Meredith Halleck Vincent

Alumni Office, Nutritional Sciences

Dietetics grad credits FACS faculty for pouring into her, instilling confidence in her abilities

Degree/Year

Dietetics, 2016

Current occupation/Location

Menu & Packaging, Chick-fil-A Support Center, Atlanta

What has been your proudest accomplishment since graduating?

Honestly, my family! I got married two weeks after graduation and have since had two precious children. My son (Tatum) and my daughter (Lyla James) are the biggest blessing. I'm most proud of the titles wife and mom.

What was your favorite class in FACS?

I don't remember the exact name of the class, but Food Lab with Dr. Brigman! I loved that we were allowed to let our creativity flow and truly had fun while learning. Every project we did in that class was enjoyable and memorable.

Did you have a favorite – or most memorable – faculty member?

Several have since retired, but Dr. Fischer, Dr. Lewis, and Dr. Brigman, hands down! I was never the "smartest" in the class and I beat myself up for it a lot. However, these three encouraged me, believed in me and supported me in every way possible to help me succeed. I felt like they truly cared about me as a person. I'm so thankful for the ways they poured into my life and for the impact they made on me. I never had the pleasure of having Dr. Laing in college, but the support she has shown me post-graduation is unreal. Again, my career path has felt unconventional at times, but she saw something in me that I felt others didn't. She has been such a cheerleader in my life and has instilled confidence in me that I didn't have before. I'm beyond grateful for her care and support.

How do you think FACS prepared you for your career success?

Just having the support of the faculty and the rigorous classes. Also, the broad networking it allowed me and opportunities to meet and know others in my field.

What inspires or motivates you?

My faith, my family, my "why" and the legacy I will leave. At the end of my life it's not about what title I held, how much money I made or the accolades I received. Life is about stewarding what you have been entrusted with well and doing it with great care. I am inspired and motivated to be a kind individual, rooted deep in my convictions, displaying deep joy and peace to those around me. I fail daily, but that is what drives me when I wake up each day.

What advice would you give a current FACS student looking to pursue a career in your field?

Be open, trust the process, work hard, show passion and don't take life too seriously! I remember sitting in my MNT class after bombing a test thinking I was never going to succeed. I was stressed out and anxious. Looking back, I wish I would have taken a chill pill and just relaxed. Enjoy college! You only get to have the "true" college experience once. But also dig deep to find the balance of working hard. Life isn't at all what social media portrays it as. It's okay to be grinding, taking classes during the day, working a part-time job at night and then studying until 1 a.m. You have to put in the hard, unglamorous work to get to where you want to go. Don't think of things with the "I have to do this" mindset. Think of it as "I get to do this" mindset. Mindset goes a long way. Finally, find things you're passionate about and really discover your "why." Why do you do the things you do? Why do you have certain convictions? Why are you interested in the things you are? Figuring that out will really help to establish "guardrails" that will guide you in your future education and career decisions.