Alcorn State University Well-Represented at MAFCS Meeting

On February 17, 2017 employees and students, from the School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences Department of Human Sciences and the Extension Program, and the School of Arts and Sciences Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, participated in the Mississippi Association of Family and Consumer Sciences annual meeting in Raymond, Mississippi.

Participants from the School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences participated in various events, including competitive research poster presentations, presenting at educational sessions, as well as hosting a Department of Human Sciences exhibit.

Charmae Damper, senior, child development major, was awarded first place in the undergraduate research poster competition for her presentation titled, Use of Technology and Risk of Obesity for Preschool Children,” and LaTasha Coleman, teacher, Child Development Laboratory Center, was awarded first place in the graduate research poster competition for her presentation, “Importance of Early Intervention.” Tiara Stewart, I’maan A. Bracey, Zsatoria Smith, Shelia Felia, all seniors, hosted the Department of Human Sciences exhibit.

In the educational sessions, Tiffany Smith, research associate, ASU-Suicide Prevention Awareness and Reach through Kognito Program, presented on, Students Well-Being and Academic Achievement through ASU-SPARK Initiative, and Priscilla Houston, research aide, Parents and Children Engaged to Prevent Childhood Obesity Project, presented on Parental Engagement in Childhood Obesity Prevention.” Mr. Sajjal Neupane, freshman, computer science major, and a research assistant for PACE, served on the childhood obesity presentation team.

Attending the meeting were Extension staff Dr. Mattie Rasco, assistant professor/nutrition specialist, Valerie Wright, family and consumer sciences educator, Jarita Frazier-King, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program coordinator, and Jardana Brice, 4-H educator. Faculty from the Department of Human Sciences included Ouida Pittman, adjunct instructor, child development, and Dr. Martha Ravola, associate professor and assistant vice president of academic program support. Dr. Ravola serves as president, and Pittman, as vice president of professional development of the MAFCS.

Pittman, stated that she aspires to see more participation from faculty and staff in the ensuing years.

“Being a part of one’s professional organization is indeed important for professional affiliation and professional identity,” Ravola added.

Students were thrilled to be a part of the professional meeting and ardently wished they could have many more such opportunities, stated Bracey.

For further information about MAFCS, please visit www.msafcs.org. You may, also, contact Ouida Pittman [email protected] or 601-877-4710, or Dr. Martha Ravola, [email protected] or 601-877-4717.

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