Megan Pritchett Presley

Alumni Office, Nutritional Sciences

FACS gave teacher, entrepreneur the skills needed to pursue fulfilling careers

Major/year graduated

BSFCS, FACS Education, 2007; M.Ed., Workforce Education, 2009

Current occupation/location

By day I am a 5th Grade teacher at County Line Elementary School in Winder, Ga. By night I am the owner and operator of GabieCakes, LLC, a cottage food bakery specializing in Cookie Cakes

What do you love about your current role?

As a teacher, I love working with the next generation. I had so many amazing teachers and I feel that this is my opportunity to pay it forward by being an encourager, listener, and champion for my students. As a cottage food baker, I love being able to celebrate birthdays, milestones, and other occasions by creating tasty treats that are personalized to make the recipients feel as special as they are.

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

My time in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences taught me that with hard work and faith, I could do anything I set my mind to. Many of my classes taught me the culinary knowledge and entrepreneurial skills necessary to run a successful cottage food bakery while various leadership roles helped me to develop public speaking and teaching skills that I use in the classroom on a daily basis. My time in FACS also helped to create a vast network of mentors and peers. I can find a UGA FACS person almost everywhere I go!

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

One of my most memorable experiences as a student in FACS was attending the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Annual Conference in Reno, Nevada in 2007. What a time we had! Having the opportunity to spend time with FACS faculty and staff at the National Rodeo and then learning alongside them and representing UGA in conference sessions was such a special experience.

What does being a FACS grad mean to you?

Being a FACS grad is like being part of a special club. When I meet someone who also spent significant time in Dawson Hall, we have an immediate connection. I am always proud to say that I am a FACS grad because the relationships built, coupled with the experiences and opportunities given, in Dawson Hall are one of a kind.