Human Development and Family Studies Faculty

Educational Background

• Ph.D. Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Blacksburg, VA
• M.S. Chaminade University, Honolulu, HI
• B.S. Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN

Specialties

• Working with at-risk youth
• Sexual abuse and trauma
• Family studies
• Feminism and family studies

Honors and Awards

• Member: National Council on Family Relations
• Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Program, “Student Achievement and Workforce Development in Disadvantaged Populations, South Africa.”

Research Interests

• Impact of domestic violence on youth
• Use of Poetry in qualitative research
• Diversity in higher education

Hobbies and Other Interests

• Golfing
• Traveling

Educational Background

• M.S., Education, SUNY Oneonta
• B.S., Elementary Education, SUNY Oneonta

Specialties

• Children/families living in poverty
• Disabilities services for young children
• Managing challenging behavior in young children

Honors and Awards

• Phi Upsilon Omicron Nu National Honor Society in Home Economics
• Member: National Council on Family Relations
• Member: National Association for Education of Young Children

Memberships/Certifications

• National Association for the Education of Young Children
• National Head Start Association
• New York State Teacher Certification, N, K, grades 1-6.
• Certified Professional Development Specialist for the Council for Professional Development, Washington, DC

Hobbies and Other Interests

• Gardening
• Cooking
• Travel
• Fitness

Educational background:

• Ph.D Family Social Science, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
• M.Ed. Educational technology and communication, Kenyatta University, Nairobi
• B.Ed Home Economics, Kenyatta University Nairobi

Research interests
Research interest is on the well being of vulnerable populations especially women, children and recent immigrants especially from Africa. With roots in Kenya international families have also remained central area of study. I prefer to use the two theories in research: Human Ecological model and family strength perspective. I have participated in a series of global family strength research on various topics such as marriage, domestic violence, sexual violence, death and bereavement.

Courses

• HDFS 1000 Family Perspective
• HDFS 2100 Adolescents in Families
• HDFS 3100 Family Policy
• HUEC 3094 Special Topic Understanding Ethnic Minority Families and Working with Refugees

Hobbies and Other Interests

• Inclusivity in a multicultural World
• Travelling
• Reading
• Spending time with family and friends
• Zumba
• Listening to Music

Education

• DSW University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
• Postgraduate Certificate in Sex Therapy and Education, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
• MSW University at Albany, Albany, NY
• BA Hartwick College, Oneonta, NY

Research/Clinical Interests

• implementation science and the effectiveness of harm reduction approaches in substance use
• betrayal/infidelity in long-term relationships
• attachment based therapeutic interventions

Courses

• HDFS 2000 Marriage and Family Relationship
• HDFS 2100 Adolescents in Families
• HDFS 2540 Adulthood in Families
• HDFS 2550 Addictions: Family Impacts

Hobbies

• Golfing
• Kayaking
• Reading
• Video gaming