Carolyn Bird

Carolyn Bird, PhD, is the William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences at North Carolina State University. She also holds an adjunct faculty position in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences’ MALS program. Her research focuses on the intersection of families, rural communities, and economic policy, as well as leadership in K-12 and higher education settings. Dr. Bird leads initiatives like the More In My Basket program to address food insecurity, particularly through SNAP outreach. She has received numerous accolades, including the Provost Faculty Fellowship and leadership roles such as Chair of the Faculty at NC State.

Her educational background includes a PhD in Family Science from the University of Minnesota. She actively engages in professional service, including roles with the Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging and the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education. Key contributions include cross-cultural studies on financial wellness and collaborative projects to improve health insurance literacy for older adults.

Dr. Bird has secured significant grants totaling over $3.5 million for programs like More In My Basket and SNAP-Ed Steps to Health, targeting food security and nutritional education across North Carolina. Her work emphasizes reducing barriers to healthcare access and fostering equitable learning environments for marginalized student populations.