The People of FCS

"Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) teaches a holistic approach  to living that is needed to foster a quality of life for all people. This "umbrella approach" covers nutrition to include the selection and preparation of food, housing, clothing, textiles, relationships, marriage and other lifestyles, childcare and parenting with a foundation for good physical, mental, emotional and social development that is basic to health. The needs of all people without regard to economics, culture, diversity, religion or no religion, and family structure are addressed. 
 
FCS is the foundation for individual and family living, work, and social interactions. We should begin the instruction in kindergarten; call it what it is; and monitor classroom teaching to be sure it is covered in the curriculum. The earlier we start formally teaching Family and Consumer Sciences the more effectively we can prepare a viable workforce within all educational levels."

- Frances Baynor Parnell, secondary family and consumer sciences teacher for 32 years, recipient of the North Carolina Home Economics Teacher of the Year, the Outstanding Educator Award (from East Carolina University, where she received her B.S. and M.S. degrees), and the Frances Hutchinson Teacher of the Year Award.

"I teach because it's important, and I teach because I care about others." 

- Katelyn Gorder, Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) teacher at Grafton High School (GHS), Grafton, ND, Link

“What brings me such great pride in having a true, comprehensive family and consumer sciences program at Westfield High School is that we are able to provide a lot of experiential education here for our students that provides them with several different career pathways,” Heflin said. “In the courses they are really able to explore what they want to do post-graduation.”

- Nikki Heflin, Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Westfield High School, 2024 National Teacher of the Year, link

“Everyone has had a teacher who changed their lives — every farmer, parent, banker, engineer, doctor and neighbor,” said Nick Pace, interim dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences. “We might not realize their influence or the things they taught us until many years later, but the impact of great teachers is undeniable. Preparing committed, resilient, passionate educators is foundational to our college and to the kind of future we want to live in.”

- Nick Pace, interim dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences, link

“A life without helping is a life without living.”

- Christian Gray, graduate degree student in the NC State Agricultural Education and Human Sciences) program, link

“My vision for the School of Human Ecology is to become a collaborative hub where research, teaching, and community engagement intersect,” Thornton said. “The potential to connect academic work with meaningful outcomes for families and communities in our area is energizing.”

- Dr. Matthew Thornton, department head of the School of Human Ecology in the College of Education and Human Sciences, link

"Teaching was a calling, not a backup,"  "I recently listened to a podcast that helped me shape my mindset on how important the work of an educator is: we must help students succeed," she said. "We must help them grow into productive members of our society and world. We must succeed at this because these young people grow up into our neighbors, our teachers, our doctors, our community members, and our future leaders."

- Jessica Chavez, alum of University of new Mexico's College of Education and Human Sciences (COEHS) program, link

"Thanks to this project, students now how to plant, maintain and harvest a garden, as well as how to turn fresh home-grown product into a delicious meal" 

- Karleah Harris, associate professor for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Department of Human Sciences, link

“I just love talking to people and doing something that has a social impact […] I wanted a job that provided human interaction and also had some sort of public welfare aspect to it."

- Tirna Purkait, graduate student at University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, link

"As a social science, in [Family and Consumer Sciences] we pull from many different theories.  We use systems theory, behaviorism, social learning theory, intersectional feminist theory, and one of my favorites: Bronnfenner’s Ecological Systems Theory.  The ecological theory lends itself to a better understanding of where our money ideas and scripts come from."

- Goldie Prelogar-Hernandez, Ed.S., a Certified Personal and Family Financial Educator (CPFFE) and Associate Instructional Professor for the Family & Consumer Sciences program in the Department of Teaching and Leadership at Pittsburg State University, link

“The importance of my work lies in supporting families during their students’ college years,” she explains. “This is a critical time of transition and growth, and by engaging families, I can help build a supportive community that enhances the student’s academic and personal success. It’s about keeping families connected, informed, and empowered.”

- Briana Wilson, recent graduate in youth, family, and community sciences (YFCS) in the Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences, NC State University, link

Meet Christian Gray: In 2024, he was a graduate degree student in the NC State Agricultural Education and Human Sciences program, he founded DIVERSE, which aims to provide young people with the tools and resources they need to succeed.

Meet Goldie Prelogar-Hernandez, Ed.S.. Goldie is a Certified Personal and Family Financial Educator (CPFFE) and Associate Instructional Professor for the Family & Consumer Sciences program in the Department of Teaching and Leadership at Pittsburg State University.

Meet Mary Ethel Creswell, the first woman to receive a Bachelor's degree from University of Georgia. She received a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics in 1919. She went on to become the first woman faculty member at University of Georgia and later in 1933, she became the first dean of the School of Home Economics.

Meet Dr. Gwendolyn A. Newkirk, in 1971, she became the first African American chair of the College of Home Economics, now known as Family and Consumer Sciences, and in 1975, she was named the first African American President of the American Home Economics Association, now known as the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Meet Flemmie Pansy Kittrell, she graduated from Hampton Institute (later renamed Hampton University) with a bachelors in Home Economics and later became the first Black woman to get a doctorate in nutrition at any college or university. She received her doctorate from Cornell University. During World War II, Kittrell and her students taught local families how to ration and substitute food. Later, Kittrell became the head of Howard University’s home economics department and traveled extensively to advocate for the role home economics could play in helping to transform society.