Ask any student what the most important part of their college experience is, and you’re bound to get at least 12 different answers. Academics, internship and networking opportunities, student life—they’re all important, but there’s one thing that seems to be unanimously revered across campuses.
The food.
Shavaun Cloran is WPI’s registered dietitian and one of the team members responsible for providing students, faculty, and staff with healthy, delicious meals—day in and day out. She took a few minutes to describe an average day for her at WPI; one of her favorite recipes; and some surprising facts about her work.
Shavaun Cloran
Daily Highlight
Cloran’s days are busy, but her favorite part of each one is when she’s able to interact with students, whether answering questions about vegetarian or vegan diets, providing nutritional counseling, or even just exchanging a quick “Hello, how are you?”
Surprise, Surprise
While most people might think that Cloran’s work revolves solely around nutritional counseling, that’s not the case. “The majority of my time revolves around food allergy awareness,” she explains. As part of her daily duties she is responsible for the ongoing training of associates and supporting the growing number of students, faculty, and staff with food allergies or Celiac disease; she is constantly researching the best ways to approach this rapidly growing medical concern.
Renaissance Woman
Although Cloran’s official title is registered dietitian, she can be found doing almost anything in and around the kitchen. “I could be participating in associate allergen trainings, hosting nutrition presentations for student groups, showcasing the superfood of the month, or portioning out our chia seed pudding for our weekly vegan dessert at Morgan Dining Hall.”
Go(a)t Recipes?
Let’s face it—sometimes, it’s just easier to lounge around in pajamas all day instead of venturing outside into Worcester’s biting cold or blazing heat (sometimes happening within days of each other). Cloran’s go-to snack, Oatmeal in a Mug, is full of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fat, and can be enjoyed as a quick snack or small meal.
Cloran reviews a menu with one of the chefs in Morgan
Dining Hall.
Best of all? You don’t even need to leave your residence hall to make it.
- Place ½ cup quick-cooking oats, 1 cup water, and a pinch of salt in a coffee mug
- Microwave for about one minute
- Add in any of the following nutrient-rich ingredients: dried or fresh fruit, chopped nuts or seeds, chia or flax seeds, dairy or non-dairy milk, cinnamon, cloves, maple syrup, brown sugar, or honey
- Stir all ingredients together, and enjoy
Favorite thing about the WPI community?
For Cloran, that’s an easy question to answer. “That it’s truly a community. Although I’m part of the Chartwells family, the WPI students and staff that I interact with are welcoming, supportive, and progressive in their thirst for nutritional knowledge and practice. I feel very fortunate to be working here.”
Bon appétit.
- By Allison Racicot