UADA hires first extension culinary nutrition, hospitality and tourism instructor
Sept. 4, 2026
By Ryan McGeeney
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts
- Whitson previously served as program associate
- New program will provide culinary, nutrition, hospitality education
(500 words)
Download photo of Whitson
LITTLE ROCK — Quadarius Whitson, who joined the Cooperative Extension Service as a culinary nutrition and food safety program associate in 2024, has taken on a new role as extension’s first culinary nutrition, hospitality and tourism instructor.
Whitson, who works within extension’s department of family and consumer sciences, said the position will take a three-pronged approach to educate and empower Arkansans through “culinary skills, nutrition education and hospitality excellence.”
The Cooperative Extension Service is the outreach and education arm of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
“There’s a lot of knowledge that goes into nutrition and cooking,” Whitson said, “and it’s important to be able to demonstrate what that looks like — how to prepare fruits and vegetables, what does good meal prep look like when you’re on limited time — things of that nature.”
Whitson said he will also partner with 4-H, extension’s youth-development program, to adapt culinary lessons for younger Arkansans where appropriate.
“Our goal is to meet Arkansans wherever they are and teach them the foundation of cooking,” he said.
In his new role, Whitson also will promote best practices in hospitality and tourism management, as well as healthful methods of food preparation. He also will develop materials relevant to hospitality operations.
“We want to appeal to Arkansans who are service-minded and workforce-driven and connect them with different educational opportunities,” Whitson said. “Tourism is the No. 2 industry in Arkansas, including agritourism, state parks, casinos and more. There’s a lot of opportunities to showcase what Arkansas has to offer to the rest of the world.”
Extension currently offers programs such as ServSafe workshops, designed by the National Restaurant Association, to train food service employees and managers to reduce exposure to harmful bacteria and other pathogens in the food service industry. Whitson said programming will build on existing training opportunities such as ServSafe while exploring additional credentialing options for workers in the hospitality industry.
Nina Roofe, head of Family and Consumer Sciences for the Division of Agriculture, said that while Whitson has done extensive work in the areas of culinary nutrition and hospitality as a program associate, “elevating it to a faculty role will increase visibility and create more opportunities for statewide collaboration.”
“I hope and expect this position will enhance our connections with Arkansas-based businesses that support agriculture and food systems, strengthen collaborations within the Farm to School and Early Childhood Education program, and create revenue streams through grants and other endeavors to support the work of our FCS agents in their counties,” Roofe said.
During his first few months in the role, Whitson said he plans to connect key stakeholders in relevant industries throughout Arkansas as well as sister institutions, such as the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
“I want this to be collaborative work,” Whitson said. “In a sense, it’s my program, but I think of this as everyone’s program. I want to bring in people from local communities, people from the university system and others into the discussion.”
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. To learn more about ag and food research in Arkansas, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station at aaes.uada.edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 22 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
# # #
Media Contact:
Ryan McGeeney
rmcgeeney@uada.edu
501-671-2120