Edgar Chambers IV will become editor-in-chief of the Journal of Sensory Studies beginning in 2010. Currently he is co-editor. He’ll do the job for at least a year, he said.

“My responsibilities as co-editor and as editor-in-chief are to ensure that the journal remains the leading journal in sensory science, to coordinate the review of scientific articles, to ultimately accept or reject articles for publication in the journal, and to enhance the experience of readers of the journal,” he said.

Chambers is the director of K-State’s  Sensory Analysis Center and University Distinguished Professor, Sensory Analysis and Consumer Behavior, in human nutrition.

Kevin Roberts and Kevin Sauer have been named co-editors of the Journal of Foodservice Management and Education. They are assistant professors in the Department of Hospitality Management and Dietetics.

They plan to update the submission process and overall systems, Sauer said.

The journal is published jointly by Foodservice Systems Management Education Council and The National Association of College & University Food Services.

The council’s mission is to advocate for foodservice and dietetic management education, research, and practice and support members in teaching and research efforts.

Walter Schumm, professor in family studies and human services, has been named editor of the Journal of Marriage and Family Review. His term as editor will be 2010 to 2014.

“I will review and obtain peer reviews for dozens of articles a year and decide which ones are the best for this journal,” he explained. The 30-year-old journal is devoted to the study of the family unit and the complex issues affecting today’s families.

Content includes “cutting-edge research, theory, and practice relevant to a wide variety of disciplines such as marriage and family studies, sociology, psychology, education, child development, social work, urban and policy studies, anthropology, public health and communication studies.”

Prepared by Human Ecology communications

The program allows students to choose classes from a variety of disciplines so they can develop a well-rounded background in human development,

“In addition to the required course work, we offer a large number of elective courses, enabling students to choose among several different areas of emphasis to develop their own unique area of specialization, including early childhood, youth and gerontology,” said Mary DeLuccie, professor of family studies and human services.

The degree will provide students with the knowledge of human development and how it relates to the family. Students also will learn about programs and services that are beneficial in raising the quality of life for individuals and families.

Graduates have a wide field for employment: youth programs, family and community service programs, residential programs, the judicial system, cooperative extension, higher education, elder care facilities and public health programs.

To be eligible for the program, students must have  completed at least 30 credit hours of college course work.

More information about the family studies and human services bachelor’s degree completion program and complete application information are available on the K-State Division for Continuing Education web site.

The meeting will be held Monday, October 19 from 3:45-4:30pm in 139 Campus Creek Complex, Room 223.

If you have any questions please contact Robert Garcia, Program Director by email at rgarcia@ksu.edu or telephone (785 532-6879).

A copy of the Standards for Accreditation and/or the CAA’s Policy on Public Comment may be obtained by:

• Contacting the Accreditation Office, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, MD, 20850;
• Calling ASHA’s Action Center at 800-498-2071; or
• Accessing the documents on ASHA’s Web site

VonFeldt was initiated into the society in fall 2008. Members must have a grade point average of 3.4 or above and rank in the top 20 percent of their class. After graduating from K-State, VonFeldt intends to go to graduate school and eventually work as a speech pathologist with elementary-age children. She is from Wamego.

Prepared by K-State media relations

HRM interns climb highest mountains

Fifty-three hotel and restaurant management students did professional internships, a requirement for graduation. Courtney Cole, left atop Mt. Healy, Casey Walker and Clayton Connor worked with Aramark in Denali National Park, Alaska. The experience offered career contacts and the chance to explore Alaska, Connor said. And see grizzlies. Also at Denali were Danielle Rodriguez and Anthony Fagan. Amy Armstrong traveled the farthest for her HRM internship. She worked with Maldron Hotels in Dublin, Ireland.

Volunteers in Africa research thesis, project

Courtney Held, left back row, and Valerie Stull, right back row, pose with the youngsters at Good Shepherd Children’s Home in Maai Mahiu, Kenya. The two K-Staters spent the summer working with the non-governmental organization (NGO) called Comfort the Children: Stull, graduate student in public health nutrition, for thesis research; Held, senior in dietetics and public health nutrition, for an Honors Project in which she is helping develop flip charts for nutrition education. In addition to volunteer work with the children’s home, they provided nutrition education to women in the community and spent time at the public primary school in Ngeya. Stull’s thesis work evaluates a community garden project. Both received College of Human Ecology scholarships to help fund their trips, the first to Africa for Held and third to Africa for Stull.

Junior studies Aboriginal families (and Aussie animals) first hand

Kelsey Flickner spent seven weeks in Perth, Western Australia, in the Aboriginal Studies program at Murdock University. Her class, called “Wanju Boodjah,” focused on Aboriginal culture and way of life. “I got first hand accounts of spiritual ceremonies, visited places of significance, and interacted with Aboriginal elders. Also, I learned how gender played an important part in the Aboriginal society,” she said. A junior in family studies and human services, with a minor in leadership studies, Flicker recalled the significance of a half-day hike up Bluff Knoll in the Stirling Ranges: “Bluff Knoll was called Bular Mial (many eyes) or Bala Mial (his eyes) by Nyoongar people, depending on the intent of the speaker. This was because the rocks on the bluff were shaped like the eyes of the ancestral master spirit that are visible on the mountain today. The peak is often covered with mists that curl around the mountain tops and float into the gullies. These constantly changing mists were believed to be the only visible form of the Noyt (meaning spirit).”

Senior, New Zealand “challenge” each other

For Kelcii Peck, senior in nutrition, exercise science and dietetics, New Zealand was an obstacle course this summer. With 17 other North American college students, Peck participated in a 2-week Challenge New Zealand leadership program of GlobaLinks Learning Abroad. The students were challenged physically (climb Mt. Ruapehu on your own); emotionally (keep cool even when you are lost and run out of water); and culturally (learn about the indigenous Maori). “It felt almost as if we’d become a family in that short two weeks,” Peck told program leaders after the trek. “Everybody was on each other’s team and wanted each other to be successful.”

Prepared by Human Ecology communications

The institute opens on Oct. 2. Briana Nelson Goff, professor and associate dean of the College of Human Ecology, serves as director.

How to cope with aftermath of wartime service

“This is a critical time to support military families and to further understand the unique impact these deployments have, particularly when experiencing multiple deployments, extensive exposure to trauma and new issues like traumatic brain injury,” Goff said.

“The institute will structure and organize the various programs already in place that are committed to furthering our knowledge of military families,” she added.

It continues the active partnership among Fort Riley, the Kansas National Guard and K-State to meet the needs of America’s soldiers.

The health and security of military families is among the top priorities and an area of expertise for the School of Family Studies and Human Services. The school was awarded more than $13 million in extramural funding in 2008 for research and programs related to military families. The school and new institute also will connect with the K-State Research and Extension office at Fort Riley, which opened in spring 2009.

Will coordinate researchers, educators, professionals

“This institute represents a culmination of years of research, education and outreach work — and the beginning of new era of discovery and service to the less than 1 percent of our national population that ensures the security of America and our way of life,” said Art DeGroat, K-State’s director of military affairs. “The creation of this institute is profound and will help the nation understand the challenges, demands and support required for our military families.”

The development of the institute began with discussions among several faculty and administrators. It will work to coordinate a multidisciplinary group of researchers, educators and professionals tackling issues including the effects of trauma on deployed personnel and family, and the impact of deployment on marriage, children, employment and family income.

Deployment affects soldiers, families, communities

“Increasingly, for today’s professional military, the aftermath of wartime service has consequences not only for soldiers’ and veterans’ well-being, but for their families and communities,” Goff said.

Besides coordinating efforts in this arena, the institute also will provide K-State students with specialized training on working with military families, conduct comprehensive research on military family issues and provide services to the state of Kansas and the nation that address the current and future needs of military families.

“The Institute for the Health and Security of Military Families will provide an avenue for K-State to become a national leader on the military family and capitalize on the current programs,” Goff said. “It is our plan to develop additional military family research and programs to meet the current and future demands faced by these families.”

The official opening of the Institute for the Health and Security of Military Families will coincide with the College of Human Ecology’s Legacy of Excellence celebration. At the celebration, several military personnel, the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley will be honored with college awards.

Prepared by K-State media relations and Human Ecology communications

The program is also the only one to offer a doctorate to distance students. It is  conducted almost exclusively online, said John Grable, professor of personal financial in the College of Human Ecology. Each summer, students will come to campus for an intensive 10-day course.

“I have never seen a class of students bond so quickly,” said Grable after the summer gathering. “These are all individuals who have the potential to change the way financial planning is taught and studied.”

The fourth summer, students will travel abroad to see firsthand how global markets work and how they affect financial planning in the United States and worldwide.

“Most will teach and conduct research at the university level; others will do consulting, particularly in helping third world nations improve the financial wellness of their populations,” Grable explained.

Among the students is Kurt Schindler, a  resident of Puerto Rico who was one of the first to enroll. “This program structure allows me to do something I have long desired but did not have the flexibility to pursue,” he said. “It fit into my goals, lifestyle and responsibilities.”

Schindler, who has worked in the financial sector for 22 years, said he was ready to take on the academic side of finance. But with deep roots in Puerto Rico, his options were limited.

“I saw the K-State program profiled in a trade magazine and began the application process almost immediately,” he said. “I wanted to be able to understand and participate in the academic perspective of this important profession. I am grateful to have this opportunity.”

Julie Cumbie, Edmond, Okla., is a full-time instructor of finance at the University of Central Oklahoma. She said earning her doctorate would mean real opportunities for promotion.

“I wanted to take my profession to the next level,” she said. “Completion of this program will allow me to be promoted and provide me with the skills to engage in research.”

In the program students learn to solve real-world problems and integrate knowledge about personal finance and relationships. They also will have the opportunity to participate in professional groups, assume professional leadership positions and become involved in teaching, researching and publication, Grable said.

Students can earn their doctorate in as few as five years.

This program also is registered with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc., which will allow graduates to sit for the certified financial planner exam.

Only one other university offers a doctorate in personal financial planning. More information on the K-State program is available at http://www.ipfp.k-state.edu/programs/doctoral/

Prepared by K-State media relations and Human Ecology communications

The video, written and produced by the college, is available on YouTube and Facebook. Check out other videos on the College of Human Ecology YouTube channel.

They are among the handful of McNair Scholars. The McNair program prepares undergraduates for graduate study.

• Brittany Delaney, senior in communication sciences and disorders and pre-nursing, studied the clinical measurement of voice and speech. Her project adviser is Linda Hoag, professor of family studies and human services.
• Jesus Garcia, senior in premedicine and public health nutrition,  studied the body composition of military combatives participants to learn what nutrition would help their performance. His project adviser is Mark Haub, assistant professor of human nutrition.
• Mary Ohmes, senior in communication sciences and disorders, studied interventions for impaired swallowing in infants. Her project adviser is Jane Garcia, associate professor of family studies and human services.

The honor means that K-State is in the top 15 percent of all colleges, universities and trade schools nationwide, and that the university actively recruits military students and offers programs to meet their needs. G.I. Jobs magazine is a publication aimed at helping those affiliated with the military to continue their education and transition into the civilian work force.

K-State has provided educational opportunities to military personnel and their families for more than 100 years through programs and services for Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth, on campus and through distance education. In spring 2009, nearly 1,000 members of the military or their dependents were enrolled at K-State, with more than 300 of those students pursuing graduate-level degrees.

Human Ecology offers programs, research

K-State has numerous programs, several of them in the College of Human Ecology, aimed at understanding and supporting the needs of military personnel, including:

* The Institute for the Health and Security of Military Families was recently formed to address the health and well-being of military personnel, veterans and their families “after the battle.” The institute will coordinate a multidisciplinary group of researchers tackling issues such as the effects of trauma on deployed personnel and family, and the effects of deployment on marriage, children, employment and family income. The institute also will provide K-State students with specialized training on working with military families, conduct comprehensive research on military family issues and provide services to the state of Kansas and the nation that address the current and future needs of military families.

* K-State has long had an office at Fort Riley to provide initial information and enrollment advice for K-State classes. In addition, K-State Research and Extension recently opened an office at Fort Riley and is set to offer services and programs to military families later this year. A similar arrangement is being considered at Fort Leavenworth.

* The  School of Family Studies and Human Services and Department of Human Nutrition have worked on several military-related research projects, including one examining the factors families consider when deciding to relocate when their soldiers are transferred to Fort Riley. This project resulted in several substantive changes at the post to encourage relocation. Another project will study aspects of traumatic brain injuries. Several programs also have been developed for military youth and families.

Also on campus and off

* The Saunders Barracks at K-State’s Jardine Complex provides housing for ROTC and other military students.

* K-State has worked with Fort Leavenworth’s Command and General Staff College for nearly 20 years to administer master’s and doctoral degree programs in operations research, adult and continuing education, security studies and history. As of spring 2009, these partnership programs have resulted in nearly 600 master’s and doctoral degrees, with recently added graduate certificate programs reaching more than 130 additional students at Fort Leavenworth.

* K-State’s office of student financial assistance has a dedicated counselor who specializes in scholarship and financial aid opportunities for members of the military and their dependents. In addition, K-State has created a special merit-based scholarship program for college-bound children and spouses of Fort Riley soldiers, and assists with access to other military-specific financial aid opportunities.

* K-State offers a Military and Veterans Campus Visit Day for prospective students with military ties to learn firsthand about the resources available to military personnel and their families.

* K-State at Salina has partnered with the Kansas National Guard to establish the unmanned aerial vehicle program, which will develop training and operational procedures for using unmanned aerial systems when responding to emergencies.

In addition, K-State offers various educational opportunities at both Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth, such as a class in Arabic language, and through distance education.

This is the second publication that has recognized K-State for being military-friendly. For the last two years, Military Advanced Education magazine has recognized K-State for its commitment to serving military students, ranking it among the top 60 institutions in the nation in 2009.