The Academy | Creating Accessible Youth Development Programs in Military Communities

Deputy Consultant to the Surgeon General, Nutrition and Dietetics
Assistant Professor, U.S. Army Baylor Master’s Program of Nutrition
Registered Dietitian, Picatinny Arsenal

LTC Khan, a Registered Dietitian, holds a PhD in Public Health from Rutgers, an MPH in Global Health from New York Medical College, and a BS in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of New Mexico. She completed her internship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. She has served in various leadership and academic roles, including at Walter Reed, Tripler Army Medical Center, and Keller Army Community Hospital, and has deployed to Iraq. Currently, she leads research initiatives, supports the Virtual Clinic at Keller Army Community Hospital, and contributes to curriculum development and military nutrition research. Her expertise includes clinical nutrition operations, performance nutrition, public health nutrition, and professional education. She has numerous publications and presentations and is a DoD Nutrition SME and Clinical Practice Guideline contributor. Her awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, multiple Meritorious Service and Achievement Medals, and badges including Air Assault and Parachutist.

LTC Khan lives in Chester, NJ, with her husband, LTC Saleem Khan, and their two daughters. She will share her perspective as both a healthcare provider and a parent of a child with special healthcare needs.

Associate Professor and Extension Specialist
Associate Department Head for Extension
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Texas A&M University

Darlene Locke is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in the Texas A&M University Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications Department, specializing in Applied Youth Development. Her teaching and research focus on youth development and professional development for youth practitioners. She has over 30 years working with youth and adult audiences, striving to create inclusive environments that benefit everyone. Eleven of those years she served as Director of the Texas 4-H Conference Center and facilitated youth camp and educational programs. Since 2015, she has generated over $1M in grants and user fees to support Extension youth development programs.

Disability Community Coordinator, North Region
Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Erin Fogarty has been a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) for 20 years, with a background in clinical, community, and system-level roles. She has held professional positions including recreational therapist, wellness program manager, and community alignment coordinator, supporting individuals of all ages with chronic conditions and disabilities to enhance their health, community participation, and quality of life. In her role as Disability Community Coordinator for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, in partnership with the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities, Erin leads regional and statewide initiatives to improve community access and build partnerships that support the health and well-being of people with developmental disabilities. She provides education and training to agency staff, community partners, and youth development professionals on strategies to create accessible recreation opportunities and promote meaningful participation of people with disabilities. Erin is passionate about improving health outcomes and expanding access to recreation for all people. As a parent of two school-aged children with developmental disabilities, she brings both professional experience and personal insight to her work.