Service, by definition, is “an act of helpful activity” and those who steward this mantle supplying aid or information for the benefit and advancement of others warrant distinction. Among our celebrated faculty at MSU, we are pleased to share that Morgan’s Jacqueline Holland, Ed.D., CFCS-HDFS, has been recognized by the nation’s leading organization for family and consumer sciences. At its recent annual conference, The American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) honored their 2020 Distinguished Service Award Honorees, among them awarding Dr. Jacqueline Holland its most prestigious award.
“The DSA [Distinguished Service Award] is the highest honor a member of the Association can receive, and I am truly flattered to be one of the 2020 award recipients,” said Dr. Holland. “Family and consumer sciences professionals work in diverse practice settings, including communities, education, business and industry, government, and health and human services and through my work with the AAFCS—and here at Morgan—I am passionate about mentoring pre-professionals, creating opportunities for exposure and preparing them for career opportunities and professional development.”
A tenured associate professor and interim department director of Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) in the School of Education and Urban Studies (SEUS), Dr. Holland is an active member of the AAFCS having served in a leadership capacity in numerous roles including AAFCS president (2017-2018), Diversity and Inclusion Chair, Nominating Committee Chair, Annual Conference Planning Committee, and the Membership Committee. Morgan’s leading voice in FCS practice is also noted for her involvement nationally and internationally in the International Federation of Home Economics.
“Dr. Holland’s career in the Family and Consumer Sciences profession has shown that she is a creative, conscientious, motivating and adventurous leader,” commented Julia R. Miller, Ph.D., Professor and Dean Emeritus at Michigan State University and AAFCS distinguished member.
The Distinguished Service Award honor is in recognition of Dr. Holland’s significant contributions to, and her longstanding advocacy of, the FCS profession. Dr. Holland has been at the forefront in aiding the progression and sustainment of the field of family and consumer sciences through her work and her stewardship of aspiring young professionals in the field.
As Morgan’s foremost FCS authority, Dr. Holland led the revision of Morgan’s curriculum for FACS courses which was designed to underscore career preparation in the profession—particularly as the FCS industry aims to keep pace in an ever changing digital world. Outside the classroom, Dr. Hollands has been instrumental in positioning career-minded MSU students for success. From internship placement at AAFCS headquarters and student-representative roles on the board of the National Coalition for Black Development in Family and Consumer Sciences (NBDFCS) to the first-ever HBCU student leader to serve on the national Student Unit for AAFCS, MSU students have reaped the invaluable benefit of practical experience applying knowledge gain through academic instruction.
Dr. Holland has exemplified throughout her FCS career noteworthy contributions and achievements to build social, economic and human capital for individuals, families, and communities. With more than 35 years in the profession, she has provided leadership in the development of a mentoring program for new teachers, created opportunities to market FCS programs and the accomplishments of teachers, and facilitated the professional development of students and teachers. As an educator, research and service/outreach scholar, her leadership, followership and mentorship skills form the foundation for a pathway that our next generation of professionals can follow, to make a difference in the profession and societies globally.
Congratulations Dr. Jacqueline Holland on receiving the AAFC Distinguished Service Award, your service to the FCS profession and your leadership of Morgan’s FACS Department!
