Pitt State Family & Consumer Sciences

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Pitt State Family & Consumer Sciences

Our FCS programs help you make a difference in the lives of children, families, and communities.

The Family & Consumer Sciences Department is one of the two original programs started on campus back in 1903. Our new building (2003), represents the latest in features for the 21st century in the fields of Early Childhood, Interior Design, Fashion Merchandising, Individual and Family Management and FCS Teacher Education. The Family and Consumer Sciences professional association is the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS.org).

09/03/2026

We’re continuing our faculty introduction series with Goldie Prelogar-Hernandez!

Goldie is a proud Pittsburg State University alumna who has continued her education and career right here at Pitt State. 🦍💛

🎓 Her Pitt State journey:
📚 B.S. — Family and Consumer Sciences, emphasis in Individual and Family Management, with a minor in Women’s Studies (2007)

📚 M.S. — Career and Technical Education, emphasis in Family and Consumer Sciences (2013)

📚 Ed.S. — Workforce Development and Education (2017)

💡 What inspired Goldie to pursue FCS?
"I've always been fascinated by the intersection of families, finances, relationships, and well-being. Helping people build healthier relationships with money and with each other felt like the perfect way to make a meaningful difference. Teaching future educators means that impact multiplies through every student they will one day teach."

🌎 Real-world experience
As a Certified Personal and Family Financial Educator (CPFFE), Goldie has trained educators across Kansas to teach financial literacy with confidence. She stays actively involved in professional organizations and research, bringing current examples and best practices into her classroom.

💰 Passionate about financial well-being
Goldie is especially passionate about making personal finance more accessible and inclusive. Her research explores financial well-being among marginalized populations, including LGBTQ+ communities and neurodivergent individuals.

She believes financial education should be practical, inclusive, and designed to meet people where they are—and she tries to add a little silliness and humor to a topic that traditionally stresses people out! 😄💵

🎓 Advice for future FCS professionals:
"Never stop being curious. The world, families, technology, and education are constantly changing. The best Family & Consumer Sciences professionals are lifelong learners who aren't afraid to ask questions, try new ideas, and continue growing alongside the people they serve."

We’re lucky to have Goldie as part of our FCS family!

08/31/2026

🌟 Alumni Spotlight: Rebecca Stone Weaverling 🌟

We’re excited to feature Rebecca Stone Weaverling, who graduated from Pittsburg State University in 2019 with a degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education!

🍎 Today, Rebecca is a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Lakewood Middle School in Salina, Kansas, where she is helping students develop skills they can use throughout their lives. Since graduating, Rebecca has also become a mother and earned her ESOL certification, continuing to grow both personally and professionally.

💡 Skills from Pitt State she uses every day:
"I work very hard to teach my students skills that will aid their ability to be self-sufficient in a world that is becoming a bit too turnkey."

Rebecca’s passion for FCS is evident in the way she helps students build confidence, independence, and practical skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom.

💛 Favorite Pitt State memories:
"I adored food labs with Dr. Cook, and channel my inner Goldie-fierceness when I encounter something particularly intimidating. I find that I miss the atmosphere and educators in the FCS department at Pitt State the most."

And of course, no Pitt State memory would be complete without mentioning the bagel sandwiches from Einstein Bros.—a favorite spot for writing papers and grabbing a quick lunch!

🎓 Advice for current students:
"Remember your passion for your craft. That'll be a distinguishing factor when searching for the school that will become your home away from home. You have a stake in a field that is often overlooked and underappreciated. Be your own force of nature when the life skills you teach are not appreciated at face value."

👏 Thank you, Rebecca, for continuing to advocate for Family and Consumer Sciences and for inspiring students to become confident, capable, and independent individuals. We are proud to call you a Gorilla!

08/30/2026

👀 ICYMI: Applications are OPEN for our School Year Educator Institutes (SYEIs)!

If you're a middle or high school FACS/CTE educator looking to bring hands-on, funded, real-world learning to your classroom while tackling food insecurity, this is for you.

📍 Pittsburg State University: Nov 5–7 (App Deadline: Sept 13)
📍 Wayne State College: Nov 12–14 (App Deadline: Sept 25)

Don't wait, spots are limited! ⏰We want to see YOU in our next cohort photo! 🏆📸

Learn more and apply at kidsfeedingkids.org.

08/27/2026

Here is another post in our series introducing our Family & Consumer Sciences faculty.

👋 Meet Sarah Winters! Ms. Sarah is the supervising lead preschool teacher in the Little Gorillas Preschool. She graduated from our child development program in 2013 with her bachelor's degree. She is currently working on her master's degree.

Learn more about Ms. Sarah⬇️

👶 Ms. Sarah worked as a preschool teacher in a Head Start program for 10 years.

🍎 What is one area of your expertise or research that you’re especially passionate about? Making learning fun and setting students up for a good, positive experience in school.

🎓 I hope that future early childhood professionals gain confidence in their teaching ability through their experiences alongside me in the preschool.

🗓 What is one piece of advice you give students preparing for this profession? Keep a good work-life balance

🏠 Complete this sentence: “Family & Consumer Sciences is important because…” it is often associated with teaching life skills, and those skills begin developing in the preschool years. Through play-based learning, children build communication, cooperation, problem-solving, independence, and healthy habits that serve as the foundation for lifelong success. At Little Gorillas Preschool, we nurture these essential skills in a caring environment while also preparing future early childhood professionals to support children and families for generations to come.

08/24/2026

🎉 Welcome Back, Little Gorillas! 🦍💛

Today marks the start of another exciting year at the Little Gorillas Preschool, and we couldn't be happier to welcome our newest and returning preschoolers and their families!

Since 1964, the Pittsburg State University Early Childhood Preschool Lab has been a place where children learn through play, build friendships, discover their world, and develop a lifelong love of learning. Every day, our classrooms are filled with curiosity, creativity, laughter, and meaningful experiences.

At Little Gorillas Preschool, our mission is to provide a safe, caring, and nurturing environment where children ages 2½ to 5 years can learn, play, and grow. We are proud to serve families from the Pittsburg community, including PSU students, faculty, staff, and alumni, while celebrating the unique backgrounds, abilities, and experiences of every child.

🍎 Our program is:
✨ Licensed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment
✨ Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) since 2012
✨ A hands-on learning laboratory where Pitt State students gain valuable experience working with young children as part of their early childhood coursework

The smiles, discoveries, and memories made this year will shape not only our preschoolers but also the future educators who learn alongside them.

Here's to a year filled with learning, laughter, friendship, and growth. Welcome back, Little Gorillas—we're so glad you're here! 💛🦍

👶 Interested in joining the Little Gorillas family in the future? We maintain a waiting list for future preschoolers. Join our waiting list here: https://tinyurl.com/263dfndc

08/20/2026

Here is another post in our series introducing our Family & Consumer Sciences faculty.

👋 Meet Dr. Amber Tankersley! Dr. Tankersley has taught early childhood courses at Pitt State and served as the director of the Little Gorillas Preschool since 2008.

Get to know Dr. T a little better! 👇

🎓 What inspired you to pursue a career in your field? I knew I wanted to be a teacher from an early age. At first, I wanted to teach high school history and quickly realized I was better equipped to work with younger children. After working with preschool-age children and becoming the director of a child development lab, I began working more with college students who were pursuing a degree in early childhood. That is when I realized how cool it was to work with children, families, AND college students who want to work with young children.

👩‍👧‍👦 What is one piece of advice you give students preparing for this profession? Take time to explore working in different settings and with different ages. When it feels "right," you will know you have found where you were meant to be.

🌸 Favorite quote: A young child, a fresh uncluttered mind, a world before him--to what treasures will you lead him? Gladys M. Hunt

08/17/2026

🎉 A new semester is here, and we couldn't be more excited to welcome students back to the Family & Consumer Sciences Department at Pittsburg State University!

Whether you're stepping onto campus for the first time, returning for another year, or preparing to graduate, we hope this semester is filled with new opportunities, meaningful connections, and memorable experiences.

Here's to learning, growing, and making a difference—both inside and outside the classroom. We can't wait to see what this semester has in store!

💛 Welcome back, Gorillas! Let's make it a great semester!

📸Share your back-to-school pic in the comments!

08/14/2026

💻 👶Did you know you can pursue a Child Development emphasis online through Pittsburg State University?

Our online Child Development emphasis is designed for working professionals, helping you deepen your knowledge of children from birth through age 8 while continuing to work in the field.

⭐ What makes the online program unique?

⏰ Flexible coursework designed to fit your professional life
👩‍👧 Hands-on activities, labs, and practicums that can utilize your professional environment
🧩 Opportunities to connect what you’re learning directly to your work with children and families
🧸 Electives that allow you to tailor your education to your career goals

You can even complement your Child Development emphasis with a minor such as:
📚 Family & Consumer Sciences
🌱 Leadership Studies
🩺 Public Health
🥗 Nutrition & Wellness
🏡 Human Ecology
🧠 Psychology

Our online Child Development emphasis can help you build knowledge and skills that make a difference.

🎓 Ready to take the next step? Full admission to Pittsburg State University is required, along with program-specific materials submitted to an FCS faculty advisor.

📩 Contact Dr. Heather Carter at [email protected] to learn more about how the online Child Development emphasis can fit into your professional goals!

08/13/2026

Here is another post in our series introducing our Family & Consumer Sciences faculty.

👋 Meet Ms. Jennifer Murray! Jennifer Murray is a Registered Dietitian who has taught nutrition and wellness courses for our department for the past ten years.

Get to know Jennifer a little better! 👇

🍅 What real-world experience do you bring to your classes? I have worn many hats in the field of dietetics. My professional experience includes working in community-based dietetics as a WIC Dietitian and Community RDN for the Oklahoma Department of Health, serving three counties. I have experience working as a clinical dietitian at Mercy and as a consultant dietitian at a renal dialysis center. In food safety and management, I am ServSafe Certified and have experience evaluating food safety practices in establishments as a consultant for Eco Sure. Alongside my teaching experience at Pitt, I was an adjunct instructor at the University of Central Missouri for 9 years.

🎓 What do you enjoy most about working with students? I love working with the students at such an exciting time in their lives, feeling their energy and enthusiasm, and watching them grow and gain confidence throughout their college experience. It is very rewarding to see the knowledge and skills learned applied in the real world allowing them to be productive members of society.

☕ What is your preferred route for caffeine? Coffee in the morning, Diet Coke later in the day.

08/10/2026

🌟 Alumni Spotlight: Nikki Hensley 🌟

We're excited to spotlight Nikki Hensley, who graduated from Pittsburg State University in May 2026 with a degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education!

🍎 Nikki recently began her teaching career as the 7th- and 8th-grade Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Carl Junction Junior High School. After graduation, she was thrilled to land a position close to her hometown, allowing her to stay near family and friends while even working in the same building as her fiancé!

💡 Skills from Pitt State she uses every day:
"I have used many skills, but especially those learned in class with Goldie Prelogar-Hernandez. She focused heavily on soft skills such as communication, cooperation, and professionalism. We worked on resumes and interview skills throughout the semester, and I truly believe these skills aided me in landing my job!"

💛 Favorite Pitt State memory:
"My favorite part of being in the PSU FCS program was the community I found within it. I had wonderful teachers who went above and beyond for us and taught us not only content, but true life lessons. I also met some lifelong friends that I will cheer on no matter where we end up. I am forever thankful for this incredible family."

🎓 Advice for current students:
"Remember your end goal! College can be daunting, especially as a freshman. Sometimes work piles up, and it can seem endless, but it is truly so worth it. Everything you learn is a stepping stone to the final destination."

👏 Congratulations, Nikki! We are proud of all you've accomplished and can't wait to see the positive impact you'll make in the lives of your students. Thank you for representing Pitt State and Family and Consumer Sciences so well!

Address

1701 S Broadway Street
Pittsburg, KS
66762

Telephone

+16202354457

Website

https://www.pittstate.edu/online/academic-programs/family-and-consumer-sciences/index.html

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