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Allison Acquisto

Associate Professor + Supervised Experiential Learning Coordinator

JWU Faculty Since 1998

Alison Acquisto

Contact Info

Email
allison.acquisto@jwu.edu
Phone
401-598-2428
Campus
Providence

A graduate of the University of Rhode Island, Johnson & Wales University and A.T. Still University, Allison Acquisto DHSc, MAT, RDN, LDN has been a registered dietitian nutritionist since 1992, working in dietetics practice areas such as inpatient healthcare, long term care, and community nutrition. Allison was an intervention dietitian for The Women's Health Initiative Study from 1994-1998. She was the owner of Cooking UP Good Nutrition from 2000-2010 providing health and wellness programs throughout the state of Rhode Island.

Since joining Johnson & Wales as an instructor in 1998, Acquisto has taught laboratory and academic courses in the College of Culinary Arts, College of Food Innovation & Technology and the College of Health & Wellness. She infuses student-centered learning with interprofessional experiences inside and outside of the classroom.

Acquisto has been the Supervised Experiential Learning Coordinator for the Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics program since 2022.

Education

  • D.H.Sc., A.T. Still University, College of Graduate Health Studies
  • M.A.T., Food Service Education, Johnson & Wales University
  • B.S., Nutrition/Dietetics, Univeristy of Rhode Island
  • A.A.S., Culinary Arts, Johnson & Wales University

“Registered Dietitian Nutritionists are leaders in the nutrition field with evidence-based knowledge and skills in community, clinical, and foodservice areas. Our graduate students seek interprofessional learning opportunities with preceptors and mentors within the MSCND program as a globally recognized university, with state of the art healthcare technology and world renowned culinary arts facilities, to become confident professionals in the community. ”

Teaching Interests

Community Nutrition
Functional and Integrative Health
Public Health and Disease Prevention
Culinary Medicine

Scholarly Interests

Interprofessional education
Gender-affirming nutrition care

Courses

  • DIET5300: Nutrition for Health and Wellness
  • DIET5020: Foundations of Nutrition II
  • DIET3080: Community Nutrition
  • SCI1050: Nutrition
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Extra Curricular Roles

JWU College of Health & Wellness Curriculum Committee
JWU College of Health & Wellness Experiential Learning Coordinator Committee
JWU Nutrition & Dietetics Advisory Board
JWU Nutrition Society Club Advisor
Peer Reviewer, Topics in Clinical Nutrition
South Providence Health Equity Zone

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Professional Affiliations

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND)
Rhode Island Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (RIAND)
Nutrition and Dietetics Educators and Preceptors (NDEP)

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Publications
  • Acquisto, A. (2023, April). Health and Wellness Curriculum Strategies to Incorporate Gender-Affirming Screening Tools. (Poster). JWU University Scholarship & Best Practices Expo. Providence, RI
  • Acquisto, A. (2023, March). The Use of Gender-Affirming Screening Tools Among Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. (Presentation). 2023 Nutrition and Dietetics Educators and Preceptors (NDEP) Conference, Omaha, NE.
  • Acquisto, A. (2021, April). Awarding Community Service Learning with Open Badges. (Poster). JWU Faculty Scholarship Showcase, Providence, RI
  • Acquisto, A. (2019, October). Emotional Eating: The Registered Dietitian Nutritionist’s Role in Integrating Two Effective Interventions into the Interdisciplinary Healthcare Team. (Poster). JWU Faculty Scholarship Showcase, Providence, RI

Q&A with Allison

At JWU, education is not confined to the four walls of the classroom. You’re not going to spend four years with your nose buried in a book, learning theories you may never get a chance to apply — you’re going to get out there and apply them, be it through internships, group projects, leadership opportunities, competitions and more.

How Did You Get Started?

I have always loved to cook and eat great food. After becoming a Registered Dietitian and working in the hospital setting for 8 years, I decided to pursue my Culinary Arts degree at JWU. I continued to work in the clinical and foodservice management settings and realized the connection of the science of nutrition with the skill of creating delicious food options to improve health. I was delighted to accept the position to teach nutrition science to culinary and baking & pasty students and share my knowledge with the next generation of food professionals.

What Is Your Favorite Teaching Moment?

My favorite thing about teaching is the interaction with students and the guidance that I can provide to them from the introduction of new and exciting opportunities to helping them hone their leadership skills in the JWU Nutrition Society club. The best part is following their journey through academics and then seeing them develop into successful, confident individuals who love what they do.

What College Do You Teach In?

College of Health & Wellness