National Consultant Team

National Consultant Team Available for Training

Are you looking for skilled FCCLA Advisers to train your students and future FCS teachers? The National Consultant Team (NCT) is here to assist you! Their mission is to empower, support, and train FCCLA Advisers. For more information, contact advisers@fcclainc.org.

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2026-2027 National Consultant Team

Alaina Tharp - Team Lead

Ohio

Alaina Tharp, a dedicated Family and Consumer Sciences educator and FCCLA Adviser at Cambridge High School. With a background as both a student and adviser, she has engaged at regional, state, and national levels. Her four-year participation as a high school member inspired her to reintroduce an FCCLA Chapter at her school. Alaina's commitment extends beyond teaching – she's contributed to Ohio’s Career Development Events committee, offering professional development in FCS and FCCLA. Her passion for these subjects comes from recognizing their role in teaching real-world skills for independence, health, and future success. Through hands-on learning, Alaina strives to activate the mind and learning through games, experiences, and fun! Alongside her involvement, Alaina enjoys her role on the OATFACS Board, cooking, and spending time with her family – husband Jake and three children: Jase, Jordan, and Jemma.

Danielle Wilkins

Alabama

Danielle Wilkins, a graduate of the University of North Alabama with a B.S.Ed. in Family and Consumer Sciences and an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, is a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher and FCCLA Adviser at Florence Middle School in Florence, Alabama. She has served as an FCCLA Adviser for three years and is passionate about helping students develop leadership skills, explore career opportunities, and make a positive impact through Family and Consumer Sciences education.

Danielle has grown her middle school FCCLA Chapter through student-led projects, community service, leadership development, and Competitive Events. Her chapter has participated in state and national leadership conferences, earned recognition for 100% affiliation, and competed in STAR Events at both the state and national levels. She also serves on Alabama’s Competitive Events Advisory Team and as a member of the FCCLA National Consultant Team, where she enjoys sharing practical resources, creative chapter ideas, and strategies with fellow advisers.

Danielle is especially passionate about middle school FCCLA, membership growth, and building strong, student-led chapters. She is currently pursuing a degree in Instructional Leadership at Jacksonville State University with the goal of becoming a Career and Technical Education director. Outside of her professional life, Danielle enjoys spending time with her husband, Tim, and their two children, Julia and Colsen.

CHRISTINA LOYD

Arkansas

Christina Loyd, a graduate of Arkansas Tech University with a master’s degree in Gifted Education, has dedicated 25 years to education, including 16 years at Nemo Vista High School, where she has served as the FCCLA Adviser for 11 years. With a strong passion for Career and Technical Education and Family & Consumer Sciences, Christina specializes in Food Production and Nutrition Science programs. She actively engages her chapter in FCCLA Competitive Events and National Programs, focusing on community service, leadership, and problem-solving.

Her FCCLA Chapter is actively involved in the local Center Ridge community, Conway County, and the Arkansas State Fair, earning recognition in 501 Magazine for their food competitions. Outside of her professional life, Christina loves spending time with her two grandchildren, cooking with her family, and showing livestock on her farm.

Alison Hertenstein                 

Iowa

Alison Hertenstein, a graduate of South Dakota State University with a bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Wayne State College, has been a passionate Family and Consumer Sciences teacher and FCCLA Adviser since 2002. At Hinton Community School, Alison teaches a comprehensive FCS curriculum and enjoys creating engaging, hands-on learning experiences that connect classroom learning to real-world applications while helping students discover their strengths, develop leadership skills, and explore career opportunities.

A strong advocate for FCCLA and student leadership, Alison serves on the Iowa FCCLA Board of Directors and is a past member of National FCCLA’s Competitive Events Advisory Team. She has helped develop state Competitive Events and presented workshops to support and inspire advisers across Iowa. Her Hinton FCCLA Chapter is active at the local, state, and national levels, excelling in STAR Events and Knowledge Bowl. Chapter members have also expanded their leadership skills by serving as district and state officers, as well as on the National Executive Council.

Alison is committed to fostering leadership, career readiness, and service through FCCLA at the local, state, and national levels. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Ben, and their three children, Ian, Ellie, and Evie, cheering on the SDSU Jackrabbits, playing cribbage, and supporting her students at Hinton Blackhawk events.

Jessica Lavicky           

Iowa

Jessica Lavicky, a graduate of Northwest Missouri State University with a degree in Journalism, is a Family and Consumer Sciences educator in Iowa. After more than 20 years working in newspapers, communications, and customer service, Jessica followed her passion for education and is now in her sixth year of teaching FCS. She began her teaching career at Manson Northwest-Webster before helping relaunch the Family and Consumer Sciences program in Ogden, Iowa.

A passionate advocate for FCCLA and student leadership, Jessica has helped students achieve success at the district, state, and national levels. In three years, her chapter sent nine National Finalists to the National Leadership Conference and supported three State Officers and five District Officers. Her students have also earned national recognition, including an NLC Student Scholarship and a Top 15 Student of the Year honor. Jessica has been recognized with Iowa’s Spirit of Advising Award, Distinguished Adviser Award, and New Educator of the Year Award and was named a Top 15 FCCLA Adviser of the Year in 2025.

Jessica serves as past president of the Iowa Family and Consumer Sciences Educators association and as a member of the FCCLA National Consultant Team. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys coaching volleyball, spending time with family, helping on the family farm, hunting, fishing, hiking, and exploring the outdoors. Proud of her Czech heritage, Jessica also enjoys researching her family genealogy and discovering the stories and traditions of previous generations.

Jamie Diehl                

Montana

Jamie Diehl, a graduate of Montana State University, is in her 15th year as an FCCLA Adviser and Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Ennis School District in Ennis, Montana. She began her teaching career in rural Ennis, teaching comprehensive FCS courses for students in grades 7–12, while stepping into a thriving FCCLA Chapter with a strong tradition of student leadership and achievement.

As an FCCLA Adviser, Jamie has continued that tradition of excellence by mentoring State Officers and supporting numerous members who qualify for national competition each year. She has also held multiple leadership positions within Montana’s Family and Consumer Sciences and FCCLA network, including serving as Montana FCCLA Board President.

As a member of the FCCLA National Consultant Team, Jamie is excited to share her passion for FCCLA, student leadership, and adviser support while helping strengthen FCCLA Chapters and programs across the country.

Christina Sargent

Nevada

Christina Sargent is a Family and Consumer Sciences and Culinary Arts educator at Rancho High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she has dedicated more than 20 years to inspiring students through hands-on learning, leadership, and career preparation. As an FCCLA Adviser, Christina is passionate about integrating FCCLA into the classroom to help students develop leadership skills, build confidence, serve their communities, and prepare for future careers.

A dedicated advocate for FCCLA and student leadership, Christina has served the organization at the local, state, and national levels, including serving on the Nevada FCCLA Board of Directors and as Board Chair. She has been recognized as the Nevada FCCLA Adviser of the Year and received the FCCLA Spirit of Advising Award. Her students have competed in Competitive Events at both the state and national levels, developing skills and discovering leadership abilities through their FCCLA experiences.

In addition to FCCLA, Christina is actively involved in Career and Technical Education leadership, serving in leadership roles with Nevada ACTE and the National Association of Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences. She is also an ACTE National Leadership Fellow representing the Family and Consumer Sciences Division. As a member of the FCCLA National Consultant Team, Christina enjoys supporting advisers, strengthening the connection between FCCLA and the classroom, and sharing practical resources that help chapters and students thrive.