Fall 2018 Family Science News Round-Up

Publications

Zhang, Q., Rojhani, A., Gullón-Rivera, A.L., and Kwak, S. (2018). Prevalence and knowledge of anemia among pregnant women enrolled in Women, Infants and Children supplemental food program. Nutrition and Food Science. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/NFS-03-2018-0097

Izumi, M., & Gullón-Rivera, A.L. (2018). Family resilience among sojourning Japanese mothers: Links to marital satisfaction and children's behavioral adjustment. Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal, 46(3), 282-296.

Presentations at National Conferences

Chen, J., Doudna, K.D., Gullon-Rivera, A.L., and Blaisure, K. (2018). Listening as a foundation for empathy and rapport. Presentation, Michigan After school Association Spring Conference. Frankenmuth, MI May 2018.

Chen, J., Doudna, K. D., Duncan Lane, C., and Cheung, J. H. (2018). Factors Related to Family Resilience and Post-Traumatic Growth in Students Who Are Military Personnel or Dependents of Military Personnel. Poster presentation at the 80th National Council on Family Relations Annual Conference. Theme: Families and Cultural Intersections in a Global Context: Innovations in Research, Practice, and Policies. November 8th, 2018, San Diego, CA.

Gullón-Rivera, Á.L. (2018). Community-University Partnership: A Community Based Parenting Program. Presentations at the 80th National Council on Family Relations Annual Conference. Theme: Families and Cultural Intersections in a Global Context: Innovations in Research, Practice, and Policies. November 6-11, 2018, San Diego, CA.

Marcy Peake presented at the following:
• National AfterSchool Association Annual Conference - March 2018
• KRESA Early Childhood Institute - August 2018 • KYDNetwork Action Friday - October 2018
• Delton Kellogg High School Staff Professional Development - October 2018

Millar, R. E., & Woodshank, K. (2018). Creating a Professional Experience and Networking Event (PENE): Promoting student professional experiences, community connections and the field of Family Life Education. Presentation at the 80th National Council on Family Relations Annual Conference. November 6-11, 2018, San Diego, CA.

Family Science Faculty Service to Professional Organizations

Family Science faculty members are actively involved in professional organizations at the local, state and national levels.

Bryce Dickey served as a member of a five-person National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) committee that revised the Certified Family Life Educator's (CFLE) ethical code. The committee consisted of two faculty, one practicing professional, one government/professional representative and the Director of Family Life Education at NCFR. The revised CFLE Code of Ethics (https://.ncfr.org/cfle-certification/cfle-code-ethics) was released in August, 2018.

Angel Gullon-Rivera serves on the Certified Family Life Education (CFLE) Exam Committee. The selected group of 8-subject matter members is currently working on setting the cut score for the new CFLE exam form that is being launched in the upcoming testing window. In addition to the cut score study, the CFLE exam committee works to create new test questions throughout the year.

Karen Blaisure is a member of the Editorial Boards of Family Relations: Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Family Studies and the Journal of Feminist Family Therapy.

Robin Millar serves on the Kalamazoo County 4-H Expansion and Review committee. The committee reviews the status of the 4-H program, determine ways to expand and reach new audiences and re-evaluate progress toward the expansion goals identified by the committee.

Jou-Chen Chen served as a moderator for an invited presenter workshop: Mentoring international students, post-doctoral scholars and new professionals at the 80th National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) Annual Conference. Theme: Families and Cultural Intersections in a Global Context: Innovations in Research, Practice, and Policies. November 8th, 2018, San Diego, CA. She also served as one of the panelists and co-facilitators for The international SNP (student and new professional) experience: A time for dialogue and resource exchange. Jou-Chen Chen was one of the panelists for an invited professional development panel for Asian American Focus Group at NCFR.

Welcoming Our New Faculty (Summer II 2018)

We welcome back our new faculty member Robin Gallagher. Robin earned her M.A. in Family and Consumer Sciences, Family Science, Western Michigan University. Before working in the Department of Sociology at Grand Valley State University, where she mentored and taught numerous courses, Robin was our Professional Experience Coordinator. Now, we are glad to have her back as our Academic Adviser and faculty specialist. Her current position combines two of her professional passions: teaching and mentoring students.

Student Organizations

The Family Science program has two active student organizations. Engaging in these organizations provides opportunities for students to interact with peers, hone leadership skills and serve the community. During meetings and service projects, students network and learn about career paths and job opportunities. The mission of the Family Studies Student Organization (FSSO) is to improve and promote an understanding of Family Studies, Child and Family Development and Family Life Education while connecting students on WMU’s campus and the community, through networking, volunteering and community service.

Student Accomplishments

Jessica Cheung (CLS graduate student) won a CEHD Scholarship and was honored at the CEHD Scholarship Ceremony Nov. 2.

New Academic Options and Major

The Family Science Program has two undergraduate majors offered entirely online as well as on-campus (Family Studies and Child and Family Development). In addition, we created a new program: The Youth and Community Development. This new major can be earned on-campus or online with minimal on-campus classes. In addition, we offer an Accelerated Graduate Degree Program (qualifying undergraduates can accumulate up to 12 credits toward MA in Child Life or Family Life Education, or Youth and Community Development). In addition to the MA in FCS Family Life Education, recently we are offering the following graduate options:

  • MA in FCS Child Life Concentration
  • MA in FCS Youth and Community Development
  • Graduate certificate in Youth and Community Development
  • Graduate certificate in Kinship Care Families