Kansas State University

The history of Family and Consumer Sciences dates back to 1873 when Kansas State University (then known as Bluemont Central College) established the nation’s first academic program at a land-grant university. We have been a leader in the research and education of all areas of domestic science, home economics, human ecology, and health and human sciences. Students interested in teaching across the broad fields of our college are studying Family and Consumer Sciences Education, which recently moved to the Department of Applied Human Sciences (formerly the academic program was housed in the Health and Human Sciences dean’s office). Students take courses from across the college to develop scholarship and skills in the family and consumer sciences to become teachers at the middle, junior, and high school levels or extension agents. Junior and senior level courses focus on the pedagogy of family and consumer sciences through the College of Education.

We are excited for the General Human Ecology degree and the Family and Consumer Sciences Education program to be a part of Applied Human Sciences. Faculty in AHS are strong advocates for and teach courses within the FCS Education program. Many of them began their careers as FCS teachers themselves and are committed to preparing our students for success.

K-State Research and Extension  plays an important role with the Family and Consumer Sciences Education. Long-time Extension Specialist, Dr. Elaine Johannes shares,

“The bullying prevention programs that FCS educators implemented in schools which reached into communities through partnerships with FCS Extension agents are a clear illustration of  school-to-community programs that benefit young people through consistent messages and practices and improve classroom behavior because “everyone was on the same page” in and out of school.

With the addition of FCS education in the Department of Applied Human Sciences, students will not only learn the core competencies and skills to become FCS educators, but they’ll also learn about the role of Extension in the nation and the potential of Extension partnerships thanks to having Extension specialists housed in AHS and in the College of Health and Human Sciences. Extension specialists along with local Extension agents will enrich FCS education classes and provide opportunities for applied Extension experiences.  I can hardly wait!”

You’ll read about one of our recent award winners—Janet Holden—in a later section of the newsletter. She chose FCS Education because:

“The practical life experiences I received during my secondary years and especially the leadership preparation through the student organization FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America) showed me that Family & Consumer Sciences courses were different from other courses, in many ways. FCS courses shape young individuals into being the best versions of themselves, so that our future families, homes, communities, and workplaces are stronger.”

With more people working from home and being acutely aware of the need for work-life balance than ever before, Janet loves that she has the opportunity to teach adolescents how to balance the demands of work and family life to the best of their ability, by providing resources and education on best practices for things like time and money management, relationship and nutrition education, and much more! Janet is actively engaged in professional development through AAFCS and ACTE and we look forward to keeping her engaged with our current students, as well. Keep up the good work, Janet!