The Arkansas Affiliate of the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) will hold its annual conference at UCA this Thursday and Friday. Family and consumer sciences professionals will participate, including university and secondary educators, extension agents, dietitians, and business professionals. The student units from each state university will also attend this meeting.
AAFCS has a goal of “bringing people together to improve the lives of individuals, families and communities.” The conference theme is “Aspire to Inspire.” The keynote speaker will be the national executive director of AAFCS, Carolyn Jackson, who will discuss professionalism and the direction of the association on the national level. In addition, Don Bingham, Director of Special Activities at UCA, will be promoting healthy choices in food and lifestyle. Charlotte Strickland, Education Seminar Coordinator at UCA will be speaking on group motivation, involvement, and team building. Paul Kelly, senior policy analyst with Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families will updating members on the state level work to promote quality after school and summer programs for Arkansas youth.
Mary Harlan and Renee Ryburn, both of UCA, have previously served as president of the Arkansas AAFCS Affiliate. Pam Bennett of UCA is the president-elect. UCA’s student unit of AAFCS will be helping to host the meeting. Jennifer Main of UCA is the current president-elect of the student unit.