Areas of Expertise
Public health nutrition
Qualitative data collection and analysis
Food access and security
Food Story
The experiences that Flournoy has been a part of during her time pursuing a BS and MS in Foods and Nutrition has been valuable to her growth as a person and as a professional in this field. They helped her prepare for the challenging career of public health by providing her with a versatile understanding of multiple and interwoven aspects of nutrition. In the years Flournoy spent volunteering at Oak City Outreach, a place of hospitality located in Raleigh, NC, where people who are experiencing houselessness and/or lack of food can come together to receive or give nourishment, she discovered how to look for the good in the world. Being able to communicate with and distribute food to people who do not have a house or financial stability was a small but meaningful contribution to a large societal issue. This community setting challenged her ability to communicate her knowledge of nutrition in a group setting and assured her that her contribution is valuable. During Flournoy’s time there, she was reminded that every human and every family deserve to have access to nourishing and affordable food. Furthermore, leaving her small town in North Carolina to explore Sevilla, Spain, and surrounding European countries, and take coursework in sports nutrition and the Mediterranean diet for four weeks during the summer of 2018 opened a whole new world for Flournoy. It made her enjoy each moment that passes by. Some of the most memorable and valuable interactions she had with the Spanish natives were over-preparing or sharing a meal. Living in Spain and observing the interactions that took place made her realize just how impactful food is toward family, relationships, and the community – something that she previously took for granted. Flournoy’s sense of global and cultural awareness exponentially grew, which encouraged her to see things from a different perspective, acquiring invaluable skills that will remain with her throughout her career and lifetime.
Academic History
M.S., Sports Medicine and Nutrition, Dietitian Nutritionist Program, University of Pittsburgh, 2022
B.S., cum laude, Nutrition and Foods, Dietetics, Appalachian State University, 2019