The Department of Human Development & Family Studies (HDFS) prioritizes principles of diversity, inclusion, and equality. We support the commitment of Inclusive Illinois "to cultivating a community at Illinois where everyone is welcomed, celebrated, and respected" (https://rynetwork.illinois.edu/).  The department of HDFS is firmly committed to diversity and equality in all areas of campus life. We believe all members of our community are valued and bring important life experiences, values, and expectations that enrich our learning environment and campus as a whole. We are committed to building and sustaining a community in which everyone feels a sense of belonging, regardless of their experiences in all forms and intersections. We believe that discrimination, harassment, and victimization—direct or indirect and at an institutional or personal level—are unacceptable.  It is with active intention that we cultivate a learning and working environment in which there are open and respectful discussion and collaboration.

We understand that we have a responsibility to fight the perpetuation of stereotypes and misconceptions. We are dedicated to attracting and retaining faculty, students, and staff from diverse populations, including underrepresented and marginalized groups. We embrace and champion voices from diverse experiences knowing that this makes us a stronger community, better able to advance our missions in teaching, research, and outreach.

In agreement with the aims of Inclusive Illinois, we are firmly committed to diversity and equality in all areas of campus life. We believe these principles and practices are critical to fulfilling our department’s mission to address contemporary social issues that affect children, adults, families, and communities.

Diversity and Inclusion Committee Mission & Actions: The Department of Human Development and Family Studies formed an Ad Hoc Diversity and Inclusion Committee (DIC) in Fall 2016. The goal of the DIC is to generate a more inclusive departmental culture. To achieve this goal, we have achieved, or are in the process of working towards the following objectives.

  1. Create departmental statements about diversity and inclusion to be issued and displayed prominently on the HDFS website.
  2. Provide a syllabus statement that faculty, instructors, and teaching assistants can elect to put on their syllabi.

Syllabus Statement: The Department of Human Development and Family Studies supports the commitment of Inclusive Illinois "to cultivating a community at Illinois where everyone is welcomed, celebrated, and respected" (https://rynetwork.illinois.edu/).  We are firmly committed to diversity and equality in all areas of campus life. We believe all members of our community are valued and bring important life experiences, values, and expectations that enrich our learning environment and campus as a whole.  To foster a supportive and appreciative environment, students are encouraged to participate in discussion with their classmates who may represent a diversity of individual beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences. We each have the right to be heard and understood, and therefore also have a responsibility to listen and attempt to understand. Statements and questions should be shared respectfully. In an authentic and honest discussion, people might make mistakes, and when this inevitably occurs, we will pursue mutual understanding.

  1. Collect educational and scholarly resources about promoting diversity and inclusion in the classroom, making these resources available to all students, faculty, and staff. 
  2. Organize a series of teacher-training workshops and colloquia for students, faculty, instructors, and staff, to provide training on teaching intersectionality, structuring courses to promote challenging and respectful discussion, and setting the stage for an inclusive classroom environment.

Past workshops: 

  • April 14, 2017: Difficult Dialogues in the Classroom: Enhancing our Critical Pedagogy: Ross Wantland, Asst Dir in the Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations.
  • April 28, 2017: Practical Tips for Incorporating Intersectionality in the Undergraduate Classroom: Dr. Marcela Raffaelli, Professor in HDFS; Shawn Mendez, Graduate student in HDFS.
  • February 23, 2018: Addressing the role of multiple intersecting identities on human development in the classroom: Dr. Janice Carter-Black, Professor of Social Work.