FCS News Stories

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September 2024

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"Students at Watson Chapel Junior High School in Pine Bluff recently enjoyed a lunch of catfish they raised themselves, according to Dr. Karleah Harris, associate professor for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) Department of Human Sciences," Aug 2025, Link

"The Ohio Association of Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences (OATFACS) has recognized Anna Gest (left), MS, RDN, LD, and the Ohio Beef Council with the Champion for Family and Consumer Sciences Education Award," Aug 2025, Link 

"Study: The way you grew up may shape how your brain handles risk," Cornell Chronicle, Aug 2025. Link

"CSU [Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies]’s journal article earns ‘Editor’s Choice’ designation," Livingstone Enterprise, Aug 2025. Link

"AgriLife Extension family and community health agents earn honors," Aug 2025, Link 

"Smart Home Technologies and Domestic Security: A Study of Home Economics Students' Awareness and Perceptions," World Journal of Innovation and Modern Technology, 2025, Link

Assistant professor in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences nutritional sciences department "explains how confusion around grocery labels contributes to food waste," UGA Today, July 2025, Link 

"Overton Extension Welcomes New Family and Consumer Sciences Agent Amy Collins," Livingstone Enterprise, July 2025. Link

"A home economics classroom at St Pius X College in Magherafelt has become the unexpected set of Northern Ireland’s latest food series, Local Chef Showdown," DerryNow, Aug 2025. Link

"Dr. Karleah Harris Receives Leadership Award from American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences," UAPB News, July 2025. Link

"UAPB readies students for culinary arts careers," Pine Bluff Commercial, July 2025. Link

"New credentials could boost milling, baking hiring," World Grain, June 2025, Link

"The power of story: 12-year storytelling project aids students, teachers," July 2025, Link 

AAFCS "presented retired Janesville teacher Catherine Lader with a 2025 Leader award, for making a lasting impact in family and consumer sciences," Gazette Xtra, July 2025, Link

"Louisiana Tech University has announced the appointment of Dr. Matthew Thornton as the new department head of the School of Human Ecology in the College of Education and Human Sciences," Lincoln Parish Journal, July 2025, Link 

"UOG Land Grant: New identity rooted in agriculture and home economics as community resiliency trend grows," July 2025. Link

Melissa Evon, Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) educator at Elgin High School, announced as the Oklahoma Teacher of the Year at the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s annual InspireOK conference," The Oklahoman, June 2025. Link

"College of the Atlantic Davis Center for Human Ecology is recognized as one of the most sustainable and forward-thinking buildings in the country by the American Institute of Architects (AIA)," World Grain, July 2025, Link

"Perceived Benefits and Challenges of Smart Home Security Systems: Insights from Home Economics Students," IIARD, 2025, Link 

"Meet Jemma Forgie: Designing safer futures by improving protective clothing," University of Alberta, June 2025. Link

"The College of Education, Sport, and Human Science’s Learning and Performance Research Center (LPRC) recently hosted its 12th annual Methods Workshop, continuing its tradition of delivering advanced statistical modeling training to faculty and students across a wide range of disciplines.," June 2025. Link

Keona Smith, Purdue University College of Health and Human Sciences pursues White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management," June 2025, Link

"Factors Influencing American Tourists’ Behavioral Intentions  and Use Behavior of Tourism Apps," The Scholar: Human Sciences, June 2025. Link

"Couple and Family Clinic broadens reach of mental health services," Nebraska Today, June 2025, Link

"Instructional Recipe Innovation: Reinventing Turmeric Use to Teach Food Preservation in Home Economics," Asia Research Network Journal of Education, June 2025. Link

"Tracing the Thread: Untangling Colonialism and Ableism from Material Culture Education ," June 2025, Link 

"Two graduate students from the Oklahoma State University College of Education and Human Sciences received honors at the recent conference," June 2025. Link

"Right living, wise spending: Ellen Richards’s progressive art of budgeting," European Journal of the History of Economic Thought, June 2025. Link

"Why Every Student Needs Human Ecology Education Now," June 2025, Link 

"Convocation ‘25: Janna Ehrenholz, BSc Clothing, Textiles & Material Culture," June 2025. Link

"Determining the Integration of Mathematical Concepts in Family and Consumer Sciences 
Education," A Dissertation, December 2020, Link

"The SBCC School of Extended Learning’s Home Economics programs are ... giving back to community members who are struggling with illness and other life challenges.," May 2025. Link

"Fashion students at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa are designing the future, literally. ... They didn’t just use 3D design software to create fashion, they teamed up with artificial intelligence (AI) to push their creativity further than ever before.," May 2025, Link

The American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) is pleased to announce the publication of a new model and updated conceptual framework for the Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Body of Knowledge, Link 

"From providing financial advice to engaging in impactful research and beyond, graduates of the Purdue University College of Health and Human Sciences are taking giant leaps in making lives better.," May 2025, Link 

"Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) students gathered at Trailside Middle School and showed friends, family, staff and the community that when life hands you flour, sugar and a little imagination, unforgettable memories are alive and cake-ing at the second annual LCPS Cake Wars," May 2025. Link

"Sander Kersten, director of the Division of Nutritional Sciences and the Schleifer Family Professor in Cornell Human Ecology's Division of Nutritional Sciences, collaborated with eCornell to design the Nutrition for Metabolic Health certificate program," May 2025, Link

TX AAFCS Affiliate recognizes Kristina Rivas, Co-founder and Executive Director of Ground Floor Collective and Executive Director of the Literacy Council of Bowie and Miller Counties, with Texas Light for Families Award, TXK Today, April 2025. Link

"As a UMD home economics student, Jim Henson created the first iteration of Kermit the Frog," May 2025. Link

PodCast: Interview with Illinois State University, department of Family and Consumer Sciences Alum, Lexie Schuring, April 2025. Link

"A new study by the University of Tennessee’s Department of Family and Consumer Sciences suggests that Tennessee’s high school financial education requirement should be expanded to a full credit, promising to better equip students with critical financial skills.," April 2025, Link 

"Why high schools should implement modern home economics," New York Post, April 2025. Link

"Extension 100-year anniversary highlights successes," April 2025, Link 

"Student designers challenge convention to enhance human thriving," May 2025, Link

"Students in The Ohio State University’s Hospitality Management Program put their leadership skills to work by planning the annual Big Dish event this spring," May 2025. Link

Emma Laing, clinical professor and director of dietetics in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences discusses the health benefits of kiwis, April 2025, Link

FCS professional April Stull, PhD, RDN, FAND, explores the health benefits of blueberries with leading experts, Baylor University, April 2025. Link

"Enhancing Comprehensive Sex Education through Family and Consumer Sciences: A Holistic Approach," Branch, Crystal DeVan, Journal of Applied Research in the Community College, Spring 2025. Link

"The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s (UAPB) Department of Human Sciences recently hosted the “Feeding Brighter Futures Workshop," April 2025, Link 

"Family Development Program: 40 years celebrating children & families," March 2025. Link

"Aquaponics in the Classroom: UAPB’s Innovative Approach to Alleviating Food Insecurity," March 2025, Link 

"Holly Students and Staff Win Big at Statewide Family and Consumer Sciences Conference”  Oakland County Times, March 2025. Link

Saline High School educator Lauren Williams teaches Family and Consumer Sciences, helping prepare youth for their roles as leaders in their families, careers, and communities, March 2025, Link 

"Alexandra Gogel and Cassandra Partridge [on track to] earn the first doctorates in the history of University of Idaho’s Margaret Ritchie School of Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS). April 2025, Link

"Creating a legacy: The women who shaped coeducation at UGA," The Red&Black, March 2025, Link

"From the creative, fashion-forward minds in the College of Human Ecology comes the Spring 2025 Cornell Collective Runway Show.," Cornell Chronicle, March 2025. Link

"“Home Making: Artists and the Domestic,” opens on March 8 and will run through July 27. It celebrates a century of applying science and design to the study of the home”  Cornell Chronicle, March 2025. Link

"Emma Laing, clinical professor and director of dietetics in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, spoke with Lose It! about the different types of carbs.," UGA Today, March 2025, Link

"AAFCS and Journal of Consumer Research Sign a Memorandum of Understanding to support Consumer Research," March 2025, Link 

"College of Family and Consumer Sciences honors acclaimed alumna Anne Barge Clegg," March 2025. Link

"Food Connects Us: Celebrating National Nutrition Month with EFNEP," March 2025, Link 

"Howell High School Senior Elaina Pennell claimed [2nd place] in the 2025 Family and Consumer Sciences Education Association National Public Service Announcement," March 2025, Link

"[In] what ways did the biology teacher and FCS teacher demonstrated their PCK in integrated STEM to teach energy through food systems?”  Education Sciences, March 2025. Link

Suraj Sharma, professor, College of Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Georgia, selected for inclusion in the National Academy of Inventors, Feb 2025, Link 

"Class incorporates cutting-edge tech, old-school tools for fabric design," Nebraska Today, Feb 2025, Link

"Bring back Home Economics,"  The Detroit News, Feb 2025. Link

"Students develop life skills in this culinary lab," Feb 2025. Link

"Bolingbrook High School teacher Erin Clifford is a 2025 finalist for the Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching," Patch, Feb 2025, Link

"University of Nebraska–Lincoln's Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery [now featuring work] from eight high schools in Nebraska and one in Minnesota.," Nebraska Today, Feb 2025. Link

Suraj Sharma, professor, College of Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Georgia, selected for inclusion in the National Academy of Inventors, Feb 2025, Link 

"Considering human development and family science from an HBCU faculty perspective: Commentary on Dyer," Jan 2025. Link

"By the numbers: Ohio State University Extension's impact on Coshocton County," Coshocton Tribune, Feb 2025, Link

2024 AAFCS Annual Report

Exciting News!

The 2024 AAFCS Annual Report is now available! Dive into a year of achievements, insights, and future plans. Discover how we're making a difference in the field of family and consumer sciences. 

Read Now: https://bit.ly/4iDxlN7

Highlights:

New programs: 

  • Affiliate Advocacy Grant
  • AAFCS Collaborative Network
  • Powering the Profession
  • THINK FCS Podcast and learning platform
  • FCS Forward Grantmaking

New projects: 

  • Advocacy
  • FCS Industry Survey
  • CIP Code Revision Recommendations
  • Credential Pilot Testing

"Family and Consumer Sciences celebrates CTE month," Z93, Feb 2025, Link 

Participants a "Passport to FCS" Camp learned about Italian family dynamics, fashion trends, and food, all while being introduced to FCS majors.,  Illinois State University, 2025. Link

"Development of a standardized data collection and intelligent fabric quality prediction system for the weaving department” Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics
Volume 20: 1–18, 2025. Link

"Trigg County 4-Her Reaching Great Heights With Family And Consumer Sciences Conference Win," Jan 2025. Link

"Logan County OSU Extension welcomes two new educators." Guthrie News, Jan 2025, Link

"Using the Perspectives of Kentucky Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agents to Develop a Sustainable Eating Sciences Extension Agents to Develop a Sustainable Eating Curriculum ," Journal of Human Sciences and Extension. Link

"Revisiting home ec," "roughly one-third of American adults consider themselves unable to complete basic domestic tasks, like grocery shopping for and preparing a simple dinner." Buffalo Bulletin, November 2024, Link

"What Are Students Reading? An Exploratory Study of Bookstore Acquisitions for Introductory Family Science Courses," Marriage & Family Review Vol 61, December 2024, Link 

"High school and junior high school students recently had the chance to pitch their business ideas during a “Shark Tank” event hosted by the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) Department of Human Sciences.," USPB News, December 2024. Link

"Managing Stress for Family Caregivers and the Rest of Us," December 2024, Link

"How one Houston County school is teaching life skills with a cooking class," December 2024, Link 

"Skyline Should Offer Students Home Economics Classes," January 2025. Link

"Family and Consumer Sciences Education for Food Literacy," December 2024. Link

"Pittsburgh-based private chef and Bethel Park resident Jon Lloyd visited Mrs. Kelsey Chapin’s Family and Consumer Sciences class to teach students how to make buffalo and sweet chili wings while sharing his culinary journey," November 2024, Link 

"A.J. Schwichtenberg, associate professor in the Purdue University Department of Human Development and Family Science (HDFS), is the 2024 recipient of the Patsy J. Mellott Teaching Innovation Award.," Purdue University, December 2024. Link

"The Early Show with Alax, supported by UNM-based research teams at the Family Development Program (FDP) and the Cradle to Career Policy Institute (CCPI), received a prestigious regional Emmy from the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (Academy)," December 2024. Link

"Material Intelligence” exhibit in the School of Human Ecology invites individuals to think about how materials shape the spaces around us," The Daily Cardinal, November 2024. Link

Cold Springs High School Family and Consumer Sciences [...] teacher Stephanie Blair awarded the Doris Patterson and Pat Floyd Award for Excellence in Education," The Cullman Times, November 2024, Link

"Stephen F. Austin State University’s Cooking Matters program has transformed the way families in Nacogdoches think about food, health and budgeting," November 2024, Link 

Stephanie Anderson, Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Polson High School selected to receive a $500 grant, 8KPAX, November 2024. YouTube. Link

"Indigenous women in home economics featured in exhibit,"  Cornell Chronicle, October 2024. Link

“She arrived at North Carolina A&T in 2018 with the idea to create a course and conduct research on chocolate, and this support from USDA will enable her to do both. These endeavors will help attract more students to the Family and Consumer Sciences Department and provide more post-graduation opportunities for these students," October 2024. Link

"Researchers Aim to Help Older Population with Technology," Texas Tech Now, 2024, Link

"AAFCS Responds to the Publication of a Modernized Career Clusters Framework," October 2024. Link

"An Interview with Goldie Prelogar-Hernandez ," Journal of Financial Therapy,  2024. Link

"Student research focuses on challenges of accessing nutritious foods," Nebraska Today, 2024, Link

"Estimating family shopping behavior: A
multi-perspective approach to understanding
grocery shopping," 2024, Link 

Family and Consumer Sciences: Overview of a 100-Year-Old Industry Sector

Read, Share, Promote.

"Elizabeth Heuisler, a professor at the Norton School of Human Ecology and former fashion designer, emphasized the significance of educating the community about the vital role service dogs play,"  October 2024. Link

"People want to bring home economics classes back to schools to teach kids basic life skills," MSN news, 2024, Link

"Students at the Union-Endicott High School were baking up some treats in their Family and Consumer Sciences classes Wednesday morning and the treats were going to the dogs. Literally," October 2024, Link 

“Good nutrition has been recognized as one of the cornerstones of diabetes self-management,” according to Dr. Ali Berg, Extension nutrition and health specialist with the University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer Sciences, 2024. Link