Goals and Initiatives

The Department of Human Development and Family Studies is committed to encouraging and fostering an environment in which every member of our community can flourish, by opening conversations and creating opportunities to promote understanding, respect, and growth.

The HDFS Committee for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) works diligently to foster equity in the department, seeking feedback from community members and organizing additional learning opportunities as we work toward greater inclusion.

Additionally, a number of department faculty, staff, and graduate students are part of Penn State's Safer People, Safer Places network, and are available as a resource for the LGBTQ+ community.

Initiatives

Many HDFS faculty members conduct research on diversity and equity in human development. Students interested in gaining experience in research settings are encouraged to review the interests of faculty members. Faculty members may have opportunities for undergraduate involvement in their research and can be contacted directly for more information.