Meredith Barrs Potter
Alumni Office, Nutritional Sciences
'FACS gave me more than a degree - it gave me purpose'
- Major/year graduated
BSFCS, Consumer Foods and Dietetics, 2004
- Current occupation/location
Director of School Nutrition, Houston County School District, Georgia
- What do you love about your current role?
Every day, I get to use both the science and business skills I gained through my education at the College of Family and Consumer Sciences to meet one of the most essential needs: feeding children. My FACS background prepared me to meet their nutritional needs with care and compassion. In addition, it provided many of the tools I need to help run a large scale, federally funded program, including overseeing a staff of 400 and managing a $30 million budget. It’s challenging at times, but incredibly meaningful work—and I feel grateful to be part of something that makes a difference every day.
- How did your time at FACS help prepare you for your life or career?:
FACS gave me more than a degree—it gave me purpose. As a second-generation FACS graduate and the daughter of a home economics teacher, attending FACS at UGA felt like coming home. My double major in Dietetics and Consumer Foods provided the ideal blend of science and business, preparing me for a dietetic internship at Emory University and later an MBA. The foundation I built at FACS—and earlier through 4-H foods and leadership projects—equipped me to lead with both competence and compassion in a field where both are essential.
- What advice would you give current students who aspire to a similar career?
A degree in Family and Consumer Sciences can open doors you didn’t even know existed. Be willing to work hard, be creative, and most importantly, keep the people you serve at the heart of your work. The relationships you build and the real-world impact you can make are what make this field so rewarding.
- Who was your favorite or most memorable faculty member and why?
Hands down—Dr. Bill Flatt. I cannot think of anyone more perfect than Dr. Flatt to lead an introductory nutrition class. His trademark response, “Better than ever,” says so much about his outlook on life. He is sincere, generous, and always approachable. And of course, it’s hard to forget when a professor leads the class in a workout to a Richard Simmons video tape!
- What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were a student?
I wish I had known that every experience—whether it feels like a step forward, a detour, or even a setback—is shaping you for something greater. Finding a job can be straightforward, but building a meaningful career takes time, patience, and reflection. The variety of experiences you collect along the way will make you stronger, more adaptable, and better prepared to lead.
