Alicia Powers, Ph.D. profile and information

Short Bio

Dr. Powers is a leader in the field of food and nutrition security, currently serving as Managing Director of the Hunger Solutions Institute (HSI) at Auburn University. Over her seven-year tenure, she has transformed HSI into a nationally recognized academic hub, fostering cutting-edge research and innovative programming to address food and nutrition insecurity. Her leadership has positioned HSI as a leader in nutrition incentives for SNAP households, hunger issues among college students, and resilient regional food systems, with $15 million in active grants and a strong nationwide network of collaborators. Dr. Powers is deeply committed to mentorship, teaching both undergraduate and graduate students in hunger-related coursework while guiding them in research that addresses critical food security issues. HSI also brings together influential networks like Universities Fighting World Hunger and Presidents United to Solve Hunger, creating opportunities for collaboration and best-practice sharing among universities across the country. Dr. Powers’ expertise is highly sought after on national platforms, having moderated panels for the White House and testified before Congressional committees to advocate for the role of higher education institutions, particularly land-grant schools, in combating hunger among vulnerable populations. Before joining HSI, she was an associate professor at Furman University, where she co-founded Live Well Greenville, a community coalition promoting healthy eating and active living across Greenville County, South Carolina. Dr. Powers holds a PhD in Nutrition and Food Systems from The University of Southern Mississippi, along with a MS and BS in Nutrition and Food Sciences from Auburn University. Through her work, she continues to inspire change and drive progress toward a world with greater food and nutrition access for all. Outside of her professional life, Dr. Powers is a devoted wife, mother of two very active boys, and a rambunctious lab. A deeply spiritual person, she enjoys early morning quiet times and long, solo jogs in the outdoors.