Human Development and Family Studies Newsletter | Spring 2022 Recap

The Human Development and Family Studies newsletter publishes twice per year, in January and June.

From Department Head Julie Braungart-Rieker

To our Human Development and Family Studies alumni and friends,

It has been wonderful to get back to some normalcy and see so many of you in person over the last semester. The 2022 year has already brought us so much. Our faculty have been continually recognized for their successes, our students have had the benefit of the return of events, and we were finally able to have a normal graduation, recognizing so many for their accomplishments and strength over the last several years.

Our faculty and staff have been working hard to help the success of our students, research, and department.

At the Colorado State University level, Dr. Debbie Fidler was recognized with the Scholarship Impact Award and Dr. Shelley Haddock received the Oliver P. Pennock Distinguished Service Award. For College awards, Dr. Lauren Shomaker received the Scholarly Excellence Award; Aga Burzynska received the Tenure-Track Faculty Scholarly Excellence Award; our advisers, Katie Ditter, Lucy Paltoo-Brady, and Lindsey Toper, received the Outstanding Adviser Award; and doctoral student Heidi Tseng won a CHHS Dean’s Fellow award.

With the help of our faculty and staff, we were able to get back to events to inform and support our department community. We had the honor of hosting the Mary Scott Lecture Series with invited guest Dr. Cynthia García Coll, who covered diversity, racism, and the development of minoritized children. We held multiple events for our students, including a “women in leadership” panel, a full week dedicated to careers in aging, and a learning opportunity for the early childhood concentration on resolving conflict in the classroom. We were also able to bring back the MacPhee Forum on Issues in Prevention Science with invited guest Dr. Kristin Valentino, who covered supporting recovery from child abuse and neglect.

We are so proud of all the work our department, friends, and alumni are doing, and we are happy to be back to doing a lot of it in person. As we head into summer, I hope you can find time to relax and reset for another great year.

Thanks for being part of this journey with us!

Stephen Aichele conducts study finding social isolation is a leading depression risk for middle-aged and older adults

Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide, with middle-aged and older adults disproportionately affected. Aichele analyzed data from 18 European countries to detect factors for depression risk.

CSU prepares students to meet the child care crisis with the help of the Early Childhood Center

As anyone who has shared a work-from-home Zoom call with preschoolers during the COVID-19 pandemic can attest, child care is a vital factor in parents fully participating in the American labor force.

Karen Barrett

After 32 years as a HDFS faculty member, Barrett has officially retired and been named a professor emerita.

Karen Rattenborg

Three CSU degrees, three decades of outstanding service: Rattenborg earns emeritus status

Robert Fetsch

Fetsch has devoted his 40-year career to sharing the latest family life research to make a difference.

Outstanding grad, Yoselin Estacuy, shows courage as she overcomes incredible obstacles

Estacuy’s road to graduation is an example of the American Dream, but it was also paved with huge obstacles.

Outstanding grad, Sarah Cromwell, starts first-ever CSU gerontology club through passion to help others

HDFS graduate Cromwell has left a huge impact on the department and the Fort Collins community.

Outstanding grad, Tanajha Putman, doubles as outstanding student leader and volunteer

As a first-generation college student who identifies as Black/African American, Putman dove into student organizations, involvement, and volunteer work to make the most of her experience.

All-American David Roddy, an HDFS student, leads the CSU basketball team on and off the court

The 2022 Mountain West coaches and media conference player of the year and Sports Illustrated All-American is always available for children – and others – who want a picture, a hello or an autograph. 

Prevention Extension Cast

Watch a recent video of the Prevention Research Center interview series featuring nationally recognized experts, hosted by professor and PRC executive director, Nate Riggs.

Alumni give back to the Early Childhood Center through scholarships and mentorship

This summer Emily Fawaz (second from left; M.S., occupational therapy, ’18) will mentor occupational therapy students who are following in her footsteps at CSU’s Early Childhood Center – and she’s well-prepared to do so. She’ll be supervising recipients of the Jody Werner (left; B.S., occupational therapy, ’70) OT Clinical Education Scholarship, which supported her hands-on, creative learning during her own fieldwork at the ECC.

MS champion and scholarship donor honored by the College of Health and Human Sciences Legacies Project

Kelly Walker (B.S., ’88; M.S., ’91, ’02) left an indelible mark on our department and in our lives. From her days as an enthusiastic student to an empathetic instructor, Kelly’s unwavering positivity, infectious sense of humor, support of CSU students, and dedication to the fight against multiple sclerosis impacted all who met her. She passed away May 3 at home with family at her side. A celebration of life will be held July 23 in the Lory Student Center Ballroom.

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