May 9, 2023
Andres Elected to Serve as AAFCS President
K-State Research & Extension Agent named President-Elect.
Deb Andres, Geary County Family & Consumer Sciences Agent, has been elected to serve as President of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences 2023-24.
K-State Research and Extension is honored to announce the election of Geary County Family & Consumer Sciences Agent, Deb Andres, to the office of President of the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS). As a 33-year member of the Association, Deb brings experience through several state and national leadership roles and earned several awards ahead of her upcoming presidency, including Kansas Affiliate offices of President, President-Elect, Secretary, Vice-President of Operations, Vice-President of Member Services and Human Development & Family Studies Chair. Her national leadership contributions have included serving on the Association’s Leadership Academy Planning Team since its inception in 2011. She has co-facilitated a variety of leadership trainings associated with the Academy on topics such as Emotional Intelligence, CliftonStrengths, and Building Partnerships and Relations as part of the Leadership Journey. Deb has also been awarded the Kansas Affiliate FCS Teacher of the Year Award, Martha Streeter New Achiever Award, and Extension Leader Award. She has also been recognized as a national top-ten Family & Consumer Sciences AAFCS Teacher of the Year.
As President of AAFCS, Deb will preside over bi-weekly Board of Directors meetings, advance the work of the Association through presentations and advocacy, support the implementation of the association’s strategic plan, maintain existing and future partnerships with organizations that share the Family and Consumer Science common core values, and Chair the 2024 National AAFCS Meeting.
K-State Research and Extension is a statewide network of educators sharing unbiased, research-based information and expertise on issues important to Kansas. It has established local, state, regional, national, and international partnerships. With an office in every county in the state, Deb works with a variety of local organizations and non-profits to bring the research and resources of K-State to Geary County individuals and families.
K-State Research and Extension is dedicated to a safe, sustainable, competitive food and fiber system and to strong, healthy communities, families, and youth through integrated research, analysis and education. It is an extension of the work of our land-grant post-secondary institution: Kansas State University.
The American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences is the only professional association dedicated to family and consumer sciences students and professionals from both multiple practice settings and content areas. We are a broad-based 501 (c)(3) membership organization that connects FCS professionals to share knowledge, research, and experience.
This broad-based membership organization helps connect FCS professionals across multiple practice settings and content areas to share knowledge, research, and experience. AAFCS helps its members grow and accomplish more, both personally and professionally, by offering leadership support and opportunities for professional development and collaboration. Our organization understands today’s complex social and economic issues and helps members make an impact on the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities. The AAFCS mission further clarifies its work: “AAFCS elevates the profession by inspiring research, leadership, and service to empower individuals, families and communities.”
Family and Consumer Sciences or FCS is the comprehensive body of skills, research, and knowledge that helps people make informed decisions about their well-being, relationships, and resources to achieve optimal quality of life. The field represents many areas, including human development, personal and family finance, housing and interior design, food science, nutrition, and wellness, textiles and apparel, and consumer issues.
AAFCS works alongside many partner organizations including: Association of Career and Technical Education; Alliance for Family & Consumer Science; Aramark; American Heart Association; Family, Career and Community Leaders of America; U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Forrest T. Jones & Company; Goodheart-Wilcox Publisher; Home Baking Association; MyPlate.gov; Kappa Omicron Nu, Human Science Honor Society; LifeSmarts; JumpStart; National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Science, USDA: NIFA; USDA: FNS; Pearson Publishing, and Wiley Publishers.
Deb will take office at the end of the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences National Meeting to be held in Baltimore, Maryland June 21 thru 26, 2023.