About Family and Consumer Sciences

Carol A. Rice, Ph.D., R.N.
Extension Program Leader–Family Development and Resource Management
Professor and Extension Health Specialist
Regents Fellow

2251 TAMU
College Station, Texas 77843-2251
phone: (979) 845-3877
fax: (979) 845-6496
crice@ag.tamu.edu

Carol Rice is a Professor and Extension Health Specialist. Her specialty is community health and wellness education. Working with a team of Extension educators, she developed a physical activity program, Walk Across Texas. This eight-week program, now implemented yearly in 80 to 100 Texas counties with leadership from county Extension educators, helps Texans significantly increase their level of physical activity. She has also worked with Mary Bielamowicz, Ph.D., a registered dietitian, and Courtney Schoessow, M.P.H., to develop a diabetes education program, Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes. This 9-topic program is now being implemented in 101 Texas counties. County Extension educators team with local health care providers to deliver the six sessions aimed at helping people with type 2 diabetes learn the necessary skills to manage their disease. Both programs include an extensive training program for Extension educators and on-line data collection to assess outcomes.

Dr. Rice’s past experience includes a variety of clinical positions with a community focus and 21 years teaching undergraduate and graduate nursing at several schools within the University of Texas System.

Since coming to the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, she has worked to support and extend health education conducted by county Extension agents. She serves as project director for Early Detection and Cancer Awareness for Rural Texans and Reducing Tobacco Use by Youth in Rural Communities.

Dr. Rice received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin. She has a Master’s Degree from the University of California at San Francisco and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin. All of her degrees are in nursing.