Oklahoma State University Human Development and Family Science Department

Gus Avendano, a junior in our Family and Consumer Sciences Education program, was selected to serve as an intern with National FCCLA this summer!! We’re excited for him and this incredible opportunity for him to expand his leadership skills! Gus currently serves as President of our OSU Collegiate FCCLA and had served as a state officer with Oklahoma FCCLA.

OSU College of Education and Human Sciences The Shepherd - OSUCEHS

Faculty from our program participated in OSU’s Junior Day, and had the opportunity to visit with lots of potential students as well as their family members! Drs. Brandt Gardner, Nikki Huckabay, and Paula Tripp loved sharing information about our Child and Family Services, Early Child Care and Development, Early Childhood Education, and Family and Consumer Sciences Education undergraduate programs.

The Department of Human Development and Family Science was well represented today in their exhibit during the Oklahoma FCCLA State Convention!! We visited with many of the 4,500 attendees who were FCCLA members, advisers, and guests. Shown from left are faculty members Drs. Joseph Kim, Alex Bishop, Nikki Huckabay, and Paula Tripp.

We love this post that focuses on our public school teachers! In our department students can choose to major in Early Childhood Education with Jenn Stepp or Family and Consumer Sciences Education with Paula J Tripp. Graduates of both programs are in high demand as teachers!!

Today might be April Fool’s Day, but this is no joke: Oklahoma educators show up every day with dedication, creativity and compassion for their students. The work happening in classrooms across our state is real and worth celebrating.

To our educators across the state, THANK YOU for all you do to support Oklahoma students. To everyone else reading this post, tag an educator who makes a difference every day in your school and give them a word of encouragement.

Photo: 2025 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Melissa Evon, M.Ed. addresses a group of high school students about why being a teacher is the best for people who want to make a positive difference.

We are incredibly proud of Emma Reid, spring 2025 graduate of our Early Childhood Education program, for receiving this distinctive recognition! She was an outstanding ECE student at OSU and is now the Rookie Teacher of the Year in the Edmond Public Schools district!! Congratulations, Emma!

We love showcasing our Cleo L. Craig Child Development Lab!!

Let’s help name this baby!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdD8zSdXkuzfG5VsatBYnyeYcuHcDtUEKV2-xTAgyvT8HfJdg/viewform

From student leader to dedicated educator, Kaitlyn Kirksey’s journey in family and consumer sciences is nothing short of inspiring. Now teaching at Edmond Public Schools, she’s passionate about preparing students for success, whether through industry skills, leadership development or building confidence.

Learn more about Kaitlyn’s story and her impact on students in the latest CareerTech Champion series --> https://bit.ly/3PbPUeF

Oklahoma FCCLA
Oklahoma State University Human Development and Family Science Department