A member of the HCC faculty team for ten years, Professor Janet Yarrow teaches classes in Introduction to Nutrition and Anatomy & Physiology. Additionally, in the fall 2018, she launched HCC’s new Pre-Nutrition program, providing a pathway for students to become a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist.
It’s clear that Professor Yarrow’s interest in educating students is more than a job. She brings her positive, upbeat attitude into the classroom, where she challenges her students to work hard and do their best work possible.
“I love teaching at HCC. I am often impressed with student’s dedication and drive to reach their career goal. I am awed with the variety of challenges many face in order to reach their goals.”
Originally from Queens, NY, Janet earned a B.A. in psychology from Queens College and a Master’s of Science degree in Human Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport. She went on to earn a credential of Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist after completing additional coursework at the University of New Haven and completing an internship at Bridgeport Hospital.
Early in her career, Janet opened a private practice where she counseled people with a variety of nutrition related health concerns, but she couldn’t resist the pull of teaching. In 2009 she became an adjunct professor, teaching nutrition classes at Housatonic Community College and the University of New Haven. Today she is an Assistant Professor at HCC, teaching both nutrition and anatomy & physiology classes.
Janet’s vision to create a pre-nutrition major at HCC took three years to complete. This new associate degree program was designed for students interested in becoming Registered Dietitian/Nutritionists. Armed with their associates degree in pre-nutrition, students can transfer to either University of New Haven or UConn/Storrs to complete a bachelor of science degree in nutrition and the required internship to become a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist.
Fourteen students enrolled in the program’s inaugural semester. Plans are underway for a nutrition club on campus, where pre-nutrition students will involve themselves in nutrition and food related volunteer activities on the HCC campus and in the local community.
In addition to teaching, Janet is one of the co-coordinators for the STEAM committee, and will be leading a hands-on event for "Mighty STEM Girls Family Day" at the Discovery Museum in mid-March. She also coordinates the Bridging the Gap summer internship program on the HCC campus in collaboration with UConn/Storrs Department of Nutrition Sciences.
Janet is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and Dietitians in Functional Medicine, and was selected as a member of the USDA Advisory Committee Dietary Guidelines Project 2015 where she provided dietary research to the committee. She also worked as an evidence analyst at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and contributed to their Evidence Based Nutrition Library.
Outside of HCC, Janet’s exuberance for life continues. You may find her engrossed in a book on personal growth, participating in a meditation experience, tending to her collection of cactus and succulent plants, and volunteering as part of a global peer-reviewer network for the Cochrane Collaboration, where she evaluates the scientific findings for clarity and accuracy so that people can make informed decisions for better health.
When asked for one simple yet useful piece of nutritional advice, Janet says, “Eat a variety of colorful, fresh foods at each meal.” In the future, look for her “Nutrition Challenge” events aimed at improving the health of the HCC community. Janet truly strives to make a positive impact on us all.