2024 NEAFCS Regional and National Award Winners

Shannon Cromwell

Continued Excellence Award

This award recognizes NEAFCS members who have previously recieved the Distinguished Service Award and continue to be actively involved in professional improvement programs, the promotion of professional development of others, and leadership. Must have been a member for at least 12 years and attended three or more annual sessions.

Shannon is an associate professor with USU Extension. She has obtained $3.7 million in funding to support her efforts focusing on empowering youth, strengthening interpersonal relationships, and reducing food insecurity.

NEAFCS Regional and National Award Winners

Financial Management Award in Memory of Dean Don Felker

This award is sponsored by the Indiana Affiliate and is given to FCS Educators who have developed an outstanding program on some aspect of family financial management which includes budgeting, credit management, savings, etc.

Amanda Christensen & Team

Utah State University Extension Empowering Financial Wellness Program
1st Place Western Region Winner
1st Place National Winner

Florence Hall Award

This award recognizes members who have been alert in recognizing emerging issues or new concerns and interests of families or individuals and have planned and implemented programs and involved people in planning and implementing programs that benefit families/individuals.

Ashley Yaugher & Team

Be Epic, Escape the Vape: A Multi-Component Approach to Rural Vape Prevention
1st Place Western Region Winner
1st Place National Winner

Innovation in Programming Award

This award recognizes innovation and accomplishments in the design and implementation of an FCS program.

Lisa Schainker & Team

Developing An Innovative Curriculum to Increase Confidence In Youth
1st Place Western Region Winner
1st Place National Winner

Mary W. Wells Memorial Diversity Award

This award recognizes outstanding efforts and accomplishments of individual and/or teams in diversity and pluralism for any Extension FCS program or activity, including staff development, advisory councils, programs, etc.

Lea Palmer & Team

Create Better Health Refugee Adaptations
1st Place Western Region Winner
3rd Place National Winner

SNAP-ED/EFNEP Education Award

This award recognizes outstanding evidence-based nutrition education and obesity prevention interventions and projects for persons eligible for SNAP or low-income families, particularly those with young children.

Lea Palmer & Team

Captain Create Better Health- SNAP-Ed Youth Programming
1st Place Western Region Winner
2nd Place National Winner

Educational Curriculum Package Award

This award recognizes excellence in curriculum development. Application includes teaching curriculum and supporting documents.

April Litchford & Team

Utah State University Diabetes Cook-Along
1st Place Western Region Winner

Human Development/Family Relationships Award

This award recognizes innovative human development/family relationships educational efforts including child care, parenting, relationships through the lifespan, marriage enrichment, communications (parent/child), retirement, aging, stress management, and related issues.

Naomi Brower & Team

Utah Marriage Celebration
1st Place Western Region Winner

Family Health and Wellness Award

Recognize innovative programs that promote and improve the health and wellness of families including but not limited to nutrition, fitness, family meals, meal planning, time or stress management, and healthy lifestyle.

Andrea Schmutz & Team

Becoming an Outdoors Woman Program
2nd Place Western Region Winner