Chair of Agribusiness and Food Science Technology
What is your educational background?
B.S. Chemical Engineering from the University of Virginia and M.S. Food Science from Penn State
ÌýWhat brought you to DelVal?
I worked as a Food Scientist in Chicago and eventually became interested in teaching. When my family moved here to the Philadelphia area due to my husband's work, I was excited to learn that DelVal had a Food Science Department.Ìý
ÌýHow do you harness the experiential learning pillar of Delaware Valley University and apply that to your everyday teaching?Ìý
Fortunately, food science is very hands-on so it’s easy to support class content with weekly labs.Ìý Being in a kitchen classroom makes it easy to have demonstrations as part of lecture and we always get to taste things.Ìý As an agriculture school, we use the DelVal milk, apples, peaches, and hot peppers as part of our labs. We also freeze ice cream, temper chocolate, make cheese and ferment beer.
What brings you the most satisfaction in your job?
I really enjoy supporting students in their time at DelVal and helping connect them to career opportunities.
ÌýDo you have any student success stories that stand out to you?
Two students won second place in the national Ocean Spray student product development contest by creating a cranberry frozen yogurt bar.Ìý Other students have gone on to graduate school in food science and completed master’s and PhDs.Ìý I am impressed with all the students who have graduated and entered the workforce, working hard and supporting themselves in challenging careers.ÌýÌýÌý
ÌýWhat are the characteristics of a successful student at DelVal?Ìý
A successful student is highly engaged both in the classroom and outside of it (clubs, on and off campus jobs, sports, RA, etc). They embrace the hands-on learning environment we have here and use that to get relevant experience in their major.Ìý
ÌýHow do you describe DelVal and the DelVal student from your perspective?
DelVal is a very supportive environment with professors who personally know and care about the students. We offer unique majors in fields where there is demand for the skills being acquired by students. DelVal students are hard-working and come from diverse backgrounds. It makes for a very engaging campus community where students can learn from each other and be very well-prepared for their career of choice.Ìý
ÌýAre there any specific activities or initiatives you prioritize when mentoring DelVal students?
I encourage my students to network with food science professionals and alumni at conferences, supplier’s nights, field trips, guest speakers programs and other opportunities.
ÌýIf you were a YouTube or TikTok influencer, what would the subject of your channel or content be about? (specific hobby? Knowledgeable about a topic? travel, food, gardening, exercising, etc.)
Learning about food, nutrition, and cooking.
About Laura HerbstÌý
Laura Herbst is passionate about food, nutrition and cooking. With degrees in chemical engineering and food science, she has taught the science (and enjoyment) of food to DelVal students for 18 years. Herbst skillfully mentors our students in food science career opportunities based on her own experiences in the industry. These well-paid career options range from food quality assurance and control, to food technologist, research chef, produce developer and flavorist, among others. She utilizes DelVal-produced foods when possible in the lab portions of the curriculum.Ìý