ISSUED: 17 March 2015
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — Family and Consumer Science professionals from across the state will come to Shepherd University March 27-28 for the annual meeting of the West Virginia Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.
The event will kick off with some pre-meeting activities Friday afternoon and evening, including a behind-the-scenes tour of Shepherd’s dining services, a Dutch treat dinner at the Bavarian Inn, and a student get-together and mixer.
Dr. Kathleen Corpus, chair of the Department of Business Administration and Family and Consumer Sciences, said the organization’s membership is a diverse group that includes educators, cooperative extension agents, and nutritionists. Corpus said the meeting provides great networking opportunities, and she hopes as many students as possible will attend.
“I like to get students involved because these are the people who know where the jobs are and know what’s open or is going to open,” Corpus said. “I have yet to go to one of these meetings that I didn’t see members who want to meet students and help them get jobs.”
The schedule on Saturday includes two keynote addresses. Dr. Keith Alexander, assistant professor of history, will give the talk about “Historic Preservation: A Connection to Healthy Families and Communities.” Daila Boufford, director of professional development for the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, will discuss “Utilizing Web-Based Content for Continued Learning.”
Topics for breakout sessions include:
- “Personal Financial Planning: A Life Cycle Approach” by Corpus
- “From High School to Post-Secondary Schooling: A Path to Success for Students with Disabilities” by Michael Madden, coordinator of Shepherd’s disability support services
- “What Exactly is the New West Virginia Pre-K Program and What Does it Mean for Family and Consumer Sciences?” by Dr. Laura Porter, program director of assessment, accreditation, and analysis in the College of Education and Human Services at West Virginia University
- “Tour of the Family and Consumer Sciences Food Science Lab and Textile Lab” with F.A.C.S. students
Student posters and exhibits will be on display during the meeting.
Corpus said nonmembers are welcome to attend the conference.
“If someone’s in education, or in historic preservation, or in webinars or web-based instruction, they are more than welcome to sign up,” she said.
The cost for registration that is postmarked by March 20 is $30 for regular members and nonmembers, and $20 for students. The price goes up $10 after March 20. For more information, contact Corpus at 304-876-5318 or at kcorpus@shepherd.edu.
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