UTM Family and Consumer Sciences

Dean Winters ran into FCS at UTM *Star* Alum Elizabeth Sanders, who is pursuing her Ph.D. at Virginia Tech University. Great to see you and good luck, Elizabeth!

Kristy Long, UTM FCS-Education Senior, had the great privilege of meeting Dr. Jan Bowers this week at the AAFCS Annual Conference. Dr. Bowers made a huge contribution in shaping the future of FCS by designing the original FCCLA STAR competitions. Kristy is a huge advocate of FCCLA and will be attending and competing at the FCCLA National Leadership Conference in July.

Kristy, President of UTM's FCCLA Chapter, along with her officer team, established the first collegiate Chapter in Tennessee this past year. It was an honor for her to meet Dr. Bowers.

Dr. Melissa Wood presented, "Empowering FCS Educators: Using Research to Shape Future Professional Development" at the 2026 AAFCS Annual Conference in Louisville, KY this past week.

Kristy Long, UTM FCSE Senior, was awarded the Betsy Norum Award this year at the AAFCS Annual Conference in Louisville, TN. This award is a financial award to help students have opportunities to gain knowledge from contacts, content, and stimulation derived from the wide variety of programs and activities offered and to provide important experiences for pre-professionals majoring in one of the varied areas encompassed by Family and Consumer Sciences.

It is with great sorrow we let you know of the passing of Dr. Jeff Plant, former Assoc. Professor of Interior Design. Many of our alumni will remember how he loved teaching and inspiring others to do their best.

Dr. Jeffrey Plant Obituary May 31, 2026 - Hooper, Huddleston & Horner Funeral Homes & Cremation Services View Dr. Jeffrey Plant's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

Recently, UTM Family and Consumer Sciences alumna (M.S.F.C.S. '19), Lisa Haley, graduated with her Ph.D. from Liberty University. Her dissertation was titled, "The Interactions of Faith Development, Attachment with Relational Authenticity, and Theory of Mind in Children with Adverse Childhood Experiences." Soaring!

Yesterday (L-R), Dr. Amy Richards, Dr. Melissa Wood, Ms. Lori Littleton & Heidi Busch presented at the 2026 annual conference of the Tennessee Association of Family & Consumer Sciences. These UTM Family and Consumer Sciences Faculty with Paul Meek Library faculty member, Ms. Busch, presented their pilot project, "One Step at a Time for a Healthy Future" to improve student nutrition, exercise, health, and wellness.

It’s National Child’s Day! Child & Family Studies is one of the rewarding career paths in the UTM Family and Consumer Sciences major! www.utm.edu. Let your Dream’s take Flight at UT Martin!

Three generations of UT Martin students—all in the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences. Wyatt Poole, second from left, graduated from Haywood High School and is headed to UTM this fall to study Agricultural Engineering Technology. His Aunt Katie Dees, (far left), Grandfather Bill Wyatt, and mother Sarah Poole (far right) are all UT Martin CAAS alumni. Prepare for Takeoff, Wyatt!

UT Martin Alumni & Friends