Lee Ann Bullington
Name: Lee Ann Bullington
What is your academic background and educational interests in Nutrition & Family Sciences?
I have a BS in FCS Education and an MS in Family and Consumer Sciences.
What do you like the most about UCA?
I like my coworkers the best and it is also a beautiful campus.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
I would say take a minute, travel more and just enjoy life before I began serious adulting.
If you had to live in either a library or a zoo for the rest of your life, which you choose and why?
That is tough. I would want to live in the library because you would be able to go so many places without going anywhere. However, I would want to choose the zoo because I need sunlight. I guess I would choose and outdoor library if possible.
Were you a first generation or low-income college student? If so, what was that like for you? (For example: Did your family encourage getting a higher degree? Did you always feel like you would be able to get into or “make it” in college? Did you have a good support system in college? How did you overcome any obstacles that may have prevented your from obtaining a Ph.D.?)
Yes, I was a first generation college student. My parents were not involved in my college education. I do not remember navigating college such as classes being the difficult aspect. Rather, I remember being overwhelmed at the size of Conway. I rarely left campus. I came from a really small town so the number of people was an adjustment for me. After the first week on campus and the initial shock I never doubted I would make it. Being involved in Intramurals and Christian organizations on campus helped me make friends.
Did you go to college with the intention of getting the job you have now? If not, explain how you came to the position you are in now.
No. I did not know what career much less job I would choose when I first enrolled. This particular job occurred when Dr. Harlan reached out to me an asked if I would be willing to teach some classes. It would take a lot longer to explain how I chose FCS Education.
What’s the most unique or interesting job you’ve ever had?
I would say either operating a fireworks business or working for my dad on the farm.
Looking to the future, how do you believe nutrition, families, and communities may change?
I cannot predict how it will change but I know it will continue to adjust as families change and their needs change. I do know our profession will stay relevant because families will always be relevant.
Academic Advisor: FCS BSE
Teaching:
- FACS 4355 Curriculum in FACS Education
- FACS 4450 Internship I
- FACS 4680 Internship II
- FACS 4681 Internship II
Hobbies:
My hobbies are chasing my kids from one activity to the next and when I’m not doing that I do enjoy time spent on our cattle farm.
Stephanie Alsbrook
Name: Stephanie Alsbrook
What is your academic background and educational interests in Nutrition & Family Sciences?
I earned my BS in Dietetics and my MS in Nutrition from UCA. I completed my dietetic internship at UAMS, and I just applied to the PhD in Change Leadership for Equity and Inclusion program at UCA. I have chosen this area of study because I believe that the intersection of Nutrition and Family Science with public health, government/policy, and business will provide our profession with future opportunities and challenges.
What do you like the most about UCA?
I love the history on campus and its connections to our communities and shared histories in the state.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
Stay calm! Everything is going to be just fine!
If you had to live in either a library or a zoo for the rest of your life, which would you choose and why?
I would choose to live in a zoo for the rest of my life because I love visiting zoos, especially aquariums. I think I would always be entertained and learning from the animals.
Were you a first generation or low-income college student? If so, what was that like for you? (For example: Did your family encourage getting a higher degree? Did you always feel like you would be able to get into or “make it” in college? Did you have a good support system in college? How did you overcome any obstacles that may have prevented your from obtaining a Ph.D.?)
Neither of my parents obtained a college degree. However, one set of my grandparents did. And, as a single mom, my mother went back to community college to improve her skills for a specific job she wanted. So, I had a unique view of college. I always knew that I wanted to attend college and focused my extracurricular activities in high school on exposing me to the world of higher education. I had mentors in 4-H, international science fair, and Future Business Leaders of America that encouraged me to try new things and helped me gain the confidence to do so. I still rely on those mentors today!
Did you go to college with the intention of getting the job you have now? If not, explain how you came to the position you are in now.
I have wanted to be a registered dietitian since I was 14 years old and met an RD through my 4-H projects. I have always enjoyed teaching and leading others. Being a professor at UCA is my dream job!
What’s the most unique or interesting job you’ve ever had?
In college, I counted flies at 14 dairy barns in Searcy and Van Buren Counties for the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service and the Arkansas Dairy Cooperatives.
Looking to the future, how do you believe nutrition, families, and communities may change?
Many people believe that nutrition and family science is an old, outdated area of study. Some believe that everyone knows how to eat and manage a family. But, I believe now more than ever that the skills and knowledge taught in our department are relevant to individuals and families, society, science, and our future. The skills we have in entrepreneurship, food safety, clothing construction, budgeting, and nutrition have never been more at the forefront of everyone’s needs than they are today in a post-COVID world. Not only do families need these skills, but so do the businesses, industries, and manufacturers who are trying to feed and clothe our world. And, let’s be honest, we need some improvements. Nutrition and Family Science majors are the best prepared group to solve our world problems. We simply need to be more involved in business, public policy, and public health.
Academic Advisor: Dept of Nutrition and Family Sciences Graduate Assistants
Teaching:
- NUTR 1100 Introduction to Dietetics
- NUTR 1300 Foundations of Nutrition
- NUTR 3380 Food Economics
- NUTR 4321 Nutrition Services Administration
- NUTR 4339 Community Nutrition Practicum
- NUTR 4352 Experimental Food Science