In recent months, three new Extension specialists have joined Family and Consumer Sciences Extension. We are pleased to welcome Angelica Reina to our team and Nicole Peritore and Sally Mineer to their new positions.
Angelica Reina began her work as Senior Extension Specialist for Child Development and Parenting in May 2015. Prior to this position, she conducted research focused on four areas impacting Latina immigrant mothers living in the United States: 1) the experiences of Latina victims with domestic violence services, 2) physical and mental health, 3) Latino youth schooling experience, and 4) the development of resilience in the face of dramatic life situations. Angelica’s research work has been guided by critical feminist perspectives and informed by socio-structural contexts and culture. She looks forward to applying her research findings toward improving the well-being of families in the Commonwealth through her work with Extension agents and Extension programming. Angelica received the Graduate School Research Excellence Award for outstanding dissertation in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies and the Midwestern Association of Graduate School Thesis Award at Iowa State University. She holds a B.A. in Psychology, a M.S. in Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies and a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies.
Nicole Peritore was named Extension Specialist for Family Health in April 2015. Nicole is no stranger to Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, having joined UK in 2009 as the Get Moving Kentucky Coordinator with Health Education through Extension Leadership. In that role, she developed, evaluated and supported programming efforts addressing various health-related issues. Her work and interaction with various committees and organizations including Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky and Kentucky Voices for Health positions Nicole well to launch quickly into her tasks of supporting and promoting healthy living in Kentucky and beyond. She has a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, a master’s degree in kinesiology and health promotion and is currently pursuing a doctorate in health communication. She serves on the USDA Subcommittee for Professional Training and is a member of the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy’s Health Policy Issues Education team.
Sally Mineer was named Extension Specialist for Professional Development in July 2015. She transitioned to this position after serving 27 years as Lewis County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences. Sally has served as a mentor to new agents throughout her career, was a recognized leader in her community and empowered others in her community to lead. She earned her B.S. in Vocational Home Economics Education from Morehead State University and her M.S. in Vocational Education from the University of Kentucky. Sally is a member of the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS), American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS), and Epsilon Sigma Phi (ESP). She has been an active member in the associations and held the office of state affiliate president in both NEAFCS and AAFCS. Sally has been awarded the Distinguished Service Award and Continued Excellence Award from NEAFCS and the Outstanding Leader from the Kentucky affiliate of AAFCS.
Dr. Cherry Kay Smith, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Program Leader, shared, “We are excited to have Angelica as part of our team and welcome Nicole and Sally to their new roles. We look forward to their contributions in support of FCS Extension agents and programming as we work to improve the quality of life for Kentuckians.”