Several professionals in the School of Human Environmental Sciences, along with outstanding alumni, recently received recognition through two state organizations.

The Kentucky Association of State Extension Professionals (KASEP) honored several Extension professionals and programs. KASEP is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the support, education, and professional improvement of Kentucky Cooperative Extension professionals.

Lola AdedokunKASEP recognized Lola Adedokun as the Outstanding Extension Specialist. Adedokun is a senior Extension evaluation specialist for Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Extension’s Nutrition Education Program. She provides statewide leadership in program evaluation for the nationally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Program (EFNEP), both of which work to improve eating practices and increase physical activity among Kentuckians.  Adedokun serves on the National Evaluation Committee of the Association of SNAP Nutrition Education Administrators and is a member of the national EFNEP Youth Evaluation Review Committee. She was recently selected to participate in the 2019-2020 UK Women’s Executive Leadership Development (WELD) program—an eight-month program designed to develop the next generation of UK leaders.

Annhall NorrisAnnhall Norris received the Outstanding Extension Associate Award. Norris is the Extension associate for food preservation and food safety in FCS Extension and is an expert in food safety regulations, food preservation, and food preparation. She manages the home-based microprocessor workshop program that trains consumers to legally sell home-processed goods. Norris works across UK’s campus with FCS and the Nutrition Education Program, the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, and the Food Science program in the Department of Animal and Food Science. In addition, she is a critical link between Cooperative Extension and the Kentucky Department of Public Health Food Safety Branch, Kentucky Vegetable Growers Association, and the Kentucky Environmental Health Association.

KASEP recognized Talking FACS, the FCS Extension podcast, as its Outstanding Project. Talking FACS is a weekly podcast featuring topics like family, food, finance, and fitness. It is hosted by FCS Extension and features Extension specialists and associates as well as campus partners. The podcast is a way to share research-based content with an audience that might not consider Extension a go-to source for information. While most of the audience lives in Kentucky, listeners from 41 states and 18 countries have been able to find this web-based resource. The podcast average 4,100 weekly listeners.

Healthy Choices for Every Body received the Outstanding Program Award. The primary education curriculum of the Nutrition Education Program, Healthy Choices for Every Body tackles the problem of poverty and obesity by teaching limited-resource adults food management skills to stretch their food dollars. It stresses the importance of eating more fruits and vegetables, making healthy food choices, and being more physically active. Participants also learn safe food-handling and storage processes because many healthy foods are also perishable. The program is implemented in 102 counties with 5,656 Kentuckians completing the curriculum in 2018. Results from participant evaluations reveal that a majority of people showed improvement in eating fruits and vegetables, drinking more water and less soda, and exercising more often.

The Kentucky Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (KAFCS) also handed out awards at its annual meeting at Berry Hill Mansion in Frankfort, Ky., in April. Several School of Human Environmental Sciences professionals and alumni were recognized for their work.

Brian FitzpatrickKAFCS recognized Brian Fitzpatrick, computer support specialist for the School of Human Environmental Sciences, with the Friend of KAFCS award, which honors an outstanding citizen or organization that has been instrumental in promoting family life.  Fitzpatrick is efficient, effective and extremely helpful in maintaining the online presence of KAFCS. In his spare time, he organizes the KAFCS website with current information, history, and pictures. Fitzpatrick easily managed a site redesign to make the website more like the national page and included links to Facebook.

Madison McAlmondMadison McAlmond, Nicholas County FCS Extension agent, received the KAFCS New Achiever Award. The award honors a family and consumer sciences professional with an earned degree in FCS who has at least three but not more than eight years of service to the field and is an active member of AAFCS. McAlmond has been a member of KAFCS since she was a student at UK, has held various officer positions, and attended all annual and fall leadership meetings for the past few years. Now, she is serving as the treasurer of KAFCS for two years. This award recognizes members for their potential of achieving significant accomplishments in or through family and consumer sciences. Her application will be forwarded to AAFCS for consideration of the New Achiever Award at the national level.

Pam SiglerHES alumnae Pam Sigler earned the Outstanding Professional Award, honoring an outstanding leader who has been professionally active at the state and national levels. Sigler is a senior Extension specialist in program and staff development. She previously worked as an Extension specialist in FCS Extension and served as director for the Nutrition Education Program. She has been active in AAFCS/KAFCS annual meetings and in leadership roles including the annual meeting planning committee, the silent auction committee, and the scholarship committee. Sigler is a constant champion for all things FCS.

Cherie MingusCherie Mingus, HES alumna and Hall of Fame member, received the Wiley-Berger Award in recognition of her outstanding effort in a volunteer capacity to improve the public well-being. Mingus is a former teacher of family and consumer sciences and is involved in several community service projects that improve the quality of life for those around her. For 17 years, she has been a member of the board for Youth Theatre of Hardin County. She is a frequent volunteer with the Hardin County Schools Performing Arts Center and a leader in the Cecelia and Hardin County Extension Homemakers. Her involvement in the community demonstrates her belief in everything that family and consumer sciences represents.


Author: Alyssa Simms
Terms: FCS