Extension Award of Excellence for Program Staff
Community Based Instructor
The Extension Award of Excellence for Program Staff recognizes outstanding staff who exemplify the University's standards for excellence and innovation; whose efforts have inspired and supported the performance and achievement of others; and who show exemplary individual achievement, contribution and performance in their jobs and other related duties beyond their own offices.
Felisa Mandujano Torres is a community-based instructor at University of Nevada Reno, Extension under the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). She teaches the Eating Smart Being Active curriculum, a four-week nutrition education course for low-income families. She enjoys teaching the curriculum because it is hands-on and rewarding. Pre-COVID, Felisa cooked simple EFNEP recipes and did 15 minutes of physical activity with participants. She has reached 736 parents in the five years she has worked with the program. She feels proud of her participants when they apply the information they have learned in the course. In the fiscal year 2019-2020, 92% (108 of 118) of her participants showed improvement in one or more diet quality indicators, and 87% showed improvement in one or more physical activity behaviors. Felisa has a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and holds a certificate from the National Nutrition Certification Program from Utah State University, Extension. She is currently working on a Master of Business Administration with a health care and finance concentration. In addition, she is an active member and officer at UNLV Toastmasters, an organization that teaches public speaking. She is sweet, positive, and, most importantly, curious. These qualities have shaped her into who she is today. During her free time, she enjoys cooking, hiking, riding her bike, playing tennis and reading. Lastly, she loves supporting her community to the best of her abilities and spending quality time with her six sisters and sweet, loving mom.