Alumni - Department of Human Development and Family Science

Abigail Newcomb (Carty) ’21 Director - Magic Memories preschool

I work in a private school, so my faith plays a quiet role. I have verses on my desk, and my staff know of my faith. I always tell them that I am praying for them! It is so important to know you have that support!

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Conner Kime ’21 School Counselor - Conestoga Valley School District

I believe that as I counsel students and provide interventions for their academic, physical, and emotional needs I love them like Christ would. I work to provide services and aids to families at my school who are in need and educate students and parents.

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Carly Rippeon ’21 Graduate Enrollment Counselor - Messiah University

I learned more about myself and who I was becoming. I valued diving deep into content that is very applicable to everyday life. Not only was I in pursuit of my career, but I was being prepare as an individual to be sent out into the work force.

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Abby (Estes) Page ’20 Family Based Therapist - Pennsylvania Counseling Services

I have to say that I could not have been better prepared at a bachelor’s level for the job that I have. I tell people that I actually could not be using my degree more than I am.

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Taylor Forbes ’20 Taylor Forbes '20 Graduate Assistant at Messiah University

"HDFS also is focused on helping people, but instead of helping through healthcare it was through resource management, interpersonal relationships, and through social services and counseling. This was the help I was called to do!"!

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Ricky Hoerl ’20 Ricky Hoerl '20 Intake Coordinator -- The Bair Foundation

"There are so many different avenues with HDFS, which made me feel very prepared to enter life post-college. Overall, HDFS was very eye-opening to me. "

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Lela Fredricks ’19 Psychiatric Rehabilitation Associate, Community Services Group

The Human Development and Family Science program has equipped me so well in my field by helping me to be systems focused in my approach to problems rather than solely focusing on the individual and their present state.

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Matt Brown ’18 Prevention Coordinator in Greenville County (SC)

"HDFS gave me the skills to analyze and gain perspectives of clients/students and taught me that helping others means that you have to understand yourself first and foremost."

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Lindsay Peake ’18 Community Liaison for Home Health Care, Frederick Memorial Hospital

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Elizabeth Kemrer ’18 Permanency Specialist, The Bair Foundation

A degree in HDFS can take you to wonderful places and careers

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Verity Hwang ’18 Behavior Intervention Specialist

"The HDFS program built a foundation of knowledge of theory, a love for learning, and a perspective of working with others in a client-focused, dignifying, and holistic way.”

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Veronica Kelly ’18 Family Educator, Tri County Community Action

"We believe that parents are their children’s first and most influential teachers and we walk alongside of them through the journey of parenting.”

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Megan Leiby ’18 Educational Para-Professional, Capital Area Intermediate Unit

“I am constantly thinking about how I am serving God in the best way I can. I use my faith to better not only myself but those around me.”

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Annette Kolb ’17 Family & Consumer Sciences Teacher, Pennsbury High School

“This program prepared me for most aspects of the jobs I’ve held. The content knowledge gave me understanding of the students with whom I work and the family dynamics that affect their daily lives. Other content knowledge I learned to be able to teach others."

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Leah Wagner ’17 Records Specialist, School of Graduate Studies at Messiah College

“I feel like the Human Development and Family Science program really prepared me for my job. I regularly have the opportunity to help people and practice methods of effective communication."

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Theresa Strange ’16 Recreation Coordinator

I work at a faith-based organization. I lead prayer, bible study, and can speak openly with residents about faith. Our organization also offers counseling services for employees.

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Talia Miller ’16 Resettlement Caseworker and Housing Coordinator

"I meet so many people from different cultures and have learned so much about said cultures, probably more than I realize. Through all of my daily interactions with diversity I realize how big God is. He understands them, He cares about them, He made them, and He is using me to help them. Even though I don't speak their language or understand their culture."

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Matthew Sider ’15 Community Manager at WeWork

“I think have a deep understanding of how people function and operate has helped me on multiple levels. I now understand my members at a higher level and it helps me communicate to them and help them solve problems."

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Jacque Reahm ’15 Therapeutic Staff Support

"A large part of my faith comes into my work through prayer. There are many situations in which I cannot speak my mind openly about my faith, but because I am working so closely with some of my clients the families feel comfortable sharing more intimate parts of their life with me. Because of this, I have found myself able to pray for families, without their knowledge, which has been somewhat of a blessing for me since I don't always take the time I should to talk with God."

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Ashtin Stoner ’15 Toddler Teacher and Curriculum Coordinator

I strive to show God's grace and love through the way I interact with my children and their parents.

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Kelsea Jones ’15 High School Family and Consumer Science Teacher

"Every single one of my classes and professors nurtured, challenged, and educated me on topics that I teach about every single day."

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Kimberly Lindquist (Scheffey) ’15 Adoption Worker - Matching Specialist and Child Specific Recruitment Worker

Bethanna is a Christian organization, and we are able to talk to families about their faith and how that would impact the way a child would fit in their home. We work with families and children of all different backgrounds, so I think it is an amazing opportunity to extend love and have open conversations with everyone I work with. In addition to that, I am able to get to know many kids and families and pray for them and for opportunities to move towards their goal whether that is reunification with biological family or adoption. It's so important to stay grounded in your faith, especially when working with people in situations that stem from extreme brokenness and pain.

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Molly (Janczyk) Bruce ’15 Financial Advisor - Kingdom Focused Financial Group

HDFS integrates into so many professional areas, especially in the soft skills that aren’t often highlighted, yet are still crucial to the work environment.

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Megan Dubbs ’14 Middle School Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher

Classes in nutrition and child development prepared Dubbs well for her career as an FCS teacher. She uses projects and activities developed from those classes to engage the students in her own classroom. She says, “My 7th graders are learning about child development and getting ready to design their own playground…an assignment that I had at Messiah in Child Development.”

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Elisabeth Martin ’14 Milieu Manager

"I work at a non-profit Christian organization and we believe that it is our duty to promote hope, healing, and wholeness to the clients that we interact with. We are able to show Christ's love through our work."

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Kari Williams ’14 Family Development Specialist

I am the most thankful for the ways the HDFS department and Messiah prepared me in my faith. I have confidence that God placed me where I am to help those in need and I find that humbling. He puts each child on this earth for a reason and I love being a part of children reaching their full potential. I love the opportunities I have had to share my faith in specific scenarios as well.

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Lindsey Fye ’14 Behavioral Support Specialist

Lindsey's faith interfaces with her work in every way as she spreads Christ's love to a vulnerable population.

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Kaylene Mason ’14 Developmental Aide

"The children I work with may be too young to comprehend faith and Christianity but I can still show them Jesus' qualities of love, kindness, and patience while dealing with their sometimes frustrating behaviors."

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Ashley Ingraham ’14 Sales Representative, Method3 (Business consulting firm)

As working in the business field is not typical for most HDFS majors, landing a job with a business consulting firm was very surprising for Ashley. She decided to apply for a recruiting position with this company she found online, simply on a whim, not thinking she would even hear back. A few days later they contacted her with interest in her resume and she scheduled an interview.

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Jessica Schoenhals ’13 Life Enrichment Director

National Church Residences was founded with Christian principles in mind. While those who are employed with the company are expected to be respectful of other religions and belief systems, employees are permitted to talk about their faith. In fact, I am even allowed to lead Bible studies and sing Christian Hymns with my residents. I have found that my position lends itself very well to form close relationships with not only the residents but also their family members. Because crises and even death are encountered regularly in my position, relying on my faith has proved helpful for me as I processed experiences, and it has been a welcomed tool when comforting those who are hurting or in distress.

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Brian Fagan ’13 High School Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher

Souderton Area School District

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Paul Boyed ’13 Children's Mental Health Targeted Case Manager, Case Management Unit of Dauphin County

During his last year as an undergraduate student at Messiah, Paul worked at Shining Light Thrift Shop in Harrisburg, which functions as a clothing assistance program for individuals on fixed or low incomes. After Paul graduated, he continued his work at the thrift shop, until he started as a Therapeutic Support Staff member for PA Counseling Services, approximately three months after graduation.

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Heather Barnhart ’13 Enrichment Coordinator/ Activities Director

"My faith helps me to connect with the residents a great deal. I find that discussing their faith is one thing they enjoy the most. We hold a weekly Bible History class and every other week we have a Bible study. They also have services in our Chapel on site."

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Teagan Travis (Bohn) ’13 Family and Consumer Science Teacher, Hempfield High School

The HDFS/FCSE program gave me the well rounded education I needed to be prepared to teach under any circumstance.

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Amanda Fisher ’13 Family and Consumer Science Teacher - Central York School District

The Family and Consumer Science program prepared me well for both my career, as well as the coursework required in Graduate school. The rigorous education provided at Messiah was very beneficial, and the transition to my teaching career was smooth.

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Amanda (Seal) Gibbons ’13 Connecting Youth Engagement Manager – Carroll County Youth Service Bureau

“HDFS is rooted in the Family Systems Theory and the Family Strengths Perspective. In my position in Family Preservation I often looked towards these models as the lens to view these families in."

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Amanda Lawrence ’12 Program Developer & Volunteer Coordinator, The Modern Maturity Center, Dover, Delaware

As the Program Director, Amanda is in charge of planning and implementing the activities at The Modern Maturity Center. She seeks out different activities for the members of the senior center to enjoy, such as classes, clubs, seminars, and other fun activities. In addition, Amanda supervises the instructors who lead these activities.

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Luke Miller ’12 Youth Development Specialist, YouthHOPE

"A typical year will involve traveling throughout the world and leading these trainings with pastors, youth workers, teachers, and community workers that serve youth.”

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Stephanie Vacek ’11 Parent Educator and Home Visitor, Early Head Start

As the Early Head Start parent educator and home visitor, Stephanie lends support to low income and high-risk pregnant women, and children under the age of 3 in the community. As a grant funded program, Early Head Start accepts 12 families at a time, all of which receive one home visit from Stephanie each week.

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Ben Beachy ’10 Special Events Coordinator, HOPE International

First and foremost, Ben is passionate about promoting and fulfilling the mission and vision of HOPE International through creating event environments that lead to a deeper engagement with the work of HOPE International.

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Brittany (Kappauf) Claridge ’09 Assistant Director of Alumni and Parent Relations, Messiah College

Brittany oversees all events within the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations including the December Graduate Reception, Gym & Pool Night, regional events and Homecoming. She is also responsible for student engagement including Eyas, the Student Alumni Council.

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Tabita Vacareanu-Quashigah ’09 Dauphin County Social Services for Children and Youth Family Engagement Meetings Coordinator and Facilitator and Dauphin County Cultural Celebration Task Force Member

Tabita has two roles: one as a Family Engagement Meetings Coordinator and Facilitator and the other as a Cultural Celebration Task Force Member. The first role involves Tabita coordinating and facilitating family group conferences, safety plan meetings, pre-court meetings, blended perspective meetings as well as family engagement meetings to assist families in developing solution focused plans.

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Casey Hotlzapple ’09 Community Residential Rehabilitation Program Intake Coordinator, Pressley Ridge

The information I received regarding therapies being used to provide treatment to individuals with varies diagnosis was helpful.

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Tawny (Smay) Bernhart ’08 Pastor of Congregational Care, Christ United Methodist Church, Lansdale

With combined passions to serve families and work in ministry, Tawny found herself well prepared for the ministries that she would be involved in after graduation. She pursued further education at Duke Divinity and received her Master's in Divinity in 2011.

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Meghan (VanHine) Sensenig ’08 Medical Social Worker, Ephrata Community Hospital

Part of the excitement and fun that comes Meghan's position is that she is able to work with families who have newborns in the NICU (neo-natal intensive care unit) to older adults looking for nursing home placement. Most days are spent working with doctors, nursing staff, case managers, therapists, patients and families to coordinate a patient's discharge plan from the hospital.

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Andrea Parker ’07 Human Resources Business Partner at NASA

"Additionally, the versatility of the major has afforded me the space to pursue many different career paths from my first job as a community liaison to working in Human Resources at NASA.”

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Becky (Kuplin) Stuckey ’07 Middle School Family and Consumer Science Teacher

Cumberland Valley School District

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Sarah Daniels ’06 Housing Manager, Domestic Violence Center of Chester County

Daniels was selected for her bold advocacy for vulnerable individuals and families in the West Chester area. Following her graduation in 2006, Daniels was hired as a housing manager for the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County where she helped 14 women and their 36 children navigate paths toward self-sufficiency.

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Wesley Popp ’06 Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher at Susquenita School District

Susquenita School District

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Jason Lehman ’04 Family Development Specialist, Bethanna Christian Services

As a non-traditional student, Jason came to Messiah with a wide range of experiences including a previous undergraduate degree in Hotel/Restaurant Management from Jefferson Community College. Jason worked in restaurants, live theater, mission organizations as well as various other businesses.

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Barbara Bingham ’03 Sr. Training Coordinator - Nestle Purina PetCare

Since graduation, she has worked as a parent educator, a lead parent educator, an Instructional Designer, and is currently a Sr. Training Coordinator.

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Emily R. Hess ’01 Intelligence Analyst

"My faith allows me to have compassion and love for others. It keeps me grounded when I spend most of my work time dealing with hatred and evil."

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Judith McCrea ’01 Director of Social Services for Hamilton Heath Center

"I believe our actions are key to showing our faith. I do my best to show my faith through how I respond to crises and daily interactions. It is my hope that both my staff and the participants that we serve can see Christ's love through the passion and intent that I put into my work. I show respect to learn other's cultures, and in turn, am given opportunities to share about my own."

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Nora (Gerhard) Neidlinger Human Relations Representative, Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (Commonwealth of PA)

As a Human Relations Representative for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Nora conducts intake assessments in English and Spanish with individuals who want to file a discrimination complaint in housing, employment, education, and public accommodations related to the individual's age, sex, race, national origin, ancestry, disability, religion and/or retaliation.

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Laura (Clark) Helman Surgical Sponsorship Coordinator, CURE International

Laura is working for CURE International, she still appreciates the opportunity to work in the adoption field on a contract basis. Once per month, she leads a support group for adopted children with Bethany Christian Services, which provides the wonderful opportunity to connect with and support children and their families post-adoption.

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Kristen Reitz ’00 Adjunct Professor

My faith has had a tremendous impact upon my work. Jesus placed a great emphasis on compassion, healing, and on helping people become whole. I try to follow this example in my work. I have had the unique opportunity to help others begin the healing process, and provide them with some of the tools they need to feel whole. Now I can help equip students to do the same.

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Heather Yunkin Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher

I aim to show students every day that they are cared for and valuable. Doing the best I can to allow them a safe space to grow and develop both within my content area and just as human beings is my largest goal.

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Rachel (Schmuck) Eshbach Resource Home Coordinator, COBYS Family Services

Rachel's first job after graduation was an HR position with an in-home nursing care agency. She was responsible for reviewing applications, interviewing, and checking references of all potential employees (personal care aids, CNAs, LPNs, RNs), along with holding orientations once a week for new employees that she hired.

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Erin L. (Devine) Shaffer ’99 Child Life Specialist, Penn State Health Children's Hospital

For the past 18 years Erin L. Shaffer has made an impact on the lives of hospitalized children and families in the Child Life profession. Through the years, Erin has worked as a Child Life Specialist, providing emotional and psychosocial support to hospitalized children with both acute and chronic illnesses.

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Jennifer Hernandez ’97 Associate Clinical Director - Keystone Autism Services

"I cannot say that a specific course was most helpful but rather the culmination of all the courses established the fundamentals of families and how best to support them."

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Jen Grove ’97 Alum named NSVRC Chief Operating Officer

With a passion for prevention, Jen Grove '97 has worked in the anti-violence field her entire career. Recently promoted as the Chief Operating Officer of National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) in Enola, PA., she first learned about victim advocacy and prevention at Messiah University. "Professors invited local service providers as speakers for our classes, which was a great way for us as students to see what career possibilities were out there," said Grove. "One was from a domestic violence and sexual assault counseling center. What she shared about that work sparked my interest. Being a student at Messiah opened my eyes to a whole new world." A family studies graduate, she worked as an advocate and preventionist at local rape crisis programs before joining the NSVRC as the online resource coordinator and, later, the prevention outreach coordinator. "I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to spend so many years working directly with victims and survivors," said Grove, "because it's given me a solid foundation and an understanding of the issue that enables me to do this important work now at the national level." In her new role, Grove will manage the operations of the national center, which provides research and tools to advocates working on the frontlines to end sexual abuse, assault, and harassment. After almost 20 years of advocating for victims, Grove continues the tough but necessary work that first sparked her interest as a student. Visit nsvrc.org —Rose Talbot ’16

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Nicole Hahnlen ’97 Nurse Care Coordinator, Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital

The majority of Nicole's day is spent interacting with patients and families in the inpatient or outpatient care settings. Much of the support she provides to her patients and families is done via telephone.

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Erika Cowger Sheaffer ’96 Child Life Clinical Expert - Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

The HDFS program provided me a foundation in family science theory, development and communication skill that prepared me to work with pediatric patients and their families.

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Fabienne (Doucet) Gibson ’95 Associate Professor of Early Childhood education; Program Leader for the program in Early Childhood Education and for the program in Childhood Education in the Department of Teaching & Learning, NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development

As a Professor of Early Childhood Education at a research university, Fabienne has three primary responsibilities: teaching, researching, and service. Fabienne teaches two courses each semester, engages in research projects and writing research manuscripts, and serves on committees in her department, school, university, as well as nationally, and internationally.

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Sara (Pierce) Simon ’93 Syracuse Regional Director-Division of Child Welfare and Community Services

Sara emphasized that she must rely on God’s strength and protection while managing very traumatic case circumstances. She said, “my faith interfaces in my work by assisting me to walk in God’s grace and trusting that He will give me wisdom while faced with very difficult decisions.”

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Susan (Risden) Wesner ’92 Assistant Professor, Human Sciences Department Chair, and Director of Adjunct Faculty Services, Judson University

Susan has three distinct roles at Judson University. As an Assistant Professor, she teaches a variety of courses, oversees internships, and advises students. She also serve on several University committees to ensure compliance with assessment and curriculum standards.

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Marilyn Bellesfield ’89 Family Advocate

After graduation, Marilyn served as a full time case worker for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Inc. She developed a Sisters Plus program for teen mothers, matching each with a mentor/Big Sister to help them and to be a support. She also designed a brochure and worked with the Harrisburg School District to get referrals.

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Lenelle (Nesta) Roberts ’82 Regional Nutrition Links Coordinator for Penn State Extension

It's not possible to call yourself a Christian and not call upon Christian principles to guide you through your day. We need to respond to a plethora of situations in a Godly fashion - dealing with a difficult coworker, extending grace to employees who stretch the rules, being patient with a demanding public audience, etc.

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Lois Mitten Rosenberry ’70 President and CEO of Children's Discovery Center

Mrs. Rosenberry holds a BA degree in Behavioral Science from Messiah College, Grantham, PA

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