Dear Faculty, Students, Alumni, and Friends of HDFS,
As 2025 comes to a close, I extend warm holiday wishes to the HDFS community and reflect with pride on a year of shared accomplishment. Our work this year reflects a collective commitment to improving the health and well-being of children, families, and communities through rigorous research, teaching, and outreach. As we approach our 130th year, HDFS continues to exemplify what it means to pursue excellence in service of the public good.
Celebrating Distinguished Achievements
Throughout 2025, HDFS faculty, students, and alumni were recognized for their notable contributions. We proudly celebrated Dr. Deborah Johnson, who received the American Psychological Association Fellow distinction in recognition of her distinguished career and enduring contributions to the study of identity and racial-ethnic socialization. Dr. Sarah Douglas was awarded a prestigious Fulbright award to train professionals in South Africa on alternative communication methods to support children with developmental disabilities. Dr. Linda Halgunseth received the Society for Research in Child Development Latinx Caucus Mid-Career Research Award, honoring her impactful scholarship and leadership. We also celebrated Dr. Sarah Dunkel-Jackson, recipient of the National Hockey League’s Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award for her accessible hockey program, and Dr. Yuya Kiuchi, who received the IDEA Faculty Excellence Award, among many other HDFS faculty, students, and alumni recognized this year.
HDFS expertise was called upon again to serve the State of Michigan. Governor Whitmer appointed Dr. Erica Mitchell to the Michigan Board of Marriage and Family Therapy, a position last held by Dr. Kendal Holtrop, and Laurie Linscott was reappointed to the Early Childhood Investment Corporation Executive Committee. These roles reflect the ways HDFS faculty contribute their knowledge beyond the university to inform policy and practice that strengthen families and communities across Michigan.
Student Success
We also celebrated significant achievements across our academic programs. HDFS graduate students engaged in rigorous research, contributing new knowledge through numerous publications and national and international conference presentations, and they were recognized with competitive awards and fellowships. Our undergraduate program continues to thrive, with majors increasing by 18% over the past year and a half – an outcome that reflects rich learning experiences and will help address workforce shortages. Beyond campus, HDFS faculty led transformative study abroad experiences in Australia, Ghana, Japan, and Ireland, offering students powerful opportunities for global learning and personal growth.
Supporting Our Growth
The generosity of donors continues to make a profound difference for HDFS students. Scholarships and awards reduce financial barriers, open doors to opportunity, and affirm students’ potential. I invite you to consider supporting HDFS through a gift, helping us continue to empower the next generation of leaders, scholars, and practitioners who are committed to purposeful and impactful work.
Staying Connected
HDFS is strengthened by the enduring relationships among our faculty, students, alumni, retired faculty, and friends. As we look ahead to our 130th anniversary in 2026, we are excited to gather to honor the legacy we have built together and the future we are shaping. Please mark your calendar for March 10, 2026 – additional details will be shared in the new year. I also invite you to stay connected with us by following HDFS news on Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and X.
With appreciation and warm wishes,
Andrea K. Wittenborn, Ph.D., LMFT
Chair and Professor
Human Development and Family Studies
Michigan State University