Paula Norris

Paula Norris is a Regional Nutrition Extension Associate at North Carolina State University, serving Region 5 through the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and SNAP-Ed Steps to Health initiatives. She oversees Wake, Durham, Orange, Chatham, Person, Warren, Alamance, Caswell, Granville, Rockingham, and Vance counties. Before this role, she spent five years as an EFNEP educator in Wake County, establishing key community partnerships to enhance program reach and impact.

Education:

• Bachelor of Science in Human Behavior and Family Science from East Carolina University
• Master of Science in Adult and Continuing Education from NC State University

Her research focuses on practical strategies to improve nutrition access and food safety practices among limited-resource populations. She actively promotes policy and systems changes to create healthier environments. Paula is fluent in Portuguese (native) and Spanish, enabling effective cross-cultural community engagement.

Outside professional duties, she teaches group fitness classes, enjoys hiking with her Blue Heeler, and maintains a backyard chicken coop.