HDFS Diversity Statement

Matters of Diversity are an integral part of identity and experience in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS). The imprint of diversity is evident in all we do - in teaching, conducting research, providing service, and extending our expertise into the campus community and beyond. The core mission of HDFS is to understand human development with approaches that are highly sensitive to diversity - diversity that reflects or is generated by race and ethnicity, social class, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity, ability, age, religion, and other forms of indiviual and group differences. Our mission is to also understand how diversity affects or is affected by experiences in a range of social environments - especially neighborhoods, schools, friendships and peer groups, and families.

Some examples of how our HDFS students embrace their commitment to diversity are shown below:

Doris Cancel-Tirado Doris Cancel-Tirado, a first generation HDFS college graduate student wins a prestigious award. Please click here to read the article in Synergies and to watch the video interview with Doris.

Lori Chen

On her way to earning her BS in HDFS with a minor in Mandarin Chinese, Lori fulfilled her internship requirement working for three months at Layla House, an orphanage in Ethiopia. She taught classes in math, science, music, family, health, computer, and physical activity; traveled the country helping orphanage workers rescue abandoned babies; worked with children with disabilities; and shadowed social workers helping adoptive families and children through immigration. Lori worked one-on-one with adoptees to ease their transition to their new families.

Devora Shamah

A PhD Candidate in human development and family sciences, Devora is examining how growing up in a rural place shapes the educational and occupational aspirations and sense of purpose of youth. She spent most of last year in Wallowa County interviewing and observing high school students to understand their development experience in this remote corner of Oregon. Her research is funded by Stanford University, the American Association of University Women, and OSU's Sustainable Rural Communities Initiative. Devora recently attended the European Society of the Study of Adolescence Summer Institute in Torino, Italy.

Jamie Suter

For her work fostering international relationships on campus and around the world, Jamie was presented the Clara L. Simerville Award for International Education. A June graduate in HDFS and Education, Jamie was recognized as an exceptional mentor, recruiter, and guide for international students. She drove students around Oregon, helped them acclimate to the language and customs of our country, planned events, and was a writing tutor via email for students in Japan. She is currently teaching in Japan with Japanese Exchange and Teaching (JET). Here she is pictured with Miyuki Shimizu, who welcomed her to Japan.