Become a Member —PARTICIPATE IN ASPHN—

Benefits of Membership

  • Stay abreast of emerging public health nutrition issues and strategies.

  • Strengthen your leadership skills.

  • Network with colleagues and with state and national nutrition leaders.

  • Influence important public policy.

  • Participate in educational workshops on cutting edge public health nutrition issues and strategies.

  • Work side by side with national partners to move forward key nutrition policies and programs.

  • Opportunity to be featured in the Public Health Nutrition Hall of Fame – learn more here.

In a nutshell, your active participation in ASPHN can keep your state on the cutting edge.

In addition, state agencies benefit when their staff members are active participants in ASPHN.

  • Great opportunities for leadership training.

  • State visibility to national leaders.

  • Knowledge of what other states are doing, how they are doing it, and learning opportunities to apply other state’s programs and experiences in your state.

  • Exposure to new resources.

  • Examples of collaboration internally and at the community level.

  • Read the leadership success stories from members who are involved in ASPHN.

  • In a nutshell, your active participation in ASPHN can keep your state on the cutting edge.

Types of Membership

Appointed Member

A person appointed by the chief health official of the official public health agency of each U.S. state, district, territory, possession or tribe. The Appointed Member must be an employee of the public health agency.

General Member

Eligible individuals perform state-level public health nutrition duties in the state department of health, human services, education, agriculture or aging, or tribes. General members can be nominated by the state nutrition director or they can nominate themselves to be a General Member. ASPHN's Board of Directors then approves their membership. States pay annual dues for eligible staff members.

Associate Member

Individuals or agencies with an interest in public health nutrition who do not work for, or are not consultants contracted by the state public health, human services, education, agriculture or aging departments, or tribes. Individual members or organizations pay annual dues. Emerging professionals - students and those in the first 2 years following graduation - and retired persons join at a reduced rate.

  • "…(this primer) would be useful as a quick resource to share with community partners and new employees. Make interactive and visual... to help someone visualize each term."

  • "Terms are similar; food security vs nutrition security ... The general public needs to understand the nuanced differences."

  • "This (primer) will be useful as a policy person. We need a standardized language when talking with legislators."

  • “I would say that my involvement in the board has been one of the best leadership training experiences I've had…the board training involved, learning about how a board functions very competently, and learning to work with a lot of other individuals from across the country was really one of the best leadership experiences. There were some formal trainings, but just learning and working through that process was excellent training.”

  • “Being involved on the board had really helped develop some relationships with other nutritionists in other public health areas since I'm, again, in WIC. I was able to make connections with those nutritionists working in other areas, in other states, and just having that relationship and support with others all over the country, I think it's been really helpful and eye-opening too. I mean, there's so much to learn from what we all are doing. The more involved you are directly, I think, the better opportunities you have to learn.”

  • “I've learned so much over the years in working with ASPHN and participating in the trainings and the board. And so, I would put in a plug and strongly encourage anybody who hasn't been involved directly to get involved because there are lots of opportunities. And I think it's just one of the best experiences I've had in my career.”

    Focus Group Participant

  • ASPHN has been providing me many learning opportunities, many network/working together opportunities, many opportunities that I was able to practice what I learned, leadership skills.... AND developing friendships. I do appreciate all ASPHN has giving to me for more than 10 years.

    Takako Tagami, MS, MBA, RD, LD, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Senior Nutritionist, Expanded Member

  • I love so many things about ASPHN! But three that come to mind are (1) meeting other passionate public health nutrition professionals that I can learn from, (2) gaining access to incredibly useful and relevant resources that help me serve my community and state in a more efficient and effective capacity, and (3) being part of a professional organization that is managed by highly organized and personable nutrition professionals.

    Aurora Buffington, PhD, RDN, LD, FAND, University of Nevada Reno Extension Assistant Professor & Public Health Nutrition Specialist, ASPHN Expanded Member

  • ASPHN meets my needs in so many ways. It fosters networking across public health nutrition professionals across the US keeps me abreast of current and cutting edge nutrition topics that are especially relevant to work at a state level; provides opportunities and training's to advance leadership skills and practice partners with other organizations to create change at the national level lives up to its mission and values

    Diane Beth, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Nutrition Program Consultant, ASPHN Expanded Member

  • Since my role as the Nutrition Services Coordinator for my state’s WIC program is 100% WIC, the MCH Nutrition Council has been a good opportunity to learn about the other MCH programs out there and determine ways to collaborate and reduce barriers for the mutual clientele we serve.

    NIKKI DAVENPORT, RDN, LD, IOWA WIC NUTRITION SERVICES COORDINATOR, ASPHN GENERAL MEMBER & MCH NUTRITION COUNCIL 2021-2022 CHAIR-ELECT

  • ASPHN is so beneficial for my work as a public health nutritionist! The presentations at the annual meeting and webinars during the year are always on point for the work I do. Getting involved in ASPHN Councils, Committees and Board have provided great opportunities to network with wonderful colleagues from around the country. I'm a better professional for joining ASPHN!

    DIANE PECK, MPH, RDN, ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICE, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & NUTRITION UNIT, ASPHN GENERAL MEMBER & BOARD DIRECTOR AT LARGE

  • I love the fact that ASPHN welcomes students with open arms! I attended the ASHPN Conference in 2019 and really enjoyed the opportunity to talk and network with so many amazing professionals as well as other students. ASPHN's commitment and emphasis on recruiting student members is a testament to their dedication to developing a strong workforce of new public health nutritionists and dietitians.

    Rebecca Naab, Student/Member, Minnesota

  • I love to learn and obtain information regarding public health and how it applies to our everyday life. ASPHN has afforded me a lot of resources and tools to learn more about the importance of public health, and how you should take public health issues such as COVID-19 seriously.

    Jontrell Mack, Tougaloo College, ASPHN Student Member & 2020 Intern

  • I love meeting colleagues from around the country with similar work experience and passion for public health nutrition. I also truly appreciate the professional development and leadership opportunities.

    Jennifer Young, MPH, RDN, Oregon Department of Education School Wellness Policy Coordinator, ASPHN Expanded Member & Board Director at Large, Oregon

  • I am always inspired by hearing what people from different states are doing, and what the priority issues are in their state. It helps to paint a picture of what cutting edge practice looks like, and helps me determine how best to train my graduate students so that they will have the necessary skills when they complete their MPH and RD.

    Jamie Stang, PhD, MPH, RDN, University of Minnesota Associate Professor, ASPHN Associate Member

  • ASPHN creates a space for networking and advocacy for State Public Health Nutrition Professionals. I value the connections and information sharing!

    Emily Cervantez, Member, Arizona

  • I love the resources and learning opportunities that ASPHN provides to its members. I also enjoy the networking and support that's provided.

    Tiffani Grant, MS, RDN, LD, Mississippi State Department of Health Bureau Director, ASPHN Extended Member & 2020-2021 President

  • Great professional development opportunities, internships for students, and actual program development through COIIN.

    Abby Gold, PhD, MPH, RD, University of Minnesota Extension Health and Nutrition Program Leader, ASPHN Associate Member

  • The support the organization provides is amazing and demonstrates that you can fulfill all your normal responsibilities and still make a difference at the national level.

    ASPHN Member

  • ASPHN has become the 'go to' voice of public health nutrition because it recognizes and corrals all of our individual strengths into a common resource.

    ASPHN Member

  • I have been an ASPHN Expanded Member for less than a year, but I am already benefitting professionally.

    ASPHN Member

  • One of the benefits I have received in being an ASPHN member is getting to know other public health nutritionists and learning how they handle challenging situations.

    ASPHN Member

  • I love the leadership trainings that are available to us. These trainings provide an opportunity for us to learn more about up-and-coming issues and trends in our fast-changing field.

    ASPHN Member

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