Stephanie McDonald-Murray

Stephanie McDonald-Murray is a Researcher in the Department of Agricultural & Human Sciences at North Carolina State University, affiliated with the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. She serves as a Nutrition Extension Associate for Region 8, leading the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and SNAP-Ed Steps to Health initiatives across 13 counties in North Carolina. Her work focuses on improving nutrition and health outcomes for limited-resource families through policy, education, and system changes.

Education:

• B.S. in Community Health Education, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• M.P.H. in Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Research Interests: Stephanie’s expertise spans community nutrition education, food resource management, and reducing food safety risks in home environments. She advocates for equitable access to healthy foods and physical activity opportunities, particularly through policy and systemic interventions.

Programs: Key initiatives include EFNEP and SNAP-Ed Steps to Health, which empower families to adopt healthier lifestyles. Her 2021 publication explored a pilot program for Head Start participants, demonstrating her focus on early childhood health interventions.

Awards: No specific awards listed in the provided text.

Grants & Advising: No grants or advising details explicitly mentioned, but her role involves coordinating educators and agents in program implementation.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with Extension Agents and educators across multiple counties to deliver community-based programs.