The University of Illinois has over 100 different student organizations! Many HDFS majors are members and leaders of these exciting clubs.
Human Interest Professionals Club
The Human Interest Professions Club provides students with opportunities to volunteer in the community, enhance their leadership skills, and develop as professionals through mentorship. Originally organized for students majoring in Human Development and Family Studies, the HIP Club has grown to involve students from many different human services-related majors across the entire UIUC campus. The HIP Club's forte is volunteer work and organized events with people in the community. Members volunteer at local soup kitchens and nursing homes, support area charities, and participate in events to raise awareness of children's issues. Each year the club sponsors a Halloween party for children at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. HIP Club members are also prominent in College of ACES’ activities, including Explore ACES and the College's leadership development programs. The club's faculty advisor is Dr. Linlin Yao.
Illinois Student Council on Family Relations (ISCFR)
The Illinois Student Council on Family Relations (ISCFR) is a professional organization for graduate and undergraduate students who are preparing for careers in human development, family policy, family counseling, academia, and other related areas. We're housed in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. The purpose of ISCFR is to provide educational, service learning, and professional development activities for students, while promoting family education and awareness in our local community. Some of our activities include:
- Discussion of topics related to families and family development and relationships
- Community service
- Learning research presentation skills
- Annual conferences
- Career exploration/preparation
- Graduate school exploration/preparation
ISCFR is a student affiliate of the National Council on Family Relations (www.ncfr.org), an organization committed to the development and dissemination of knowledge about families and family development and relationships.
UIUC Child Life Association
The UIUC Child Life Association is an organization for students looking to go into the field of Child Life – working with children and their families in hospital settings. The club works to prepare students for their future careers by explaining and helping them prepare for practicums, internships, and exams. Additionally, the club provides students with the opportunity to travel to different Children's Hospitals for Child Life conferences in order to become more educated about the field. The club helps out in the community as well, by hosting a Halloween party on the Pediatrics Unit at Carle Hospital, volunteering at the Ronald McDonald house in Chicago, helping the Child Life Specialist at Carle Hospital promote Pediatrics Month, and more. We also provide students with the opportunity to volunteer at Crisis Nursery. The club is a great way to get involved and become educated with the Child Life field. Child Life Association members are also prominent in College of ACES activities, including Explore ACES and the College's leadership development programs. The club's faculty advisor is Emily Hurth.
Human Development and Family Studies Ambassadors
The Human Development and Family Studies Ambassadors (HDFSA) are a group of undergraduate students who assist the department with recruiting students to join the major. HDFSA members are leaders within the HDFS and Illinois community, and are passionate about sharing their experiences within HDFS and ACES. HDFSA members participate in tabling fairs, travel for high school visits and presentations, and attend campus-wide recruitment activities to answer admitted students’ questions about the major, campus, and student experience. HDFS students interested in joining can complete an application to participate in the interview selection process. All HDFS students are encouraged to apply.
For more information, please contact HDFS Academic Advisor: Barbara Anderson.