Jessica Hilton, DHPE (’21), RDN, CDN brings a powerful blend of academic expertise and real-world experience to Logan University’s Master of Science in Applied Nutrition and Dietetics (MSAND) and Master of Science in Nutrition and Human Performance (MSNHP) programs. As an assistant professor, Dr. Hilton draws from her extensive background in clinical and community nutrition to inspire the next generation of nutrition professionals.
Dr. Hilton earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nutrition and dietetics from SUNY Oneonta. She began her career as a registered dietitian working in clinical care and home-based community settings, including a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) site. This experience ignited a passion for serving older adults.
After working as a clinical coordinator at Russell Sage College, where she helped develop an extension of its dietetic internship program, Dr. Hilton wanted to focus more on teaching. That led her to Logan University, where she was accepted into the College of Health Sciences residency program. She served as a resident while pursuing her Doctor of Health Professions Education (DHPE) from 2018 to 2021 before transitioning into a full-time faculty role.
At Logan, Dr. Hilton teaches a range of courses in both nutrition programs, including Geriatric Nutrition, Nutritional Science, Vitamin & Mineral Metabolism, and Survey of Sustainable Food Systems.
Each course reflects her student-centered teaching philosophy and her desire to equip learners with both theoretical knowledge and practical tools. In foundational courses like Nutritional Science, Dr. Hilton prioritizes student acclimation to the online environment, providing study tips and career guidance, especially for those pursuing Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credentials. In more advanced courses like Geriatric Nutrition, students benefit from her first-hand patient care experiences, which she uses to deepen clinical relevance and encourage peer engagement.
Dr. Hilton’s courses also support students pursuing the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) credential. She helped develop the Vitamin & Mineral Metabolism course in response to student demand, ensuring that Logan’s programs remain flexible and inclusive of diverse professional goals.
“Both the curriculum and the structure set Logan’s nutrition programs apart,” she said. “Logan offers many unique courses, such as Nutrigenetics. Also, for students balancing work or making career changes, the hybrid format with online coursework followed by in-person experience makes graduate education more accessible.”
In addition to her role at Logan, Dr. Hilton continues to work part-time with the same PACE program that shaped her early career, staying connected to patient care and the evolving needs of older adults.