Students’ membership and participation in leadership opportunities is a great way to gain experience which makes a difference when seeking full-time employment after graduation. The department is home to two wonderful organizations that offer volunteer opportunities for students and give back to the Muncie and Ball State communities. 

Student Groups

Ball State Dietetics Association

The Ball State Dietetics Association was created to inform Dietetics majors of information through introductions to faculty, other students and professionals within the field. The goal is to serve both the university and community through education on the topics of nutrition/dietetics. Learn more.

Eta Sigma Gamma - Alpha Chapter

This honorary, which was established on the campus of Ball State University in 1967, has grown to include over 100 chapters throughout the United States. From its inception, the primary purpose of Eta Sigma Gamma has been to further the professional competence and dedication of individual members of the health education profession. Learn more.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals founded in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1917, by a visionary group of women dedicated to helping the government conserve food and improve the public's health and nutrition during World War I. Today, the Academy represents more than 100,000 credentialed practitioners — registered dietitian nutritionists, dietetic technicians, registered, and other dietetics professionals holding undergraduate and advanced degrees in nutrition and dietetics, and students — and is committed to improving the nation's health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Learn more. 


The mission of the American Academy of Health Behavior is to serve as the "research home" for health behavior scholars whose primary commitment is to excellence in research and the application of research to practice.

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The American College Health Association (ACHA) will be the principal advocate and leadership organization for college and university health. The association will provide advocacy, education, communications, products, and services, as well as promote research and culturally competent practices to enhance its members' ability to advance the health of all students and the campus community.

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The American Public Health Association is the oldest, largest and most diverse organization of public health professionals in the world and has been working to improve public health since 1872. The Association aims to protect all Americans and their communities from preventable, serious health threats and strives to assure community-based health promotion and disease prevention activities and preventive health services are universally accessible in the United States.

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The Association is a multidisciplinary organization of administrators, counselors, health educators, physical educators, psychologists, school health coordinators, school nurses, school physicians, and social workers. Its mission is to protect and promote the health and well-being of children and youth through coordinated school health programs as a foundation for school success.

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American Society for Nutrition is the premier nutrition research organization in the United States. In 2005, the American Society for Nutrition was formed from a merger of the American Society for Nutritional Sciences (formerly the American Institute for Nutrition, established 1928); the American Society for Clinical Nutrition (established 1961); and the Society for International Nutrition (established 1996). The vision of this organization is a healthier world through evidenced-based nutrition. The mission is to advance the science, education and practice of nutrition. ASN holds a national annual conference each summer. Faculty and students (both undergraduate and graduate levels) can join this society. There is an active student group within the organization.

Institute for Food Technologists is community of scientific scholars, visionaries, and innovators dedicated to advancing the science of food to feed our planet now and into the future. IFT is a forum for passionate food professionals and students to collaborate, learn, and contribute all with the goal of inspiring and transforming collective knowledge into innovative solutions for the benefit of all people around the world. IFT’s community extends to over 90 countries providing countless opportunities to network, learn, and knowledge share.  Faculty and students (both undergraduate and graduate levels) can join this society. There is an active student group within the organization.

The IUHPE is a leading global network working to promote health worldwide and contribute to the achievement of equity in health between and within countries. It draws its strength and authority from the qualities and commitment of its diverse network of members, and it has an established track record in advancing the knowledge base and improving the quality and effectiveness of health promotion and health education practice.

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The Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior (SNEB) represents the unique professional interests of nutrition educators worldwide. SNEB is dedicated to promoting effective nutrition education and healthy behavior through research, policy, and practice and has a vision of healthy communities, food systems, and behaviors.  SNEB is an international community of professionals actively involved in nutrition education and health promotion. Their work takes place in colleges, universities and schools, government agencies, cooperative extension, communications and public relations firms, the food industry, voluntary and service organizations, and with other reliable places of nutrition and health education information. The vision of SNEB is: People worldwide empowered by food and nutrition education to change behavior, food systems, and policy.

The mission of SNEB is to advance food and nutrition education research, practice, and policy that promote equity and support public and planetary health.  Faculty and students (both undergrad and graduate levels) can join this organization. There is an active student group within this organization.

The mission of the Society for Public Health Education is to provide leadership to the profession of public health education and to contribute to the health of all people and the elimination of disparities through advances in health education theory and research, excellence in professional preparation and practice, and advocacy for public policies conducive to health.

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Student with poster presentation

Student Activities

Find your unique place and voice at Ball State through about 400 student organizations that host hundreds of events all year long. Use our Benny Link online search tool to connect with an activity that’s right for you. Start searching.