Academic Plan

Department of Family & Consumer Sciences


2018-2022

  

Mission:

To enhance the physical, social, and economic well-being of individuals, families, and communities, emphasizing healthy and sustainable living across the lifespan. We fulfill our mission through instructional, research, and outreach/extension efforts that challenge, motivate, and inspire.

  

Vision:

To integrate the fundamental components of human life—food, shelter, clothing, human relationships, and family—with larger societal systems. Through programs in textiles, apparel and design; food and nutrition; and human development and family sciences, our department prepares learners to meet the opportunities and challenges of today’s complex world.  

 

Goals:

1. Effective Preparation of Students

Background: The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences endeavors to enhance physical, social, and economic well-being. Each of these aspects relates to degree options and course offerings delivered through the department. Focusing on student success and future contribution to physical, social, and economic well-being is enhanced by aligning degree options with accreditation requirements, the University strategic plan, and local/state/national workforce demands. Achieving/maintaining accreditation, strategic planning consistent with UW goals/objectives, and striving to meet current workforce demands enhances student learning, job opportunities, and visibility. The strength of our department assessment process has always been in our faculty's desire to have a meaningful, authentic assessment of student learning and the value we place on providing our students with opportunities for authentic learning.

Goal: Align Family and Consumer Sciences degree options with accreditation requirements, University strategic plan, and local/state/national workforce demands and continue to strive for excellence in assessing student learning.

2. Sustainability & Wellbeing

Background: Family and Consumer Sciences is an interdisciplinary field focused on enhancing the wellbeing of individuals, families, communities and society, either directly or indirectly, within the framework of a sustainable system. Wellbeing is a holistic concept which recognizes the interdependence of emotional, financial, intellectual, occupational, biological, physical, social, spiritual, and environmental dimensions that impact quality of life. Sustainability aims for solutions that equally embody environmental, economic, and social considerations. Because FCS focuses on building the family as a healthy system in society, each of our units can uniquely contribute to this important concept.

Goal: Integrate sustainability and wellbeing into Family and Consumer Sciences degree curriculum and service learning student projects, focusing on local, statewide and global impacts.

3. Visibility & Recruitment

Background: Maintaining a visible presence for the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences and each of our unique areas is critical to honor our heritage, highlight our current accomplishments, and advance the University of Wyoming’s goals as part of a land-grant institution. Thus, our marketing and promotion efforts must include internal and external audiences – within the university, the State, as well as, nationally and internationally. In our age of technology and information at peoples’ fingertips, visibility efforts must adapt quickly and be present in varying mediums. Increasing the visibility of the department will also aid in the recruitment of new students by making internal and external audiences more aware and informed about our programs.

Goal: The department will improve its visibility through marketing and collaboration, in turn increasing student enrollment.

4. Retention & Persistence

Background: The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences also realizes that it is not enough to simply attract more students into our programs. In addition, we must work to ensure that students continue with and graduate from Family and Consumer Sciences.

Goal: In order to ensure high retention and persistence rates, we must support student learning and skills, ensure excellence in advising and teaching, and provide opportunities for student collaboration and growth.

5. Efficient Use of Resources

Background: Due to the current budgetary concerns and constraints within the State of Wyoming, it is essential to efficiently utilize the University’s limited resources. Additionally, our department must investigate alternative methods to raise needed revenue and reduce dependency on State funding. Last, we must thoroughly consider and minimize the financial effects of proposed options on our students.

Goal: The department of Family and Consumer Sciences will utilize resources (financial, personnel, classroom/lab space) efficiently.

 

Contact Us

Family and Consumer Sciences

University of Wyoming

Department #3354

1000 E. University Ave.

Laramie, WY 82071

Phone: (307) 766-4145

Email: fam-consci@uwyo.edu

Find us on Instagram (Link opens a new window)Find us on Facebook (Link opens a new window)Find us on Twitter (Link opens a new window)Find us on LinkedIn (Link opens a new window)Find us on YouTube (Link opens a new window)