Staff Spotlight: From Brown’s campus to local neighborhoods, Victoria Mealer-Flowers roots for all students

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] - Whether she's offering advice to members of Brown's men's soccer team, welcoming student-athletes to a senior sendoff at the Pizzitola Sports Center or leading students in a Habitat for Humanity service project, Victoria Mealer-Flowers brings firsthand experience of the challenges and opportunities student-athletes face.

A seven-time NCAA Division I All-American in weight throw, hammer and shotput at the University of Connecticut, Mealer-Flowers was also a standout-athlete at Classical High School in Providence.

She returned to her hometown in 2015 to join Brown Athletics as a student-athlete services intern. From there, she was hired full-time in 2016 and has continued to grow at Brown, where she currently serves as a senior manager for student-athlete development, community engagement and diversity and inclusion programs for athletics. She also serves as an exploratory academic adviser for the College.

"My goal is to help students chase their passion and the things that they really care about, and to support them while they're doing it," said Mealer-Flowers, who lives in Providence with her wife, a chemist for a company in North Kingstown, and their toddler, who loves trips to Roger Williams Park Zoo and local beaches.

"What's so beautiful about working at Brown is the variety of people I'm able to engage with," she said. "I share knowledge and experiences with our students, and I learn from our students every day - people from all over the country and all over the world - and the uniqueness and all of those experiences makes me passionate about the work that I do."

In this Q&A, Mealer-Flowers reflects on the path that led her to Brown and the highlights of her work on campus.

Q: What drew you to this field of work?

My dad was a math teacher, and I've always loved teaching and school, so originally I wanted to go into elementary education. When I was in graduate school for human development at UConn, I had the opportunity to work in the athletic director's office and see the behind-the-scenes work that they did beyond coaching, athletic training and strength and conditioning. They really got to support student athletes off the field to make sure they have the things they need to excel and succeed as individuals. That's when I decided to get a second master's degree in sports management with the goal of working in athletics long-term. And I'm very glad it worked out that way, because I really use both of those degrees every day: At the core of my work, I support people and help them engage with the world around them.

Q: Why do you like working with student-athletes?

I've been an athlete most of my life. My dad was an athlete, my brothers were athletes, and so sports have always been a big part of my life. I competed in track and field in high school and college at UConn as a thrower and competed nationally. I definitely had my struggles and bumps along the way, but I'm an example that it's possible to perform at a high level athletically and academically, and I always emphasize this to my students. My experience as a student-athlete was transformative for my life. I want to use my knowledge and experience to support them in their journey of self-discovery.