UPEI Foods and Nutrition major recognized with national leadership award

Mallory Clark, a fourth-year Bachelor of Science (BSc) student majoring in Foods and Nutrition and dietetic intern at UPEI, has won the Leadership Development-Doris Badir Award from the Canadian Home Economics Foundation. The award of $1,000 recognizes undergraduate or graduate human ecology students who demonstrate excellent leadership skills in their community and the profession. 

In a reference letter to the award selection committee, Bethany Vessey, professional practice coordinator for the UPEI dietetic internship program, highly recommended Clark for the award, stating she embodies the leadership, commitment, and excellence that the award seeks to honour.

“Mallory is a highly motivated and passionate individual with a strong commitment to the field of dietetics,” said Vessey. “She has consistently demonstrated a keen interest in advancing her knowledge and skills in dietetics. Her academic strengths are complemented by her ability to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings. Throughout her time in the internship program, she has approached every learning opportunity with enthusiasm and professionalism. She is highly respected by her peers, preceptors, and faculty for her strong work ethic, adaptability, and dedication to excellence.”

The selection committee for the Leadership Development-Doris Badir Award looks for leadership qualities in student candidates such as active and impactful participation in human ecology associations, societies, clubs, or other professional or student bodies related to human ecology; participation in events and outreach activities that enrich the human ecology student experience, promote the profession, and/or advance Canadians’ understanding of the role of human ecologists in society; and participation in their community through volunteerism.

Clark said she enjoys giving back to others through volunteer work. She is currently a volunteer for the Canadian Health Advanced by Nutrition and Graded Exercise (CHANGE) program for those with varying metabolic-related diseases. She helps the program’s registered dietitian complete nutrition assessments with the participants of the program and answer any questions or concerns that they may have with their diet. 

For nearly a decade, Clark has also been a volunteer with her local Lions Club, helping with their fundraiser events, parades, and food bank. She helps prepare food for fundraising suppers and barbecues, and every December, she helps assemble holiday food hampers for families and individuals in the community. She also volunteers with a children’s camp each summer in her community as a decorator and craft leader.

On top of her volunteer work and studies, she works as a teaching assistant at UPEI and a nutritional services worker at Prince County Hospital.

Clark said she is honoured and grateful to be chosen as the recipient of this leadership award, which is an homage to Professor Doris Badir, a universally respected and influential Canadian home economist.

“This award means a lot to me as it recognizes the leadership skills that I have been practicing and developing for most of my life. I hope through my acts of leadership that I inspire others to be leaders wherever they may go and in whatever they may do. Everyone has the opportunity to be a leader to those around them.”

Badir was a leader within her profession, serving as president of both the Canadian Home Economics Association from 1976–78 and the International Federation for HomeEconomics (IFHE) from 1988–92. As part of her work with the IFHE, she was instrumental in influencing the United Nations to declare 1994 as the International Year of the Family.