More than four decades ago, Cindy Schlenker-Davies began her career in home economics, and she spent 16 years as the Family and Consumer Sciences agent and program director for the New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service Bernalillo County office in Albuquerque.
Schlenker-Davies was honored for her dedication to the profession when she was inducted into the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Hall of Fame Sept. 14.
“I was really surprised and honored my NMSU FCS colleagues nominated me and more surprised to be one of two nationally to be inducted to the Hall of Fame for NEAFCS,” Schlenker-Davies said.
“I’m thrilled that Cindy was inducted into the NEAFCS Hall of Fame,” said Sonja Koukel, professor and Extension Health Specialist at NMSU. “During her Extension career, she was very active in leadership roles at the local, state and national levels. She developed a wealth of knowledge in Family and Consumer Sciences programs and readily shared her expertise with county agents and clientele. Her love for and devotion to FCS was evident in everything she did. New Mexico has benefited greatly from her engagement.”
Schlenker-Davies is known in the state for her expertise in food preservation.
“I have so enjoyed my career where I really could help families,” Schlenker-Davies said. “Teaching cooking skills, nutrition, parenting, family finance to young moms and others who need these skills has been very rewarding.”
Even though Schlenker-Davies retired from NMSU in 2021, she continues to do grant and contract work, an aspect of her former position that she enjoys.
Schlenker-Davies joined NEAFCS in 2007, and she served in various state leadership roles, including two terms as the state organization’s president, president-elect and past president as well as vice president of member resources and professional development. She also served on the National NEAFCS board as the western region director and vice president of member resources.
“Throughout Cindy’s career, she has been an advocate and cheerleader for NEAFCS in New Mexico,” wrote Suzanne DeVos-Cole, Mora County program director/Extension ag agent; Dianne Christensen, Bernalillo County Family and Consumer Sciences agent; and Rick Griffiths, San Juan County Extension Family and Consumer Sciences agent, in the hall of fame nomination. “She would encourage new agents to join national committees for the leadership opportunities they provide and attend annual session for the professional development.”