Heather Dykes is an instructor of nutrition in the Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) program, which is housed in the Department of Health and Human Sciences. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from LSU in 2000. Heather continued her studies at LSU, completing a Master of Science in Human Ecology in 2002 and a dietetic internship later that same year. She has maintained professional licensure as a Registered Dietitian (RD) and a Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist (LDN) since 2003. For more than 20 years, Heather has taught a variety of nutrition courses at Southeastern. In addition to teaching, Heather enjoys serving Southeastern in various roles. She served as coordinator for the HDFS program, faculty advisor for registration and course selection, faculty advisor for the student organization, nutrition coordinator for the after-school program known as IPAL, guest speaker to numerous groups on and off campus, and volunteer for various community and university organizations.
Heather is passionate about the science of nutrition and its role in preventing and treating chronic disease. With a career spanning over two decades, she has dedicated herself to educating the next generation of health professionals. Heather enjoys sharing her expertise and fostering a love for nutrition in her students. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in providing a strong foundational understanding of nutrition using the latest scientific research and evidence. She is driven by the belief that a solid grasp of nutrition principles can empower individuals to make lasting, healthy changes and improve their quality of life.
