Jennifer Hernandez joined College of the Ozarks in 2023 as an Associate Professor of Applied Nutrition. She earned her bachelor's degree in nutrition and food science from Middle Tennessee State University, master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from Saint louis University and Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from Northern Arizona University.
Dr. Hernandez is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Before coming to College of the Ozarks, she worked as a clinical dietitian at five different hospitals and managed a childhood obesity program at another hospital. She served as the dietetic internship director at the Maricopa County (AZ) Department of Public Health. Additionally, she taught as an adjunct at three different colleges and full time at Lambuth University in Tennessee, Glendale Community College and Northern Arizona University, both in Arizona. While at Northern Arizona University, she was awarded a national honor of Outstanding Dietetics Educator in 2021.
In addition to her love for nutrition, Dr. Hernandez has a passion for leadership and personal and professional development. In 2019, she became a Maxwell Leadership Certified Speaker, Trainer, and Coach.