STAY INSPIRED  STAY INSPIRED  STAY INSPIRED  STAY INSPIRED

Currently a Registered Dietitian at Jersey City Medical Center, Mark Hanna ’19, was planning on becoming an accountant. As a senior in high school his mind was changed. His cousin got him thinking about being a dietitian. “She was really into healthy eating and noticed how I absorbed the information she’d share about her health plans,” he said. After being accepted to several prestigious colleges and universities, Mark researched the program to obtain an Associate of Science in Dietetics at Middlesex College and believed it was the best choice because of the smooth transfer process for his pathway to a Bachelor of Science degree as well as the cost to value ratio. 



“My favorite experience at Middlesex College was the food service class. I learned cooking techniques and how to prepare healthy foods with fruits/veggies, which I apply to my role today,” said Mark, who is also head of Nutrition at a Nursing Home in Long Branch. The Chair for the Hospitality, Culinary Arts and Dietetics (HCD) department was fantastic and met with me as I attended classes to help reassure I was on the right track and hitting the right marks.” 

Mary-Pat Maciolek, HCD Chairperson, also emphasized the cost to value ratio of Middlesex College, sharing that though beginning an education in this area at Middlesex College costs substantially less than beginning at a four-year college, students still receive an exemplary education from professors with extensive experience in the industry. “The seamless transfer process to an ACEND-accredited bachelor’s program in dietetics includes: Rutgers University, Montclair State University, NYU, Saint Elizabeth University as well as many other New Jersey public four-year colleges and universities. Additional scholarship opportunities save our students anywhere between $6,000 to $39,000 per year as well,” said Maciolek.

Interested in exploring one of the nation’s fastest growing industries? 

An associates in Culinary Arts is also offered in the HCD department. The program, coordinated by Middlesex College’s ACF Chef, Brian McInerney, provides students with real-life experience under the supervision of qualified chefs and/or food service managers in: local properties, as part of the Disney College Program, or at Apicius/Florence University of the Arts. Joseph Beninato ‘13, was one of those students. The current Executive Chef at The Frog and the Peach in New Brunswick, Joe jumped at the opportunity to participate in a culinary externship in Florence, Italy. “Living there for four months, I worked with a chef at Santa Elisabetta (which is now a 2 Michelin star restaurant located in Hotel Brunelleschi), who taught me so much,” he said. Joe cooks with passion and integrity because he has learned the art created in culinary is fleeting. “You only have one chance to really impress the customer with your culinary art - you can’t frame it and hang it in the living room. Your dedication in culinary can impact the memories of so many for a lifetime through people celebrating anniversaries, baby showers, birthdays, and weddings…that’s the rewarding part of the career,” said Joe.

What Are Today's Students Doing?

More recently, students in the HCD program, prepared meals enjoyed by our students who benefit from the Middlesex College Community Resource Hub & Food Pantry. The talents of all the HCD majors: Hospitality, Culinary Arts, and Dietetics, are blended together to create meals designed for quick-freeze and reheat. They then package for distribution to the Food Pantry. Many students served are balancing school, work, and parenting. Frozen meals prepared by the culinary students helps the students served to take care of themselves and their families.

“The HCD Department and Food Pantry also provide free lunch tickets so students participating in the food pantry can sit down and enjoy beautiful meals created and served by our students at the HCD luncheons. Students experiencing basic needs insecurity don't often have the luxury to sit at a full-service restaurant meal. The luncheon experience provides a special culinary treat. They look forward to these meals and in turn, those preparing them feel good knowing they are helping their fellow students,” said Amanda Lyons, Community Resource Coordinator.

To learn more about successful Middlesex College alumni:

https://www.middlesexcollege.edu/2023/04/celebrating-community-college-month/

To learn more about Middlesex College HCD:

https://www.middlesexcollege.edu/academics/hospitality-culinary-arts-dietetics/