Bahamian students visit UA School of Family and Consumer Sciences

While in Northeast Ohio for the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences conference in Cleveland June 24-26, students from the College of the Bahamas visited The University of Akron’s School of Family and Consumer Sciences for a facility tour and idea exchange luncheon.

Anne Weiner, assistant professor of family and consumer sciences, welcomed the group of 14 students and their adviser, Raquel Edgecombe. During their tour, the students admired UA’s labs for textiles, clothing, lighting, food service and nutrition assessment, and learned about the programs in:

• Child and Family Development;
• Child Life;
• Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Education;
• Fashion Merchandising;
• Interior Design; and
• Nutrition/Dietetics.

“We do not have labs similar to this at our college, and travel off-site to conduct experiments,” said Edgecombe. “Our bachelor’s degree program is relatively new – three years old – and we have 40 students. Visiting Akron has given us many wonderful ideas for our program.”

Weiner spoke about the community experiences that UA students receive through service learning, student teaching, field experiences and clinicals. She also noted current trends taught at UA, such as green concepts in interior design.

“We were pleased to welcome Mrs. Edgecombe and her students to campus and a tour of the FCS facilities,” said Weiner. “Their enthusiasm for the profession was contagious and we were invigorated by their visit. I hope that the relationship continues and that we can foster further exchange between the two programs.”

The Bahamian students enjoyed their tour and showed particular interest in exchange programs with UA.

Media contact: Sarah Lane, 330-972-7429 or slane@uakron.edu.