Graduate Fellowships

The American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) awards graduate fellowships to individuals who have exhibited the potential to make contributions to the family and consumer sciences profession. Individuals who receive a graduate fellowship will receive financial support for the study of family and consumer sciences and a commemorative certificate. The name of the recipient(s) will be reported in the AAFCS Annual Conference Program Book. Also, recipients of some fellowships will receive support toward one year of AAFCS membership and participation in the AAFCS Annual Conference, where the fellowship award will be presented. 

Jewell L. Taylor National Graduate Fellowship

The Taylor Fellowship was established through a generous bequest from Jewell L. Taylor, a dedicated family and consumer sciences professional for more than 50 years.  She held positions as a county home demonstration agent and utility home economist, continuing her interest in AAFCS until her death.  A $5,000 fellowship and up to $1,000 of support for one year of AAFCS membership and participation in the AAFCS Annual Conference will be awarded to a qualified graduate students pursuing a degree in family and consumer sciences.

Raitt National Graduate Fellowship

The Raitt Fellowship was established through funds from Elsie M. Raitt who wanted to honor her sister, Effie I. Raitt. Effie was the Director of Home Economics at the University of Washington from 1912 to 1945. A $5,000 fellowship will be awarded to a qualified graduate student specializing in the field of Family and Consumer Sciences at a fully accredited college or university. 

Myrna Crabtree National Graduate Fellowship

The Myrna Crabtree Fellowship was established through a generous bequest from Dr. Myrna P. Crabtree who taught classes in human development and held workshops to help teachers meet the needs of the local population. This fellowship is awarded to a graduate student for up to $1,500 of support for one year of AAFCS membership and participation in the AAFCS Annual Conference and for $350 toward an AAFCS Certification. 

2026 Recipient - Raitt Graduate Fellowship

Katie Newcomb, Ohio

Katie Newcomb, OH, is a married mother of two from Conneaut, Ohio. Originally, she grew up in Fairview Park, Ohio. After high school, she attended Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio, where she majored in Family and Consumer Sciences Education. She received her Bachelor of Science in Education degree in 2006. After graduation, she was hired as the Family and Consumer Sciences teacher and department chair at Conneaut High School in Conneaut, Ohio. After completing her resident educator requirements, she began her Master of Education degree through Ashland University. She graduated with her master's degree in 2008. She continued teaching at Conneaut High School until 2022. She is the current Ohio Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (OAFCS) Secretary and employed at Youngstown State University as a university supervisor and part-time member. She chose to pursue her Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education because of her new role in post-secondary education. Her goal is to help YSU reinvigorate its Family and Consumer Sciences Education major.