COLLEGE STATION Kathleen Volanty, associate director for human sciences with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, received double honors recently by being named Professional of the Year by the Texas Association of Family and Consumer Sciences and Distinguished Alumnae from the College of Home Economics and Human Sciences at Texas Tech University.
The first award the highest given by the family and consumer science association is given to the professional who has made major contributions to the family and consumer sciences profession, displayed leadership abilities, been active in the association, and is highly respected by his or her peers.
The second award honors Volanty as an outstanding alumna of Texas Tech.
As associate director for human sciences, Volanty supervises two program units family development and resource management, and food and nutrition in 12 Extension districts across the state.
She serves as administrative advisor for the Better Living for Texans program, a food stamp education program in cooperation with the Texas Department of Human Services and the food and nutrition services of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
She also is the administrative advisor for the Expanded Nutrition Program, a federally funded nutrition program for limited resource families in Texas. Volanty is the administrative advisor for the Extension Service’s Military program, which provides educational programs for military families at Fort Hood and Fort Bliss.
Said Dr. Chester Fehlis, associate vice chancellor and deputy director of the Extension Service, “Dr. Volanty is a true professional and an outstanding Extension educator. She is well-respected among her peers in Texas and across the nation and is a leader in issues related to families and consumer education.”
Prior to her appointment at the state level, Volanty served as district Extension director in the South Plains district headquartered in Lubbock and the Coastal Bend district headquartered in Corpus Christi.
Asked what she appreciates most about her work as associate director for human sciences, Volanty says, “I like people.”
She added, “My job demands that I work with a diverse group of people every day. I especially enjoy the opportunities to work with other people who employ forward thinking and planning and who are devoted to human sciences as I am.”
Volanty holds a bachelor’s of home economics education and clothing and textiles, and a master’s of home economics education from Texas Tech University. She also holds a doctorate in administration/management from Texas A&M University.
In recent years, she also has been given the Woman of Excellence Award from the YWCA of Lubbock, the Diversity Award from the Texas Association of Extension Home Economists.
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