Human Development and Family Studies | Penn State College of Health and Human Development

Meet HDFS Instagram Ambassador, Kavya Iyer!

Kavya is a senior double majoring in HDFS and Psychology. She aspires to be a child psychologist to advocate for mental health awareness. The HHD Instagram Ambassador initiative highlights our majors through the eyes of the students within their program. We invite you to follow the account to learn, explore, and experience our program.

Meet HDFS Instagram Ambassador, Caroline Horn!

Caroline is a senior double majoring in HDFS and Early Childhood Education. She is also in the process of conducting her research for her honors thesis for the Schreyer Honors College. The HHD Instagram Ambassador initiative highlights our majors through the eyes of the students within their program. We invite you to follow their accounts to learn, explore, and experience our programs.

HHD Discovery: Turning passion into a business

Jaclyn Navarro found her passion in empowering people to live authentically and courageously. A 2022 graduate of Human Development and Family Studies, she is the co-creator of Wholesome, LLC, a business that helps people share their talents and explore their vulnerabilities in a supportive environment.

Learn about her entrepreneurial spirit.

woman sitting outside on the steps looking toward the sky

HHD Discovery: Effects of childhood abuse extend into middle age for some

For some abused children, trauma is embedded throughout their lives, while others don't experience negative health outcomes. Human Development and Family Studies researchers examined how childhood sexual abuse does—or doesn't—impact the hormone cortisol in adults.

Learn about the impact

Students studying in the library socially distanced and wearing masks.

Start your undergraduate journey

Explore this versatile undergraduate degree for anyone who is intrigued by human nature and the forces that help shape it.

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Faculty member, Tim Brick, assists a graduate student during a class.

Learn about graduate training

Discover how research and graduate training in HDFS provides students with the knowledge needed to contribute to the field of human development.

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Student analyzing research on a desktop computer

Explore HDFS research areas

Understand the variety of research areas and current projects that push the boundaries of knowledge in the field.

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Student meeting in the Diversity and Inclusion office.

Engage in HDFS diversity initiatives

Learn how HDFS is encouraging and fostering an environment in which every member of the community can flourish.

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A family sitting with hands stacked on top of each other.

Couples who took Family Foundations classes, a course for couples expecting their first child developed by Mark Feinberg, a Penn State research professor, had more positive family relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read the article

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