AAFCS Honors Four A&T Faculty

The leadership acumen of four faculty members from the School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at North Carolina A&T State University was recognized at the annual conference of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) in Indianapolis in June. The following faculty received honors:

• Dr. Rosa S. Purcell, associate professor of family and consumer sciences, was presented with a 2012 Distinguished Service Award, in recognition of her leadership in family and consumer sciences, professional and leadership contributions at both state and national levels. The award is the highest award presented by the professional association.
  Purcell is a dynamic and motivational leader in family and consumer sciences locally and nationally. Her career has progressed from public schools to higher education, in roles as teacher, administrator and professor. She has received grants and contracts which met the needs of public school teachers, individuals with disabilities and various communities. Her commitment to excellence is also exemplified in the attainment of licensure as a North Carolina Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher, Teacher Birth-Kindergarten, and as a Certified Family and Consumer Scientist.

• Dr. Valerie Giddings, chair of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, was elected chair of the AAFCS Council for Accreditation, and chair-elect of the Collegiate Assembly. Both bodies are involved with the accreditation of programs in family and consumer sciences in colleges and universities throughout the United States. During her tenure at N.C. A&T since 2008, Giddings has led or participated in research that brought more than $1 million in funding to the University. She is lead author or co-author of numerous book chapters and refereed publications. Giddings has won numerous awards and recognitions including her selection to serve as a fellow of the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO)-Kellogg Leadership Fellows Program, 2005-2006. Giddings received her Ph.D. in clothing and textiles from Virginia Tech.

• Dr. Shirley Hymon-Parker, associate dean for research, was installed as director-at-large for a term that will run from 2012-2014 on the AAFCS Board of Directors. A recognized leader in the field of family and consumer sciences, and a 2010 winner of the AAFCS Distinguished Service Award, Hymon-Parker has served as chair or co-chair of 25 professional committees and organizations, and in many other leadership capacities for other organizations, both professional and civic. She has also been recognized numerous times throughout her career for excellence in teaching, advising, and for her work in distance education. Her research interests include employment and industry trends in fashion retailing, rural entrepreneurship, and, most recently, childhood obesity. Hymon-Parker received her Ph.D. in education policy planning and administration from the University of Maryland.
  
  
• Dr. Jane Walker, professor of family and consumer sciences, was installed to serve a three-year term on the AAFCS Board of Directors. Walker, who is a past president of the North Carolina Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, has had a career-long research interest in leadership. She has led numerous funded research projects on the subject, and regularly makes presentations and publishes research-based articles about leadership. Walker serves or has served as chair of numerous professional committees both for the University and professional associations during her career, and is the editor of three textbooks. She received her Ph.D. in textile products marketing from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.