First Posted: 4/1/2015

ROCKINGHAM — Alyssa Anderson has joined the Richmond County Cooperative Extension staff as area family and consumer sciences agent.

Anderson, 23, is originally from Mentor, Ohio, a small town just outside of Cleveland. She graduated from Kent State University in 2012 and earned a master of science degree in nutrition and dietetics in December 2014.

“I’m really interested in community dietetics; that was my biggest interest coming out of college, so I really wanted to do something that involved the community,” Anderson said. “I was looking at different areas and where I live, there’s not much in community up there, so I was kind of seeing what was available, and I came across this position. It was exactly fitting what I wanted to do.”

Richmond County Cooperative Extension Director Susan Kelly said Anderson’s addition will bring new expertise to the office.

“She’s a registered dietician and is very interested in community nutrition and wellness,” Kelly said. “You don’t have to be a registered dietician to get this job, but she is, so we’re lucky to have her.”

Anderson said being registered allows her to calculate recommended calorie counts and write specific diet plans.

Wednesday was Anderson’s first day on the job, but she’s already got big plans.

“I want to partner with communities and other programs that are out there and just help with overall wellness and health promotion,” she said.

In April 2014, Anderson was recognized as Kent State’s outstanding graduate student in nutrition and dietetics, so she’s well-equipped to handle her responsibilities for Richmond and Moore counties.

“What I’m gonna be focusing on mostly is nutrition education and prevention of different chronic diseases and illnesses,” she said, “kind of working with people hands-on like with community cooking classes and reaching out to different groups like weight-loss programs.”

Although she’s only been in town for less than a week, right now she’s still getting a feel for her new environment. Anderson said she plans on reaching out to area family and consumer science agents in other counties to compare notes on community programs.

“I really wanna know what the community wants before I start, ” she said.

Anderson is happy to be here in Richmond County and called the nine-hour drive from Ohio “beautiful.” Kelly was just as pleased to welcome Anderson to the county.

“We’re fortunate to have someone of her caliber to move to Richmond County and take this position,” Kelly said. “This community has been anxious to have someone fill this position. We’re happy the county supported the position with the funding.”

Kelly said funding for Anderson’s salary is split three ways between Richmond County, Moore County and N.C. State University. As a field faculty member of N.C. State, Anderson is taking over for Sarah Mammarella.

“She’s a really good fit for the setting here because she’s so passionate about community fitness,” said Kelly, “which is why we picked her.”

Reach reporter Matt Harrelson at 910-817-2674, listen to him at 12:10 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on WAYN 900 AM and follow him on Twitter @mattyharrelson.