The MSU Department of Human Development and Family Studies has selected Lilly Phillips as their 2026 Outstanding Senior. She is a child development – Birth to Kindergarten and Special Education major from Columbus, Ohio.
“To be recognized as the Outstanding Senior is a beautiful culmination of the most influential 4 years of my life,” Lilly Phillips said. “The HDFS community is full of inspiring and dedicated people, so to be chosen is an honor that I carry proudly. I am deeply appreciative of all that HDFS has offered me and grateful to be a part of its legacy.”
Students are chosen for their academic and extracurricular excellence.
“Lilly Phillips is a dedicated and compassionate student whose perseverance and commitment have truly set her apart,” said Dr. Jinny Han, HDFS advisor and assistant professor. “It has been a pleasure to observe her growth and development. With her goal of becoming a teacher, along with her strong work ethic and genuine desire to help children grow and develop, I am confident she will make a meaningful impact and achieve great success in all that she pursues.”
After she graduates, Lilly plans to teach in an early childhood classroom. Her dream is to be a lead teacher in a 4-year-old classroom. When she was deciding on her major and career path, she said that reflecting on her passions made child development the most natural and purposeful choice.
“I have never doubted that my place in this world is working with children,” Lilly reflected. “I have always been drawn to teaching, playing, and building meaningful connections with the children in my life. These interactions with children have not only brought me immense joy but also a sense of belonging.”
Lilly found her coursework and her connections very meaningful during her child development program.
“My favorite courses were HDFS 322 and HDFS 424. I enjoyed working with infants so much during my time in HDFS 322,” she said. “They showed me what true individualization looks like in early childhood education.”
During her student teaching practicum and seminar (HDFS 424), Lilly found out how capable she was in planning and implementing curriculum and building relationships with families.
“I made lasting connections with the children in my classroom as they shaped me into not only a better teacher, but a better person,” she said. “I will carry this experience with me as I move forward in early childhood education.”
Lilly felt very supported and connected to HDFS faculty, especially her mentor, Erica Colón, Child Development Laboratories head teacher.
“Throughout my student teaching, she guided me with patience, wisdom, and unwavering support, showing me my true potential,” she said. “Through her, I learned to embrace the unexpected, to meet children where they are, and to serve them in the most meaningful way possible.”
The time she spent at the CDL was the highlight of Lilly’s child development program.
“I had my first experience in a childcare setting at the CDL and was shown high-quality, developmentally appropriate practice emanated through staff, materials, and overall environment,” she said.
Academically thriving during a semester where Lilly earned the Board of Trustees Award for achieving 4.0 throughout college, she plans to continue her education with a master’s in child development while she teaches.
She also has some advice for other undergraduates in the child development major:
“Keep going! The high-quality education we are striving to provide for young children is making a difference. Your passion for creating experiences and opportunities for children and families will be deeply impactful.”