Lauren Lewis

Alumni Office, Human Development and Family Science

FACS experience 'completely transformed' Lewis' career trajectory

Major/year graduated

Human Development and Family Science, 2019

Current occupation/location

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in Phoenix, Az.

What do you love about your current role?

In my current role, I diagnosis and support pediatric patients with developmental disabilities. It is an honor to get to know and work with such amazing kids and families!

How did your time at FACS help prepare you for your life or career?:

My FACS education completely transformed my educational and career trajectory. I switched from pre-med to pre-nursing in college because I wanted a more holistic, patient centered approach that aligned with what I was learning in HDFS. By taking extensive coursework in child and adolescent development while at UGA, I was able to further this knowledge in graduate school to become a pediatric healthcare provider specializing in child development and behavior.

Who was your favorite or most memorable faculty member and why?

Dr. Melissa Landers-Potts was an incredible mentor during my time in FACS. She served as a faculty mentor for my CURO research project, where I researched the impact of parental suicide on child and adolescent development and analyzed accessibility for children's bereavement programs across the United States. I was able to present these findings at the CURO Research Symposium. This project ignited my interest in academic research, while also combining my love for service-learning. During this time, I volunteered at Kate's Club, an organization in Atlanta that supports children who have experienced the loss of a caregiver or sibling.

What is one memorable experience you had as a student in FACS?

One of my most memorable experiences in FACS was participating in the FACS London Study Abroad Program! Through this program, I obtained an internship at an elementary school in London. It was amazing to learn about the culture and history of London, while also gaining valuable work experience.