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Unit 1 Foundations and Trends in Family and Consumer Sciences
Kappa Omicron Nu
Kappa Omicron Nu is an honor society for
undergraduates, graduate students, and pro-
fessionals in family and consumer sciences. Its
mission is to empower family and consumer
sciences leaders through scholarship, research,
and leadership development. Many opportu-
nities for training, showcasing work through
publication and presentations, and funding are
offered through Kappa Omicron Nu. Members
are nominated on the basis of their scholarship
and character by current members. They are ini-
tiated into the organization through a ceremony
and participate in local affiliates of the orga-
nization. Many universities and colleges that
have family and consumer sciences programs
(or human sciences programs, sometimes called
human ecology) sponsor local Kappa Omicron
Nu chapters. An undergraduate research initia-
tive by the organization provides opportunity
for students to publish and present research
(Kappa Omicron Nu, n.d.).
Phi Upsilon Omicron
Phi Upsilon Omicron is a national honor
society in family and consumer sciences that was
founded in 1910 at the University of Minnesota.
In fact, it was the first student organization
formed in family and consumer sciences (Phi
Upsilon Omicron, 2006). The purpose of the
honor society is to recognize and encourage
academic excellence, to promote professional
and leadership opportunities and resources for
development, and to provide service to the pro-
fession. Chapters include both alumni and col-
legiate groups.
National Coalition for Black Development
in Family and Consumer Sciences
The National Coalition for Black Development
in Family and Consumer Sciences (NCBDFCS)
was formed in 1980 as the Coalition for Black
Development in Home Economics. The Coalition
works with the American Association of Family
and Consumer Sciences to promote the profession.
It provides networking and professional devel-
opment opportunities. The organization’s goals
include strengthening family and consumer sci-
ences programs at historically black colleges and
universities (HBCUs) and promoting black par-
ticipation in all aspects of family and consumer
sciences. Membership is open to individuals
with degrees from any of the specialized areas of
the field and to students pursuing degrees. The
NCBDFCS awards student scholarships and sup-
port for students to attend professional meetings
(National Coalition for Black Development in
Family and Consumer Sciences, n.d.).
Specialized Organizations
Many other associations exist that support
the mission of family and consumer sciences.
Professional associations that focus on specific
specializations within family and consumer sci-
ences include the American Society of Interior
Designers, the International Textiles and
Apparel Association, the Academy of Nutrition
and Dietetics, and the National Council on
Family Relations. These associations will be
explored further in later chapters. Many of these
organizations offer discounted student mem-
bership rates.
The Value of Joining Professional
Organizations
There are many advantages to joining a pro-
fessional organization, especially while you are
still a student. First, professional organizations
link you to the most current trends in the pro-
fession. Through newsletters, journals, online
postings, and conferences, both students and
professionals are able to keep up with current
events and new trends. Second, professional
organizations offer opportunities for students
and professionals to interact in a business set-
ting as well as in informal settings at confer-
ences and meetings. Leadership positions are
often available for both students and profession-
als, and serving in these positions reflects ini-
tiative, responsibility, and commitment on your
résumé. As noted earlier, the AAFCS has a stu-
dent member section that provides leadership
training in officer positions. These positions