Victoria Waters, MEd, is an educational consultant at the UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute (FPG). As part of our FPG profile series, we recently spoke with Waters to learn more about her work at FPG. Here’s what she had to say.

What brought you to FPG?

I first joined FPG as a work-study student in the Infant Room while I was in college. Later, I worked as a summer floater, and from the start, FPG felt like home. I always hoped to come back, and I got that chance 10 years ago when I joined the autism team to help develop AFIRM while earning my master’s degree in education.

What do you do at FPG?

Every day at FPG is different! Some days, I take care of administrative tasks like processing travel paperwork, tracking payments, and organizing vouchers for numerous projects. Other times, I work with AI tools to help share research and resources more effectively or analyze data. Most importantly, I help create evidence-informed tools and resources for educators and families. These include projects like STEMIE, AFIRM, Inclusive STEM PreK Playgroups, HEELS2Prep, and NPDC PD trainings—all designed to support educators and families in improving children’s outcomes.

What do you like most about your job?

I love working with people who care deeply about making a difference. All team members for various projects are passionate about creating simple, practical resources that teachers and families can use right away to support children’s learning and development. It is exciting to turn research into something useful for educators and families.

What do you find most challenging?

It is important to ensure that research is holistically informed and conducted so that practices can be effective for all children, no matter their background or experiences.

How does your work further the mission of FPG?

Every project I work on focuses on one goal: improving children’s outcomes. Whether it is through research, new learning tools, or teacher training, everything we do at FPG is about improving education and opportunities for all children.

What do you hope to have accomplished five years from now?

I love what I do, and I find so much joy and fulfillment in my work. My hope is to continue this work for as long as I can, helping make a positive impact on children, families, and educators.

Is there anything else you would like people to know about your work or working at FPG?

FPG is a special place because of the people who work here. Everyone is committed to making a real difference, and it is inspiring to be part of a team that works together to create meaningful change for children and families.