About Us

CCS aims to develop an innovative curriculum and train underrepresented Hispanic students to not only understand and recognize the individual factors influencing childhood obesity, but also to identify the structural determinants of health policy at the local and federal level that influence and may help reduce childhood obesity and improve nutrition in the Hispanic immigrant populations.  We hope via a more holistic approach, while integrating leadership tenants, to produce a comprehensive, talented and equipped underrepresented workforce to tackle childhood obesity in Hispanic communities through many angles. 

Mission

CCS aims to improve nutrition and reduce childhood obesity among Hispanic immigrant children, as well as increase workforce diversity through training Hispanic leaders in health policy, childhood obesity and community engagement in Hispanic communities. 

Goals

• Educate students of Hispanic heritage on nutrition and the growing need for childhood obesity prevention both at the pedagogical and experiential learning level.
• To train Hispanic students in childhood obesity prevention/control within the Hispanic community, as well as in health policy and nutrition.
• To increase knowledge related to career and graduate opportunities in the food and agricultural sciences.
• Integrate knowledge with values, professional ethics, leadership, and citizenship skills necessary for students to make meaningful contributions to society
• Link students with community organizations to augment applied learning via hands-on community engagement and involvement.
• Serve as an educational resource for academic and community-based organizations addressing childhood obesity and nutrition in the Hispanic population.

Supported by a grant from the USDA, Hispanic Serving Institutions Education Program, # 2011-38422-30839.