Graduate Students
Jill Bowers
- Currently working on PHD in Human & Community Development
Advisors: Aaron Ebata and Angela Wiley
Professional/Research Interests:
My research interests and experience include after-school programming for adolescents with a specific focus on interpersonal skills (character education, healthy relationships and decision making). I have worked with Drs. Ebata and Wiley and Extension Educators on projects that include: Relationship Smarts (curriculum for adolescents); Divorce Education, specifically online education programming; Balancing Work and Family Life (Intentional Harmony Program); and online Family Life Education Programming (Parenting 24/7 and Just in Time Parenting).
I am a Certified Family Life Educator and involved in The National Council on Family Relations and am a member of the Executive Board for The Illinois Council on Family Relations. I am also certified in Family and Consumer Sciences and a member of The American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences and The Illinois Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. Other professional interests and involvement include: Board of Directors for HOPE (Housing, Outreach, Prevention, and Education of Domestic Violence) of East Central Illinois, Bridges Out of Poverty Trainer, and reviewer for Personal Relationships Journal.
Honors and Awards: HCD Clareta Walker Fellowship
Assistantships held as a Graduate Student at Illinois:Research Assistant for Aaron Ebata (Parenting 24/7, Just in Time Parenting, Relationship Smarts) and Angela Wiley (Intentional Harmony).
As a graduate student in HDFS, I feel that UIUC has been a great fit for my academic and career goals. I have enjoyed the applied nature of the work I do through my assistantship, and the HCD faculty have been very supportive of my goals in a variety of ways. I feel that I have gained many new friendships and life-long connections through this experience.
I chose Illinois because of the curriculum, opportunities, and faculty interests. Thus far, it has been everything it appeared to be, and I am glad I made the choice.
I have published the following works:
Simpson, L., Taylor, L., O’Rourke, K, & Bowers, J. Get outta my way: An analysis of shopping behavior on Black Friday. Manuscript in preparation.
Bowers, J. & Spencer, K. (2007). Sustainability gives new meaning to greening. Spring 2007 issue of the Journal of Green Building, Glen Sloan-Allen - VA: College Publishing.
Rennels (Bowers), J. (2006). Don’t turn the other cheek: Power and control of domestic violence education. Eastern Journal, 35, pp. 65-68
Hometown: Charleston, Illinois
Hobbies: I enjoy hanging out with my family (husband and 6 year old daughter); playing piano; watching movies (comedy)
Fun Fact: I flew with American Airlines for 3 years (lived in New York and Chicago while traveling domestically and meeting a lot of interesting people).