Dr. Nicole A. Graves has been a South Dakota State University faculty member since 2002. She is currently the Assistant Professor of Family & Consumer Sciences Education in the College of Education and Human Sciences. She teaches a variety of undergraduate courses for Family & Consumer Sciences Education and Agricultural Education students. She also teaches online FCSE graduate courses for the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA). Her research includes examination of teaching strategies via Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), and investigation of teacher preparation, retention, and well-being. In addition to her teaching and research responsibilities, she also serves as the on-campus advisor for the AAFCS/FCCLA Alumni student organization, Program Committee Chair for the South Dakota FCCLA Board and Directors, Professional Chair for the South Dakota Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (SDAFCS), and President for the National Association of Teacher Educators for Family & Consumer Sciences (NATEFACS).
Susan Turgeson has been a member of the faculty at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point since 2012. She completed a doctoral program in Educational Leadership in 2015 and is currently an associate professor in the School of Health Sciences and Wellness. She primarily works with pre-professional family and consumer sciences students and graduate level students. She was recognized as the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) National Teacher of the Year in 2009. She also received the AAFCS New Achiever Award in 2005 and the AAFCS Leader Award in 2017. Prior to working at UWSP, Susan taught for a year at the middle school level and twelve years at the high school level. She also worked in various FCS-related positions including children's section librarian, small business and farm accountant, rental property manager, grocery store customer service, vehicle sales, and home visitor supervisor. All of these experiences provided opportunities to work with diverse individuals throughout the lifespan. Susan is actively involved in her professional organizations and serves in various leadership roles at the state and national level. Throughout the year, she conducts keynote addresses, breakout sessions, and trainings at conferences throughout the United States. She is currently engaged in a collaborative project related to teacher education standards.