More than 600 Human Ecology students entered into alumnihood at spring commencement — joining our growing network of 17,000 alumni. Before earning their diplomas, the following notable grads created art, founded student organizations and deepened …
Human Development & Family Studies
Four faculty members promoted in 2026
Human ecologists who recently received promotions will return to campus this fall with added distinction. Jennifer Gaddis, Kristin Litzelman and David J. Pate Jr. have been promoted to professor. Yiwei Zhang has received tenure and …
Researcher Spotlights: Geoffrey Brown on how early childhood experiences can shape our lives
Researcher Spotlights are Q&As that shine a light on School of Human Ecology faculty members’ unique scholarship and research interests. Geoffrey Brown is the Mary Sue and Mike Shannon Chair for Thriving Children and Families …
Experts say early relationships are key to thriving kids — and lifelong health
What is “early relational health”? It’s a relatively new term for a long-held concept: Relationships are the biological foundation of child development, and when those bonds are healthy and stable, they create the best conditions …
Turning a passion for children’s well-being into policy change: Meet Caroline Pruchnicki x’26
For Caroline Pruchnicki x’26, switching her major to Human Development & Family Studies (HDFS) completely transformed her college experience. Before coming to the School of Human Ecology, Pruchnicki moved through challenging semesters marked by unfulfilling …
The joys and challenges of caregiving: New website showcases In Care Of exhibition
Being a caregiver for a loved one can feel like a lonely experience, but it’s all too common — some 63 million U.S. adults are unpaid caregivers, providing extra help to family members or friends …
Research Insights: What factors influence parental burnout?
Inés Botto, a graduate student in the Human Development & Family Studies (HDFS) department, helped author a recently published study that examined how different combinations of parenting circumstances — such as children’s ages, employment and …
When there is no map: Human ecology as a compass in navigating AI
AIHow do human ecologists approach the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in everyday life? By asking thoughtful questions rooted in human-centered principles, and drawing from longstanding expertise in relationships, communities, consumers and design. “Generative …
Human Ecology welcomes new faculty and instructional staff in 2025
The School of Human Ecology is excited to welcome four new faculty and three new instructional staff members to campus this fall. These scholars and lecturers bring interdisciplinary expertise in areas like fathering and child …
Helping children cope with stress during medical care: Meet Kaitlyn Brickl ’25
Kaitlyn Brickl ’25 is a child life specialist at Mayo Clinic Children’s in Rochester, Minnesota. In her role, Brickl supports and prepares children for medical situations they find scary or stressful. At its core, the …