To improve the well-being of individuals, families, communities, and related businesses, and industries through teaching, research, and outreach. An integrative approach is carried out in these program areas:

•  Agricultural Information Science and Education (AISE)

•  Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising (ATM)

•  Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS)

Background

The formation of the School of Human Sciences in 1996 represented a major commitment by the previous and current administrations, faculty, students, alumni, and stakeholders to the development of the human and social capital and to people-focused scholarship within the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine. The addition of the Department of Agricultural Information Science and Education in 2002 further enhances this commitment. To pursue this commitment, the School has established outstanding academic programs. People-oriented programs are needed and desired by students and stakeholders, as evidenced by the School ' s enrollment growth and job placements.

The School currently has the second largest enrollment in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). The commitment of Human Sciences' faculty and staff to excellence is evident in teaching, especially considering the growth, demand for the programs offered in the School, and the number of teaching and advising awards received by the faculty. The School of Human Sciences has more Grisham Master Teachers and CALS Excellence in Teaching Awards than any other unit within the Division and College. The School plans to continue on this path of excellence, striving to provide students with contemporary programs and outstanding learning opportunities at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The School will continue to provide strong curricula and excellent teaching and advising.

Extension/Outreach

The School's programs are strong components of the land-grant institution, which is designed to provide outreach to the community and state. The School's commitment to this process is evident in several outreach programs, such as its early childhood and youth development and consumer economics work. It is evident that our programs are based on the forces of change in our state, such as population diversity, shift work, high-risk families, and environmental issues and concerns related to the safety, health, and welfare of humans. The School works collaboratively to provide the optimum structure or system that is the most conducive to developing and maintaining relationships with individuals, organizations, communities, government and industry to determine needs, develop funding sources and provide the outreach. Human Sciences faculty and graduates work with people in and across a variety of settings, including homes; schools; health and clinical settings; community agencies and institutions; and business, industry, and government. This strength must be enhanced to address the social and economic challenges that face the state and its communities.

Research

The School's commitment is being realized by the enhancement of research goals and objectives to strengthen individuals, families, communities, and businesses and industries. The demand for research within its multidisciplinary areas is substantial. For example, Human Sciences' faculty study early childhood issues; parenting issues; childcare; families in transition; family financial management; adult and youth development; use of information technology; aging; social and psychological effects of clothing; and the human interface with the environment.

The School is expanding research efforts by 1) determining priorities for program areas based on the needs of clientele; 2) expecting each faculty member to submit proposals and refereed papers and journal articles; 3) searching for additional opportunities and funding sources; 4) developing relationships with organizations and agencies; and 5) partnering with other disciplines to solve research-related problems.

Focus

Youth, families, schools, and communities face increasingly complex challenges. The structure, mission, priorities, and goals of the School have the advantage of bringing together multiple disciplines to develop and implement research and creative works and provide contemporary academic and outreach programs to meet these challenges. In order to accomplish our mission, the faculty, staff, administration, alumni, and stakeholders are working together to increase endowment, academic and research support, outreach programming and to educate the public on the School's purpose and mission.

Opportunities abound in our areas of expertise. The program areas and faculty strengths are making significant contributions to this important work, which is a major priority of the University and the Division of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine.

Gary B. Jackson, Director

Revised June 2005

School of Human Sciences Resources

• School of Human Sciences Standing Committees (2006-2008)
  

• 2007 School of Human Sciences Promotion and Tenure Guidelines
  

• Points of Pride 2006