievements

  • Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education: Past Chair (2003-2004)
  • Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education: Chair (2002-2003)
  • American Dietetic Association: Content Reviewer of Position Paper (2002)
  • Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education Review Panel for Didactic Programs in Dietetics: Chair (1998-2000)
  • Mississippi Dietetic Association: President (1997-1998)

Honors and Awards Highlights

  • American Dietetic Association School Nutrition Services Practice Group, Nominated for the Management Practice Award (2005)
  • American Dietetic Association Outstanding Dietetic Educator (Dietetic Internships), Area III (2001)
  • Mississippi Dietetic Association Outstanding Dietetic Educator (Didactic Programs) (2000, 2001)