Texas Tech University

Family and Consumer Sciences Education Alumnus Uses Doctoral Degree to Lead the Future of Sustainable Food Systems Teaching

Ashley Brister

April 27, 2021

Robert Williams Texas Tech Alumni FCSE

Bob Williams is passionate about recruiting students to the field of family and consumer sciences—a family-first career path

With a background in agricultural education and agriculture, Robert "Bob" Williams wanted to enter a career in higher education so that he could teach. After falling in love with the family and consumer sciences field, he pursued Texas Tech's Family and Consumer Sciences Education (FCSE) doctoral degree in 2000.

“I learned a great deal about program planning, program evaluation, and research through my doctoral studies,” Williams said. “The degree provided a strong foundation to complement my experience as a teacher and principal. I also believe it helped me to understand family and consumer sciences better, from a career perspective.”

Fast forward to today, Williams says he uses his graduate coursework and training to develop courses in Sustainable Food Systems at Texas A&M University-Commerce.

“My success in developing and implementing new programs at A&M-Commerce can be attributed to the knowledge, skill, and confidence I attained through the Ph.D. program in Family and Consumer Sciences Education at Texas Tech,” Williams said.

Known as an active recruiter for students in higher education, Williams often refers former students to the FCSE Ph.D. degree program at Texas Tech.

“One former student recently completed the degree, and another just started this year,” Williams said. “The field is broad enough to encompass several different career paths to attract students from a variety of interests and backgrounds. However, the most important aspect of the field, at least for me, is that it centers around family as the foundation for our society. That makes family and consumer sciences a family-first career field.”

For Williams, the best part of teaching is getting to know students and reconnect with graduates of the program.

“I love working with students, whether teaching, advising, or working with them through our university-owned, student-operated farm,” Williams said. “It is great to see former students, with their students at FCCLA and FFA events.”

Outside of the classroom, Williams enjoys spending time with family and traveling when he can.

“I once had a professor who said being a college professor was the greatest job in the world.  I would say that—with the exception of being a parent and grandparent— is very true, at least for me.”