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Fall Quarterly News Update

Greetings FCS Members,

I collect family and consumer sciences (FCS) t-shirts. In fact, most of my t-shirts are related to FCS or FCCLA. Does your t-shirt drawer look the same? I’m not quite sure how my collection began, but I suspect my love for a great t-shirt and a pair of comfortable jeans played a role. Maybe it’s the allure of FCS t-shirts—how they capture a moment in time, a shared experience, or a deep personal connection to the field—that keeps me coming back for more.

I have t-shirts from Iowa, Colorado, North Carolina, Kentucky, Purdue University, Texas Tech University, and even one featuring Ellen Swallow Richards, just to name a few. Each one has its own story of how it made its way into my drawer. One day, I hope to own an FCS or FCCLA t-shirt from every state in the U.S.

As I reflect on my FCS t-shirts, I’ve realized that each one—whether it’s a souvenir from a national conference, a gift from a mentor, or a memento of a student’s project—represents more than just a piece of clothing. They are tangible reminders of the passion and dedication that fuel the field of FCS. These shirts symbolize community, achievement, and the enduring legacy of FCS.

I encourage you to find those tangible reminders of the passion and dedication you have for FCS. Share it with others whether in personal conversations, a newsletter or even in-person at the ACTE CareerTech VISION Conference in San Antonio, Texas. Let’s continue to work together to build a strong FCS legacy across this country. 

P.S. Wear your favorite FCS t-shirt to the FCS Division opening session at VISION– I’ll be sure to have mine on too!

Sincerely,

Katy Blatnick-Gagne, Ed. D

VP, Family & Consumer Sciences Division

FCS Division News

The FCS Division Annual Business Meeting will be held virtually on Wednesday, Nov. 13. You must register to receive the Zoom link to attend. 

In 1960, the FCS Education Division of the Association for Career and Technical Education (formerly AVA) began a fellowship fund to provide fellowships to graduate students who would become the future leaders in the FCS education profession. If you are a current student in a FCS related graduate program, use the information below to identify if you are a good candidate for Fellowship Award recognition. In addition, below is information needed to complete the application process.

Am I a Good Candidate for the ACTE/FCS Graduate Fellowship?

Consider the following:

• I am progressing in my degree program to enhance my FCS education career and have a rather clear timeline for completion.
• I am working in and have made contributions to (local, state, regional, and/or national) the FCS education profession. 
• I am a current member of ACTE and show some evidence of involvement (local, state, regional, national) in FCS professional associations.
• Doctoral Candidates - I show some evidence of professional experience in FCS education and I show progress toward, or more extensive, scholarly work.

Graduate Fellowship Award Criteria

Applications will be rated on:

• The likelihood of completing graduate degree
• The likelihood of contributing to family and consumer sciences education at secondary level and/or at the university level in a teacher education program
• Previous academic work
• Professional association involvement and leadership
• Professional experience including scholarly work (doctoral candidates)
• References

Application Process and Materials

Applications that are COMPLETE with all materials listed below, and submitted by Oct. 31, will be considered for review. Following are the items applicants will need to submit to be considered for a fellowship:

• Completed ACTE/FCS Graduate Fellowship Survey attaching the below documents within/at the bottom of the Graduate Fellowship Survey
• Copy of transcripts from ALL institutions attended for FCS related programs--undergraduate and graduate
• A brief (no more than two single-spaced pages) autobiographical sketch stating your FCS related professional goals and involvement (FCCLA advisor, state FCCLA activities, student teaching supervision, professional organization leadership roles/participation, etc.). Include discussion of the institution where graduate work is in process, areas or emphases of scholarly work, possible research topic(s), and other pertinent information regarding future plans
• Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to your work (FCS professional, professor, past employer) that speak to:
• Professional and academic qualifications 
• Involvement/participation in, and potential to contribute to, the FCS profession. 
• At least one recommendation should come from a recognized/known FCS education professional/leader
• Current professional picture

Outstanding Contributions Award

Recipient must be a member of the FCS Division. Contributions to FCS and the FCS Division of ACTE will be emphasized. Additional information can be found on the award application.

Citation Award

Recipients will be individuals or groups outside FCS education, such as: 

• U.S. Representatives or Senators 
• Business and industry people or groups 
• People or groups from the media 
• Other professionals 
• Others—unspecified  

To be qualified, a recipient must have made significant contributions to FCS education beyond local levels in one or more of the following areas: 

• Service 
• Monetary Support 
• Other unusual or unique contributions.

From ACTE

Exercise Your Right to Vote!

Renew Your Membership by Nov. 6

Be sure your membership is current by Nov. 6 so that you can exercise your right to vote in the 2025 ACTE board of directors’ election.

Join Us for the CTE Event of the Year! 

Register by Oct. 13 and Save!

ACTE’s CareerTech VISION happens this Dec. 4–7 in San Antonio, Texas, and we are so excited to welcome you to our career and technical education (CTE) event of the year! At VISION, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Gather with your peers and grow professionally.
• Expand your professional development with hundreds of concurrent sessions, workshops and tours to choose from 
• Ignite your inspiration while you learn from innovative keynote speakers and leaders on our main stage.
• Explore the CareerTech Expo, which features hundreds of exhibits, workshops and demonstrations.
• Celebrate the extraordinary contributions of CTE professionals, programs and organizations at the ACTE Awards Gala.

Register by Oct. 13 to take advantage of discounted rates!

Extend Your VISION Experience with Catapult Masterclasses

Join us for a CareerTech VISION special offer! Gain transformative insights and increased support for your programs through Catapult’s masterclasses. Equipping you with the tools to advance career-connected learning and CTE, Catapult makes education relevant for your students. Choose from the following on-demand masterclasses and receive content access for five months. ACTE members who attend VISION will receive a 10% discount on each masterclass!

• Career Readiness
• Employer Partnerships
• Instructional Excellence
• Student Recruitment and Marketing
• Work-based learning

Click the button to learn more and sign up via CareerTech VISION registration.

WBL 2025 Call for Presentations

Share your work-based learning expertise and model programs at ACTE’s Work-based Learning Conference 2025, happening April 2–4 at the Hyatt Bellevue on Seattle’s eastside in Bellevue, Washington. This event is focused on supporting the delivery of quality experiences that foster in-depth, firsthand engagement with the skills required in a given career field. The deadline to submit a proposal is Oct 14. 

Student Video Challenge: What is Artemis?

ACTE and NASA HUNCH are excited to host the 2024–25 student video challenge. This year’s theme: “What is Artemis?” This annual video contest offers students the opportunity to showcase the application of CTE and project-based learning programs in high-demand career fields on Earth and in space. The contest is open to students of all ages, including elementary, middle school, high school and postsecondary students and any student who is homeschooled. Submit a two-minute video by April 1.

Apply Now! Postsecondary CTE Leadership Program Opportunity

Tailored for postsecondary CTE professionals, the NextLevel Postsecondary CTE Leadership Program at ACTE, sponsored by the ECMC Foundation, is a nationally recognized program, providing career growth opportunities that are engaging, individualized and memorable. Now a registration-based initiative, registration fees for accepted applicants will be $3,000 (not including lodging or travel for in-person events). The deadline to apply for this premier program is Jan. 17. 

Upcoming Free ACTE Webinars on CTE Learn

• Using Digital Illustration to Spark Creativity, Visual Thinking & Media Synergy, Oct. 24, 5:00 p.m. ET
• Maximizing Access and Success for Special Populations: Career Exploration and Planning, Nov. 12, 2:00 p.m. ET

Visit Community Groups to learn more and get involved!