Deborah J. Handy, a professor of human development at Washington State University, has received the 2026 American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) Distinguished Service Award. The honor recognizes Dr. Handy’s superior achievements in family and consumer sciences, outstanding contributions to the profession, and sustained leadership to the association.
Dr. Handy has been teaching at Washington State for more than three decades. Her scholarly interest include school violence, family and consumer sciences teacher recruitment processes, and student success in distance education. Throughout her career, Dr. Handy has been an active leader with AAFCS, including 18 years of service as executive director of the association’s Washington chapter. At the national level, she has served as an AAFCS board member, recorder, treasurer, and chair of the Council for Certification.
Dr. Handy is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stout, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in home economics education with a minor in speech education. She holds a master’s degree in apparel, merchandising, and interior design and a Ph.D. in educational leadership and counseling psychology from Washington State University. Before transitioning to higher education, Dr. Handy taught middle and high school home economics.