Fellowships

The American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) awards graduate fellowships to individuals who have exhibited the potential to make contributions to the family and consumer sciences profession.  Individuals who receive a graduate fellowship will receive financial support for the study of family and consumer sciences and a commemorative certificate.  The name of the recipient and fellowship won will be reported in the AAFCS Annual Conference Program Book.  Also, recipients of some fellowships will receive support toward one year of AAFCS membership and participation in the AAFCS Annual Conference, where the fellowship award will be presented. 

Previous Fellowship Recipients

Kristian Hogans: 2021 Mary Cochran Fellowship Recipient

  • Degree sought: Doctor of Philosophy; Polymer, Fibers, and Textile Sciences
  • University of Georgia
Research Focus:
The exclusion of historically marginalized individuals and groups has created a limited perception of the fashion industry and the practices that represent it. My current research projects focusing on justice and a critical approach to clothing and textile education and pedagogy are proposed to develop approaches that challenge students’ and professionals’ problem-solving and advances them into responsible fashion professionals with equitable values and practices.
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Tania Naber: 2021 Mildred Davis Fellowship Recipient

  • Degree sought: Master of Science in Allied Health with a Concentration in Nutrition and combined Dietetic Internship (MSDI)
  • Augusta University
  • Georgia Affiliate Member
Research Focus:
"Sugar-free foods and beverages are popular and gain interest due to their reduced calories, lower glycemic index, and anti-cariogenic. Polyols, such as maltitol, are preferred over sweeteners because they replicate sucrose's texture and taste more closely. . . . Most sugar-free candy in the United States contains maltitol as the sweetening agent. Maltitol is banned from use in food and beverages in many areas globally, including the European Union. The ban comes from the adverse side effects that follow upon ingestion. . . there are two polyols on the shelves currently; a person is entitled to the knowledge to choose the product that will not lead to adverse effects. The field of Family & Consumer Sciences stands for people to achieve the highest quality of life by making informed decisions from the knowledge discovered from science and the community."

Charlene Smith, NBCT: 2021 Jewell Taylor Fellowship Recipient

  • Degree sought:  Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis in Career and Technical Education
  • Old Dominion University
  • Pennsylvania Affiliate Member
Research Focus
FCS educators’ self-efficacy as it relates to teaching STEM concepts. I am interested in the factors that lead to teachers having increased levels of self-efficacy when teaching STEM. Additionally, I will look at FCS educators’ STEM literacy. I hope to use this information as a way to guide undergraduate programs in FCS education as well as professional development opportunities on a local, state, and national level. I hope that my research will benefit the field through dissemination in research journals and conferences, especially those supported by AAFCS. I believe that my research will help to increase student interest and literacy in STEM, because it can improve teachers’ ability to provide meaningful, hands-on STEM opportunities in FCS courses.