Rate My Professor Jackie Berning

Jackie Berning, PhD, RD, CSSD, is Chair and Professor of Health Sciences at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs in the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences. She holds a B.A. in Behavioral Science from the University of Southern Colorado (1974), a B.S. in Clinical Dietetics from Northern Arizona University (1980), an M.S. in Exercise Physiology from the University of Colorado Boulder (1985), and a Ph.D. in Nutrition from Colorado State University (1994). A Registered Dietitian since 1985 and Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics since 2007, Berning began her career with positions such as Dietetic Assistant at Bloomington Hospital (1974-1975) and Dietary Supervisor at Charles County Nursing Home (1975-1977). She served as Sports Nutritionist for Western Dairy Council (1980-1989) and consulted for USA Swimming (1984-1996), Denver Broncos (1984-2009), University of Colorado Boulder Athletics (1988-2004), Cleveland Indians (1995-2012), and Colorado Rockies (1998-2012). At UCCS, she joined as Instructor in Biology (1995-1996), progressed to Assistant Professor (1996-2003), Associate Professor (2004-2009), and Professor (2009-present), chairing Biology (2005-2012) and Health Sciences (2014-present).

Berning's research specializes in sports nutrition and exercise physiology, evidenced by publications including the highly cited 'Food safety in home kitchens: a synthesis of the literature' (Byrd-Bredbenner et al., International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2013), 'The nutritional habits of young adolescent swimmers' (Berning et al., International Journal of Sport Nutrition, 1991), 'The prevalence of subclinical eating disorders among male cyclists' (Riebl et al., Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 2007), and books such as 'Sports Nutrition for the 90's' (editor, 1991), 'Training Nutrition' (1996), and 'Nutrition for Sport and Exercise,' 2nd edition (editor, 1998). Her impact includes contributions to the William J. Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center and a new bachelor's degree in exercise science at UCCS. Awards include the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 2020 Medallion Award, 2019 President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition Community Leadership Award, UCCS Teacher of the Year (2003), Chancellor's Award (2021), Outstanding Registered Dietitian of the Year for Colorado (1995), and Faculty Service Award (2010).