NCCU Opens Eagle Nutrition Clinic to Serve Campus and Community
DURHAM, NC – North Carolina Central University (NCCU) has launched a new initiative to help individuals improve their eating habits and overall health. The Eagle Nutrition Clinic in Room 207 of the Miller-Morgan Health Sciences Building is now open to students, faculty, staff, and the broader Durham community.
The clinic, which officially opened on October 22, was made possible through a grant from pharmaceutical manufacturer AstraZeneca, secured by Mohammed Ahmed, Ph.D., dean of the College of Health and Sciences. The grant, aimed at supporting health equity, provided $385,000 in the first year and $250,000 in the second year to fund the project.
Kimberly Powell, Ph.D., director of NCCU’s Nutrition and Dietetics Program, led the effort to bring the clinic to life. Deepak Kumar, Ph.D., associate provost and dean of research and sponsored programs, also contributed to the project.
“We started with community outreach,” said Dr. Powell. “We participated in health fairs, summer camps at the campus garden, and cooking demonstrations at places like Lincoln Community Health Center and local churches.”
The outreach efforts included consultations on topics such as blood sugar levels, iron, cholesterol, blood pressure, body composition, and general nutrition. These activities not only educated the community but also engaged students in real-world applications of their studies.
Shaynee Roper, DCN, who brings 33 years of experience as a registered dietitian, was hired as the director of the clinic and community outreach. Roper has been affiliated with NCCU as an adjunct instructor for seven years and now leads the clinic’s operations.
“We take students studying nutrition and dietetics to these events to help them gain practical experience,” said Powell. “For example, one graduate student was so inspired by her interaction with seniors at a health fair that she switched her elective to gerontology.”
The clinic offers free services to help individuals navigate dietary challenges and make healthier choices without judgment.
“They often fear we’ll tell them to give up everything they love,” said Roper. “But our approach is to explore how they can make the best possible choices within the foods they enjoy.”
The Eagle Nutrition Clinic is open primarily by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with other days considered as needed.
How to Make an Appointment
Appointments are free and open to the public. To schedule, contact the Eagle Nutrition Clinic at:
📧 nutritionclinic@nccu.edu
📞 (919) 530-7140
About North Carolina Central University
North Carolina Central University, a leading historically Black university in Durham, NC, is dedicated to preparing students for leadership roles through excellence in education, research, and community service.