Fatma G. Huffman leaves a legacy behind by establishing a new endowment fund
Fatma G. Huffman has retired as a professor in the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition at FIU’s Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work.
As a testament to her dedication to students, Huffman has established the Fatma G. Ercanli Huffman Endowed Scholarship Fund to advance the college’s academic mission by supporting need-based scholarships for Ph.D. students in the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition. As a mentor, she was very dedicated to her students, having graduated 27 Ph.D. students under her mentorship.
“I started the department’s Ph.D. program in 1995, and this endowment fund will help me continue to support the program in a tangible way,” said Huffman.
People interested in donating to the fund can do so by visiting the donation form.
Huffman began her journey at FIU in 1995 when she was hired as a professor and director of graduate programs in the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition. She also served the role as chair of the department from 2006 until 2017 and director of the Ph.D. program from 2017 to 2018.
Over the years, Huffman has been an active researcher in the areas of nutrition, diabetes, and cardiovascular risks among racial/ethnic groups. Her work was supported by 12 funded grants from funders like the United States Department of Agriculture, the National Institutes of Health and FIU. As a scholar, she has had 154 peer-reviewed articles and 7 book chapters published.
Huffman functioned in different roles across FIU. She served as the representative to the Faculty Senate, chair of the Chairs Advisory Council, faculty senator, and senate secretary.
She received numerous accolades for her dedication to her students, such as FIU's Lifetime Achievement for Mentorship Award—which was the first time it was awarded to anyone at the university. On a national level, she also received the Fellow of the American Society for Nutrition, the highest honor bestowed by the organization.
“Dr. Huffman is a true force, and her retirement will be felt by all of us here at Stempel College,” said Tomás R. Guilarte, dean of Stempel College. “We thank her for her countless years of dedication and commitment to not only making our world a healthier place but supporting the next generation in achieving their own dreams and aspirations.”