(she/her)  | President

Erin is a third-year MS-to-PhD student in the Human Development and Family Science program (FS track).  She is from the Chicago suburbs and is a midwest enthusiast! Her research broadly focuses on complex relationships, spanning from non-monogamous relationships, LGBTQ+ relationships, and family relationships. She is actively pursuing graduate certificates in Gerontology, Human Sexuality, and Woman & Gender Studies. 

Outside of research, she is involved in the local community in Queer Climbing club and Defending Democracy. For fun, Erin loves cozy activities including reading in her hammock, crocheting, puzzling, gardening, baking sourdough. treats, coloring, and hanging out with her cats, Walter and Otto.  

Contact Erin if you have any concerns, need someone to advocate for you on the department level, and/or need help finding who to talk to!

ekandre@vt.edu

(she/her) | Vice President

Emma is a third-year doctoral candidate in the family science concentration from Wisconsin. Her research focuses broadly on sexual health and well-being, sexual violence, and queer experiences. 

Outside of the program, Emma enjoys reading thriller books, eating good food, and hiking with her husband and dogs.

Contact Emma if you have general concerns that you would like the HDFSGSA to address.

emmadesens@vt.edu

(she/they) | Treasurer

Caryl is a third year PhD student in the Human Development and Family Science (FS track). In her free time, they like to do various hobbies (crocheting, reading) and being a plant mom. 

Contact Caryl if you have any questions about the program, resources available, or general questions or concerns.

carylfaulks@vt.edu

(she/her)  | Secretary

Jules is a second-year marriage and family therapy PhD student in the Human Development and Family Science program. Her primary research focus is on processes of gender socialization and how clinicians can strengthen affirming relationships between cis parents and their trans and nonbinary children in the therapy room.

In her free time, she enjoys painting, writing and playing music, lifting, yoga, making coffee, and practicing her winged eyeliner.

Please contact Jules if there's anything that you'd like added to the website or calendar, or if you have any announcements to make!

jstrati@vt.edu

(she/her) | Graduate and Professional Students Senator (GPSS)

Lizzie is a second-year Child and Adolescent Development MS-PhD student in the Human Development and Family Science program.

She enjoys spending time outdoors, crocheting, reading, and being with her miniature dachshund, Chestnut.

Please feel free to contact Lizzie if you have any issues you would like raised at the student senate, or if you have any general questions about GPSS proceedings or events.

zixinli@vt.edu

(she/her) | Graduate Committee Representative

Nahyun is a second-year PhD student from South Korea in the Human Development and Family Science program in the Adult Development and Aging track.

Her doctoral dissertation will focus on post-caregiving experiences by integrating caregiving and familial bereavement contexts.  

In her free time, she enjoys reading books, exercising, trying new recipes, and video calling with loved ones in South Korea. She especially enjoys winter and having a cup of coffee on cold winter days.

Please contact Nahyun if you have any graduate-committee-related questions or questions about the portfolio model.

na1hyun@vt.edu

She/Her | Marriage and Family Therapy Representative

Lale is a third-year PhD student in the Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) track. Her research is on managing romantic relationships and healthy parenting in vacious contexts. She loves traveling, learning about different cultures, and cooking. 

Please contact Lale if you have any concers or need more resources about the MFT Program. 

lalehanoz@vt.edu