Thom Stevenson is a 20+ year practitioner in the hospitality/food service industry. He uses evidence based, foodways training in efforts to support communities practice of nourishing one another. Community engaged interests include restorative justice, work and job force development, food systems and the National School Lunch Program. Stevenson is also the 2021-2022 Dean's fellow for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion in the Patton College of Education. He believe that all community based learning theory work in this area help s to ensure all persons have a seat at the table.
Foodways and food sovereignty systems are Stevenson's area of expertise. Creating and supporting sustainable food programming that helps communities nourish their community members are his interest. He and his students have partnered with numerous non profits including Passion Works, CFI ( Community Food Initiatives), Living Healthy Appalachia, and ACENET.