Staff
Ms. Egle Liutkus
Administrative Assistant
Nutrition and Public Health
Phone: 630-829-6596 | Send Ms. Liutkus an Email | Office: Kindlon Hall 224
Egle joined the Nutrition Department as an Administrative Assistant in August 2012. She earned her B.S. in Management from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and is currently enrolled in the MSMOB (Management and Organizational Behavior) at Benedictine. Egle held administrative positions in the Chemistry and Physics Departments at UIC before working in the private sector for numerous years. She moved from employment to serving as a volunteer leader in organizations while a "stay at home mom" to her two children. Her son just earned his Associate Degree from COD in the Fire Science Program and will be sitting for the EMT exam. Her daughter will be graduating from high school in May 2015 and will be attending St. Xavier University's School of Nursing program, where she earned a partial 4 year scholarship. Outside of work she enjoys digital scrapbooking and designing, photography, gardening, and cooking.
Faculty
Dr. Catherine Arnold, M.S., Ed.D., R.D., L.D.N.
Department Chair and Professor
Nutrition
Phone: 630-829-6534 | Send Dr. Arnold an Email
Dr. Catherine Arnold joined the faculty full-time in 1990. Formerly, she worked as a clinical dietitian, community educator, consultant dietitian, and adjunct faculty member, Dr. Arnold earned her doctorate in Educational Psychology and Graduate Certificate in Advanced Quantitative Methods in Education from Northern Illinois University, and Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition from Rush University. She completed Advanced Specialty Training Certificate in Adult Weight Management (by CDR).
Dr. Arnold's research interests include Determining Predictors of Health Behavior Change, Educational Assessment, and Nutrition Education Outcomes Research. To support her endeavors, she was successfully funded by five granting organizations for over $100,000. Her work is published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Over the past ten years she delivered over 40 presentations at local, state, and international conferences.
Dr. Arnold is a past President of the Illinois Dietetic Association (IDA) and West Suburban Dietetic Association, past co-Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee of the IDA, and was recently appointed as a program reviewer by the by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Dr. Arnold was the recipient the Outstanding Dietetics Educator Award from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Alumnae of the Year Award from her high school, and Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year Award from the IDA. She is listed in Whos's Who in Education, Whos's Who in America, and Who's Who in the World.
Dr. Bonnie Beezhold, Ph.D., MHS, CHES
Assistant Professor
Nutrition
Phone: 630-829-6528 | Send Dr. Beezhold an Email
Dr. Bonnie Beezhold joined the faculty full-time in 2011. Previously, she was a Clinical Assistant Professor at Arizona State University for several years. She earned a Master of Health Science degree in International Health (Nutrition focus) from Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health and a Ph.D. in Physical Activity, Nutrition and Wellness (Nutrition focus) from Arizona State University.
Dr. Beezhold's main research focus is investigation of the link between diet, particularly fatty acids, and mental health in populations with different dietary patterns. She annually presents her research at the American Society for Nutrition's Experimental Biology conference and her studies have been published in peer-reviewed journals. In 2010, she was awarded the Arizona State University Dean's Clinical Track Scholarship in 2010. Current research participation is related to the vegan diet and mood and the role of diet in perceived stress. Other research participation has included health effects of nutrition transition and ADHD and food additives.
Dr. Beezhold is interested in awakening a greater public health perspective in her students with regard to major nutrition-related problems. She is certified as a Health Education Specialist (CHES) by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, and leads the department's health education concentration.
Ms. Julie Davis, M.S., R.D., L.D.N.
Instructor
Nutrition
Phone: 630-829-6521 | Send Ms. Davis an Email
Ms. Julie Davis joined the department in 1998. She is half-time instructor and Coordinator of the Food Lab. Formerly, she was employed as a manager in both clinical dietetics and food services, consultant in long term care, clinical dietitian, and adjunct faculty member. Ms. Davis earned her Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition from Rush University.
Ms. Davis is the past Treasurer of the West Suburban Dietetic Association (WSDA) and formerly on the Finance Committee of the Illinois Dietetic Association (IDA). She is current member of the WSDA's Programs Committee and co-Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee of the IDA. Ms. Davis was the recipient of the Outstanding Dietetics Educator Award and Outstanding Dietitian of the Year Award, both from the IDA.
Ms. Stephanie Ellis, M.P.H., R.D., L.D.N.
Instructor
Nutrition
Phone: 630-829-1144 | Send Ms. Ellis an Email
Ms. Stephanie Ellis joined the faculty in 2011 as half-time Instructor. Formerly, she worked as a Clinical Dietitian in a hospital setting and long term care facilities, Field Clinical Specialist for energy expenditure devices, as well as taught classes as an adjunct instructor. Ms. Ellis earned her Master of Public Health degree from Benedictine University. She completed Advanced Specialty Training Certificate in Adult Weight Management (by CDR)
Ms. Julie Moreschi, M.S., R.D., L.D.N.
Dietetic Internship Director
Nutrition
Phone: 630-829-6548 | Send Ms. Moreschi an Email
Ms. Julie Moreschi joined the university in 1994 as an adjunct faculty member. In 1997 she was hired as the Dietetic Internship Director. Ms. Moreschi's prior positions include clinical dietitian, cafeteria manager, diet office manager, assistant foodservice director, internal management consultant, and consultant at a variety of health care organizations in Illinois and Minnesota. Ms. Moreschi earned her Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition from Rush University, and is currently in pursuit of her Ph.D. in Public Health at the University of Illinois, Chicago.
Ms. Moreschi's professional interests lie primarily in the areas of community nutrition, maternal and child wellness, and obesity prevention and intervention from preconception through pre-K. To support her endeavors over the past 6 years, she has been involved with grant funding wellness interventions in West Chicago School District #33. Her research abstracts were accepted for publication and poster presentation through a peer-review process, and Ms. Moreschi is a chapter author in two textbooks: Managing Food And Nutrition Services for the Culinary, Hospitality, and Nutrition Professions and Nutrition and Public Health, 2nd Edition. In addition, she is as a reviewer for the Maternal and Child Health Journal.
Ms. Moreschi is a past President of the West Suburban Dietetic Association, past Chair of both the Strategic Planning Committee and CPI Committee of the Illinois Dietetic Association (IDA). She is on the advisory board and several committees for the obesity prevention coalition FORWARD (Fighting Obesity Reaching healthy Weight Among Residents of DuPage). Ms. Moreschi was the recipient of the Outstanding Dietetics Educator Award and Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year Award, both from the IDA.
Dr. Karen Plawecki, M.S., Ph.D., R.D., L.D.N.
Assistant Professor
Nutrition
Phone: (630) 829-1145 | Send Dr. Plawecki an Email
Dr. Karen Plawecki joined the faculty full-time in 2012. Recently, she was the Director of the undergraduate program at the University of Illinois, Champaign. Prior positions include employment as the Director of a Metabolic Research Kitchen, Coordinator of wellness programs, Outpatient Dietitian, and Clinical Dietitian. Dr. Plawecki earned her doctorate in Nutrition from the University of Illinois, and Master of Science in Nutrition Science (Food Science emphasis) from Purdue University.
Dr. Plawecki's research interests include interventions for improvement of Calcium and Vitamin D status in humans. To support her endeavors, she has been successfully funded by grants. She has delivered numerous presentations and her work has been published in peer-reviewed journals.
Dr. Plawecki is a past President of the Illinois Dietetic Association (IDA) and Eastern Illinois Dietetic Association, past co-Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee of the IDA, and serves as a Team Lead Reviewer for the by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Dr. Plawecki was inducted in the Purdue University Nutrition Science Hall of Fame. She is the recipient the Outstanding Dietetics Educator Award and Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year Award from the IDA, College of ACES Outstanding Instructor Award, and voted Outstanding Advisor/Mentor. She was listed in Whos's Who Among America's Teachers.
Adjunct Faculty
| Name | Department | |
|---|---|---|
| Traci Beierwaltes, M.S., R.D., L.D.N. | Nutrition | tbeierwaltes@ben.edu |
| Lou Ann Chvatal, M.S., R.D., L.D.N. | Nutrition | LChvatal@ben.edu |
| Jan Dowell, M.S., M.H.S., R.D., C.S.S.D. | Nutrition | jdowell@ben.edu |
| Lynn Dugan, M.S., R.D., L.D.N. | Nutrition | ldugan@ben.edu |
| Deepa Handu, Ph.D., R.D., L.D.N. | Nutrition | dhandu@ben.edu |
| Michel Harris, M.S., R.D., L.D.N., C.D.E. | Nutrition | MHarris@ben.edu |
| Amie Luna, M.S. | Nutrition | aluna@ben.edu |
| Sarah McNicholas, M.S., R.D., L.D.N | Nutrition | smcnicholas@ben.edu |
| Paula Milas Sochacki, M.P.H., R.D., L.D.N. | Nutrition | pmilas@ben.edu |
| Christine Palumbo, M.B.A., R.D., L.D.N. | Nutrition | cpalumbo@ben.edu |
| Teresa Pangan, Ph.D., R.D. | Nutrition | tpangan@ben.edu |
| Monica Pawasarat, M.B.A., R.D., L.D.N. | Nutrition | mpawasarat@ben.edu |
| Laurie Schubert, Ph.D., R.D., L.D.N | Nutrition | lschubert@ben.edu |
| Jodie Shield, M.Ed., R.D., L.D.N. | Nutrition | jshield@ben.edu |
| Mia Siomos, M.S., M.P.H., R.D., L.D.N. | Nutrition | msiomos@ben.edu |
Catherine Arnold, MS, EdD, RD
Department Chair
Egle Liutkus
Administrative Assistant
Email: eliutkus@ben.edu
Phone: (630) 829-6596
Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
By Mail:
Benedictine University
5700 College Road
Kindlon Hall, Room 224
Lisle, IL 60532
Fax: (630) 829-6595
