Board of Directors

Cara Simmons, CFCS 

Board President,
2025-2026

Dr. Cara Winston Simmons began working in the field of family and consumer sciences in 2014 when she became director of the Student Success and Advising Center (SSAC) at the University of Georgia (UGA) in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) until her recent appointment to director of the UGA Office for Student Success and Achievement in March 2023.

In the SSAC, Dr. Simmons provided leadership to prospective student recruitment, new student orientation, academic advising, internships, retention, career development, instruction, student involvement and leadership, experiential learning, and support services initiatives such as Bulldog Basics. In her current role, she leads various student success focused initiatives.

In FACS, she served as an adjunct faculty member, assistant to the dean for leadership development and diversity, and is a graduate faculty member in the UGA Mary Frances Early College of Education. She remains as courtesy faculty in UGA FACS. 

She transformed the teaching and instruction of FACS 2000, Introduction to Family and Consumer Sciences, that introduces the discipline and Body of Knowledge to undergraduate students. The course transformation is featured in the 2022-2023 AAFCS webinar series.

An active member of the Georgia affiliate, Dr. Simmons has served as President, President-Elect, Student Unit Advisor, Counselor, a Nominating Committee, and Chair of the inaugural Committee on Diversity and Inclusion. In 2023, she received the Georgia affiliate Leader Award which recognizes Family and Consumer Sciences professionals who have made significant contributions to the field through their involvement in AAFCS.

Joined AAFCS: 2014

Favorite AAFCS Moment: The 2024 conference was a whirlwind of learning, laughter, and connection, but one moment stands out as a true favorite: serving on the Bridging the Gap panel. It wasn't just about sharing my own experience, but the opportunity to learn from my fellow panelists, especially those newer to the profession. Their fresh perspectives and enthusiasm were inspiring, and it solidified my belief in the bright future of our field. 

Gayla Randel, CFCS

Board President Elect,
2025-2026

Gayla has 20 years as a classroom Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at the middle and secondary levels, as well as 8 years as an adjunct instructor at the 2- and 4-year institutions in various content areas of the discipline.  

 

She holds two degrees from Kansas State University—Vocational Home Economics Education and Adult, Continuing and Occupational Education and is certified by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.  She is presently the FCS Specialist for the Montana Office of Public Instruction.

 

“Learning I’ve been selected as the AAFCS president-elect is both humbling and exciting. I pledge to provide the leadership needed of AAFCS and our members to continue the FCS legacy through empowerment, enhancement, and advancement.  Thank you so very much for this opportunity.” - Gayla Randel, CFCS 

Landon Calderwood, CFCS-HDFS

Director-at-Large,
2024-2026

Born and raised on the family heritage corn and pig farm in rural Iowa, Landon grew up with the understanding of the importance of a hard work ethic, family connection, and developing essential life skills.

As a student member of AAFCS, Landon served three terms on the National Student Unit Leadership Team as Chair Elect, Chair, and Immediate Past Chair and Counselor to the Student Unit.

Landon earned a B.S. degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education and Studies (FCEDS) with a concentration in Professional Studies from Iowa State University. He intends to further his education to focus on community and program development in the human services and non-profit industries.

As a professional member, Landon served as the AAFCS Awards Committee Chair, and currently serves on the AAFCS Board of Directors as a Director-at-Large.

Landon currently serves as the Campus Visits Coordinator with the Iowa State University College of Human Sciences Undergraduate Recruitment office in Ames, Iowa where he meets with prospective students and shares more about the many programs offered in the college, and advises the college student ambassador program. Previously, Landon worked with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach as the County Youth Coordinator in Marshall County, and as the Youth Outreach Coordinator in West Pottawattamie County.

In his free time, Landon enjoys helping out on the family farm, volunteering wherever he can, baking (all of the best baking happens after 10 pm), playing the pipe organ, and playing with his dog, Tarlo.

Joined AAFCS: 2017

Favorite AAFCS Moment: Traveling to my first AAFCS National Conference in Atlanta, GA. This was my first time traveling out of state alone, which was a bit daunting, but I made so many great connections at that conference that have helped me get to where I am today as a professional and as a member of AAFCS. 

Carol Erwin, CFCS

Director-at-Large,
2025-2028

Carol Erwin, CFCS is currently a Professor at Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska, teaching Foods and Nutrition and Family and Consumer Sciences classes. She has been in this position working with future Family and Consumer Sciences teachers for the past 13 years after teaching in the 7-12 FCS classroom and advising FCCLA for 12 years. Carol has worked extensively in expanding opportunities for Family and Consumer Sciences students at her college and across Nebraska.

Carol is deeply committed to the FCS profession and wants to share the message that FCS is critically important in helping individuals, families, and communities make effective and efficient decisions for the future. As a member of the AAFCS Board of Directors, she hopes to balance tradition with innovation and support our members in their own quest for “better.”  

Angela Gott

Director-at-Large,
2025-2028

Angela Gott brings 32 years of dedication to the Family and Consumer Sciences profession, starting her career in middle and high school classrooms and now serving as the FCS Teacher Educator at Western Kentucky University. A passionate advocate for leadership development and member support, Angela is deeply committed to advancing the FCS profession and mentoring our next generation.  

Angela is committed to advancing the AAFCS strategic action plan and is dedicated to serving AAFCS members, promoting excellence, and elevating the Family and Consumer Sciences profession. 

Margaret Jenkins, CPFFE

Director-at-Large,
2023-2026

Margaret Jenkins is an Associate Professor, Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS), at The Ohio State University Extension based in Clermont County. Her work includes topics such as leadership development, health and wellness, food insecurity and family financial wellness. Jenkins serves as Leader for LOOK to Ohio Youth Leadership Signature Program; developed Accounting for Your Money Hope Chest, a money management tool for individuals to use when economic challenges occur; performed as Principal Investigator for positive youth development Health Rocks Program; and teaches diabetes self-management strategies using the National Dining With Diabetes Program (NDWD).


Jenkins believes societal change is a constant and service to our professional organizations provides the pathway for informing organizational policy to address emergent personal and family needs and issues. She has served on the Board of the Ohio Association of Family and Consumer Sciences for six years in various positions; and currently, serves as the 2020-2023 affiliate Past President. The highlight of her service is the development of the Ohio Alliance for People-Centered Sciences. Three Ohio affiliates of national FCS professional organizations have unified to offer professional development and advocacy opportunities for their members. The Ohio Alliance for FCS provided testimony that guided the successful addition of ½ financial literacy credit requirement for Ohio’s high school graduates. Jenkins is now working to add the “work of family” as a career cluster. Jenkins was installed Director at Large at the American Association for Family add Consumer Sciences Annual conference in June 2023. In addition, she serves on the leadership team as resource acquisition officer for the Dining with Diabetes National Working Group.

Joined AHEA: 1972-1990

Joined AAFCS: 2018

Favorite AAFCS Moment: Socializing with other Family and Consumer Sciences professionals at annual meeting.

Barbara Stewart, CFCS 

Counselor, Immediate Past President, Ex-Officio, 2025-2026

Dr. Barbara Stewart is Professor and Chair of the Department of Human Development and Consumer Sciences at the University of Houston. Her earned degrees include Ed.D, Curriculum and Foundations, Brigham Young University; M.S. Home Economics and Consumer Education, Utah State University; and B.A Clothing and Textiles, Brigham Young University. Dr. Stewart has published and presented more than 360 scholarly works with 131 of those in the Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences and at AAFCS annual meetings. She has received $32+ million in grants and funding to support FCS research and projects. Barbara is mother of five and grandmother of eleven. Representative service to AAFCS includes:

  • President, Board of Directors, 2024-2025.
  • Chair, Council for Accreditation 2023-2024.
  • Board, Assembly of Higher Education 2023-2024.
  • Board, Collegiate Assembly 2023-2024.
  • Chair-Elect, Council for Accreditation 2022-2023.
  • Council for Accreditation, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, 2021-2024.
  • Chair, Assembly of Higher Education, 2019-2021.
  • Co-Chair, AAFCS Leadership Academy Planning Committee 2013-2024
  • Member, National Taskforce for Program Advancement in Family and Consumer Sciences, 2002-2009; 2021-2023.
  • Secretary 2006-2009.
  • Mentor Leadership Academy 2012-2021.
  • Chair-Elect, Assembly of Higher Education 2017-2019.
  • Chair, Colleges and Universities Section 2002-2004.
  • Editor, Research Applications in Family and Consumer Sciences, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences 2001-2003.
  • Chair-Elect, Colleges and Universities Section 2001-2002.
  • Vice-Chair, Colleges and Universities Section 1999-2001.
  • Chair, Public Affairs Committee 1996-1997.
  • Planning Committee, Washington Weekend, Public Policy Seminar, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences 1996-1997.
  • Chair, Public Affairs Pre-Annual Meeting Workshop 1996.

Joined AAFCS: 1980 

Favorite AAFCS Moment: Serving as a founding member (2013-2024) of the AAFCS Leadership Academy is most satisfying because it encourages leadership in FCS professionals for the future of AAFCS. 

Karin Athanas

Executive Director 

Karin Athanas is the Executive Director of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) where she leads the strategic development and day-to-day operations. She also serves as Board member to the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization (ICPHSO) and the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA).

Joined AAFCS: 2023

Favorite AAFCS Moment: Working with members at the leadership summit to identify ways to promote FCS.

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2025-2026

AAFCS Board of Directors Inducted at the 2025 AAFCS Annual Conference in Kansas City, Missouri.