The Kentucky Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (KAFCS) recently held their 2012 annual meeting. Awards were received by two of UK's Family and Consumer Sciences Extension agents and one Family and Consumer Sciences Extension specialist.

Brooke Jenkins-HowardBrooke Jenkins-Howard, the Magoffin County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences, received the KAFCS Leader Award. This award is given to a KAFCS member who possesses exemplary leadership skills. Jenkins-Howard proves worthy of this award through her many contributions and activities. She has held many leadership roles in the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS), KAFCS and the Kentucky Extension Association for Family and Consumer Sciences (KEAFC). Among these positions are AAFCS Member of the President's Unit, KAFCS President and KEAFCS Area President. In addition to her leadership roles, Jenkins-Howard has also demonstrated dedication to these roles by advising those who have succeeded her in an office she has previously held. Her nominator offers, "She is always willing to assist." In the past, Jenkins-Howard has also received the Karen Davis-Parker Outstanding Extension Agent Award. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Family Sciences.

Elizabeth CreedElizabeth Creed, the Marion County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences, was awarded the KAFCS New Achiever Award. This award recognizes emerging professionals who have shown potential for making significant contributions in family and consumer sciences (FCS). Since her quick transition from student to professional by accepting the position of Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent in 2008, Creed has made many contributions to the field of family and consumer sciences. She has been an active member of KAFCS and has been willing to accept leadership roles including state secretary and western district president. She represented KAFCS as a senator at the 2011 AAFCS meeting. In addition to her dedication to the association, Creed has worked in Marion County to establish educational programs that address community needs. Creed's "Meltdown Marion County" program has provided educational sessions to empower participants to achieve weight loss, physical activity and healthy eating goals.

Pam SiglerPam Sigler, Extension Specialist for Curriculum and Instruction in Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, was recognized as the Outstanding Professional in Family and Consumer Sciences. This award is given to a KAFCS member that exemplifies the word professional. Sigler is an active member of KAFCS, serving in various leadership roles. In addition to her work in Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, she has also serves as instructor for HES 100, a core course required for all human environmental sciences students at the University of Kentucky. Sigler serves as the advisor to UK's student chapter of AAFCS. Sigler has planned several interesting field trips for the members, and is empowering the student leaders to take steps to grow the chapter.

The School of Human Environmental Sciences congratulates Brooke Jenkins-Howard, Elizabeth Creed and Pam Sigler for their well-deserved recognitions.

Posted 4/3/12