College of Education and Human Services - Western Illinois University

Chairperson: Dr. Erskine Smith
Location: Knoblauch Hall - 140
Phone: (309) 298-1085
Fax: (309) 298-2688

From the Desk of the Chair

Thank you for your interest in the Dietetics, Fashion Merchandising and Hospitality Department at Western Illinois University. The department is part of the College of Education and Human Services. The Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) is offered in the department. Students pursuing the B.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences may select one of three options: Dietetics, Fashion Merchandising, or Hotel/Restaurant Management. DFMH prepares its graduates for a wide range of career settings including healthcare, retail, schools, corporations and both public and private agencies. Graduates are prepared to assume management positions in corporations, hospitals and government agencies. Graduates are also prepared for graduate school and advanced technical training.

The mission of Western Illinois University is to provide a community of individuals dedicated to learning that will have a profound and positive impact on our changing world through the unique interaction of instruction, research, and public service as we educate and prepare a diverse student population to thrive in and contribute to our global society. The College of Education and Human Services provides a challenging and supportive learning environment for individuals that are widely recognized as meeting the humanistic and technological demands of a global society.

Vision and Mission

The department's vision is that its graduates be innovative, competent and critical thinking professionals who provide leadership and service within the workplace and in a diverse ever-changing environment. The mission of the department is to prepare students with the technical, human and conceptual skills for careers in consumer services.

DFMH contributes to fulfilling many of the aspects of the University’s and COEH’s missions. Full-time and part-time faculty and staff members make significant contributions in maintaining quality programs of instruction, research and service in the areas of dietetics, fashion merchandising and hotel/restaurant management. Challenges to the industries represented in the department are presented in the context of global concerns and concerns of serving an ever-changing diverse population. Students and faculty examine these concerns via academic courses, research endeavors and by activities of student organizations.

Students in the various options have opportunities to attend state and national professional conferences and to participate in domestic and international study tours led by DFMH faculty. In recent years, students have attended the American Dietetic Association’s Food and Nutrition Conference and Exhibition and the National Restaurant Association Conference and Exhibition, as well as participating in fashion merchandising study tours to New York City. Also Fashion Merchandising and Hotel/Restaurant Management students have completed internships in Europe.

Students in each emphasis area have the opportunity to participate in a student organization associated with their professional fields; DFMH Student Ambassadors, Food and Culture Club, Hospitality Administration Association, Student Association for Nutrition Education, and Visual Apparel Merchandising Association. Student organizations provide numerous opportunities for you to develop leadership skills. DFMH sponsors a chapter of Kappa Omicron Nu, the national honor society for family and consumer sciences.

One of my goals as chair is for the department to prepare students to engage in professional and ethical endeavors such as the Bella Hearst Diabetes Institute that enhance the quality of life for individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. The Institute provides a pedagogically sound, innovative and stimulating, multidisciplinary approach to learning for students as they provide education, intervention and management for students enrolled at Western Illinois University with, or at risk, for diabetes.

Should you desire more information about the department or one of its three option areas; Dietetics, Fashion Merchandising or Hotel/Restaurant Management, please do not hesitate to contact me via telephone at 309-298-1085 or ER-Smith@wiu.edu. I will be glad to talk with you or to arrange a date and time for you to visit us in Knoblauch Hall on the beautiful campus of Western Illinois University in Macomb.

Erskine R. Smith, PhD, RD
Chair & Professor