Outstanding Young Alumni Award

Dr. Julie Raeder Schumacher, M.S. ’05, Ed.D. ’09              
Professor, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Illinois State University

Dr. Julie Raeder Schumacher is a registered dietitian nutritionist who earned her undergraduate degree in food, nutrition, and dietetics at South Dakota State University. Her graduate studies done at ISU included a master’s degree in family and consumer sciences and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction. 

A professor in Illinois State’s Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Schumacher directs the accredited Dietetic Internship and Master’s Program. She supervises 70 dietetic interns while working with more than 100 preceptors across the United States. She excels in the work, as evidenced by several honors that include the College of Applied Science and Technology Outstanding Pre-Tenure Teacher Award.

Other accolades include selection as the Young Dietitian of the Year Award for Illinois, the Dietetic Educators and Preceptors of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Award, the Illinois Outstanding Dietetic Educator Award, and the Phyllis Menken Outstanding Teacher Award.

Schumacher has published 30 articles and was recognized as having the Best Article in Foods and Nutrition for 2014 and 2020. She was selected to participate in the Emerging and New Administrators Workshop of the Council of Administrators of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Schumacher’s service to ISU includes assisting with the planning of remodeling work done in the culinary lab in Turner Hall and developing the Fresh FAVs program on campus. Its goal is to increase the availability and consumption of fresh produce. Participants pay a flat fee and for two months receive a weekly bag of fruits and vegetables with recipes for how to use the items.

The same desire to help others improve their diet resulted in Schumacher beginning a community garden to provide food for the Baby Fold in Normal and the School Street Food Pantry. The nonprofit agency serves children and families in 28 counties across Central Illinois. She also helps others by investing her time and expertise in numerous agencies. She has served as chair of the McLean County Wellness Coalition and the Central Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. In addition, Schumacher is a member of Bradley University’s Dietetics Advisory Board, OSF Medical Center’s Dietetic Internship Advisory Board, and Illinois Unit 12 Extension Council.