Fela Leal
CORPUS CHRISTI – Fela Leal has been named Texas Cooperative Extension director for family and consumer sciences in District 11 (Coastal Bend), effective June 1, announced Dr. Kathy Volanty, Extension associate director for human sciences. Leal formerly served as Extension agent in the Expanded Nutrition Program in Corpus Christi.
“The district Extension director for family and consumer science provides leadership to Extension educators, or county agents, who help families manage and cope with present and changing needs of families in the 18 counties comprising the Coastal Bend District 11,” Leal said.
“Extension programs in family and consumer science are planned with local community input and target identified needs such as parenting, debt management, starting a home business, saving for college and retirement, nutritional health and the continuing progression of family needs.”
Leal earned a bachelor of home economics degree from Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M University-Kingsville) in 1968. She also earned two master’s degrees a master of adult education degree from Texas A&I in1981, and a master of public administration degree from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in 2000.
Leal, who served as Starr County Extension agent from 1968-69, was appointed Extension agent for the ENP program in 1970 and served in that capacity until 1985.
In 1986-87, she was assistant director for the Jobs Training Program for the City of Corpus Christi, and in 1987 she was promoted to administrative assistant to the assistant city manager for Development Services.
From 1990 until 1992, Leal became administrative assistant to the city manager, serving as staff liaison to the intergovernmental Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Hispanic Business Association, Hispanic Arts Center and County Commissioners’ Court.
In 1996 she returned to Extension as an agent for ENP in Corpus Christi. Leal is a member of National and Texas Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, and the National and Texas Association of Epsilon Sigma Phi. In 1984 she received the Superior Service Award from Texas Agricultural Extension Service (now Texas Cooperative Extension), and in 1985 was presented with the Dedicated Service Award from the Nueces County Mental Health Mental Retardation Center. Leal received the Leadership and Service Award from Texas A&M University-Kingsville Dietetic Internship Program.
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