AHDFS Archives - College of Health and Human Sciences

Fun and games

February 27, 2025 jdonahue AHDFS, Applied Human Development and Family Sciences, CHHS, College of Health and Human Sciences, FACS, Family and Consumer Sciences, human development and family sciences, School of Family and Consumer Sciences

The School of Family and Consumer Sciences proved they’ve got game during their Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS) program game night on Feb. 19. Nearly 100 students arrived at Wirtz Hall for the event that included information about programs, events and

Fostering Hope

January 24, 2025 jdonahue AHDFS, CHHS, College of Health and Human Sciences, FACS, Family and Consumer Sciences, human development and family sciences, Marriage and Family Therapy, School of Family and Consumer Sciences, SMFT, Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy, Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy Program

Hoa Vo, ’23, is an agent of change. Growing up in DeKalb, her journey through foster care fueled a deep passion for advocating for others. While at NIU, she witnessed firsthand the lack of support provided to former foster youth as they

Child Development and Family Center earns State of Illinois Gold rating

February 20, 2024 jdonahue AHDFS, Applied Human Development and Family Sciences, CHHS, child development and family center, Child Development Lab, Family and Consumer Sciences, School of Family and Consumer Sciences

NIU Child Development and Family Center (CDFC) maintained the ExceleRate Illinois Gold Circle of Quality, a quality rating system for early childhood programs in Illinois that focuses on four areas: teaching and learning, family and community engagement, leadership and management, and qualifications and continuing education.

Huskie Spotlight – Kalilah Chears

March 28, 2023 jdonahue AHDFS, Applied Human Development and Family Sciences, CHHS, College of Health and Human Sciences, FACS, Family and Consumer Sciences, human development and family sciences

Kalilah Chears is a human development and family sciences major from Rockford, IL Hometown: Rockford, IL Year: Expected graduation: 2025 Major: Human development and family sciences What scholarships did you receive and why did you receive them? How has the financial support impacted your experience

Huskie Spotlight – Paige Butauski

March 28, 2023 jdonahue AHDFS, Applied Human Development and Family Sciences, CHHS, College of Family and Consumer Sciences, College of Health and Human Sciences, FACS, Family and Consumer Sciences, human development and family sciences, Marriage and Family Therapy, School of Family and Consumer Sciences, Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy, Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy Program

Paige Butauski is a human development and family sciences master’s student from Hilliard, OH Hometown: Hilliard, OH Year: Expected graduation: 2023 Major: Human development and family sciences (M.S.) What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a

NIU welcomes new Health Sciences Librarian

March 28, 2023 jdonahue AHCD, AHDFS, Allied Health and Communicative Disorders, Applied Human Development and Family Sciences, CHHS, College of Health and Human Sciences, FACS, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health Studies, human development and family sciences, IHP, Nursing, School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders, School of Family and Consumer Sciences, School of Health Studies, School of Interdisciplinary Health Professions, School of Nursing

Betsy Sterner found a way to pair her passion for information science with her dedication for instruction and education when she took the role as NIU’s new Health Sciences librarian in August. For the proud alum, who holds the rank of assistant professor, working

Child Development and Family Center accolades

December 6, 2022 jdonahue AHDFS, Applied Human Development and Family Sciences, CHHS, child development and family center, College of Health and Human Sciences, FACS, Family and Consumer Sciences, School of Family and Consumer Sciences

NIU Child Development and Family Center (CDFC) maintained the ExceleRate Illinois Gold Circle of Quality. “Having a gold rating in ExceleRate – and maintaining it – means that all staff have met and maintained professional learning levels,” said Kristin Schulz, executive director

Huskie Spotlight – Ruchika Jain

November 29, 2022 jdonahue AHDFS, Applied Human Development and Family Sciences, CHHS, College of Health and Human Sciences, FACS, Family and Consumer Sciences, human development and family sciences, Marriage and Family Therapy, School of Family and Consumer Sciences, SMFT, Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy, Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy Program

Ruchika Jain is a graduate student in the Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy (SMFT) program at NIU. Hometown: India Year: Expected graduation: 2024 Major: Marriage and family therapy Master’s program What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing

Reaccreditation for the Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy program at NIU

November 22, 2022 jdonahue AHDFS, Applied Human Development and Family Sciences, CHHS, College of Health and Human Sciences, Couple and Family Therapy Clinic, human development and family sciences, Marriage and Family Therapy, SMFT, Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy, Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy Program

The Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy (SMFT) program recently received reaccreditation for the next seven years from the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). For DeAnna Harris-McKoy, it’s a completion of a goal she set when she

Huskie Spotlight – Jennie Espinoza

August 24, 2022 jdonahue AHDFS, Applied Human Development and Family Sciences, CHHS, College of Health and Human Sciences, FACS, Family and Consumer Sciences, SMFT, Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy Program

Jennie Espinoza is a human development and family sciences graduate student from Mendota, IL Hometown: Mendota, IL Year: Expected graduation: 2022 Major: Human development and family sciences Transfer from: Illinois Valley Community College What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you

Huskie Spotlight – Nicole Smalley

April 20, 2022 jdonahue AHDFS, Applied Human Development and Family Sciences, CHHS, College of Health and Human Sciences, FACS, SMFT, Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy Program

Hometown: Pingree Grove, IL Year: Anticipated graduation year: 2022 Major: Human development and family sciences Transfer from: Elgin Community College What scholarships did you receive and why did you receive them? How has the financial support impacted your experience at NIU? I have a graduate assistant tuition

Family and Consumer Sciences alum, Marquita Davis, ’89

February 28, 2022 jdonahue AHDFS, Alumni, Applied Human Development and Family Sciences, College of Health and Human Sciences, FACS

For Marquita Davis, ’89, NIU will always be remembered as a crossroads of sorts—one that led her down the path of supporting families and children’s education her life’s work. “It was at NIU when I decided to change my major from business