Department of Human & Community Development, University of Illinois

                                                                                                           
                    

Graduate Students


Jennifer M. Engle

  • BS in Psychology from University of Tennessee (2004)
  • MS in HDFS from University of Illinois (2007)
  • Currently working on my PHD in Human & Community Development

Advisor: Nancy McElwain

Professional/Research Interests: Social and emotional development in toddler and preschool-age children, emotion regulation and co-regulation, prevention and intervention programming for young children and parents

Honors and Awards: Jonathan Baldwin Turner Fellowship, Pampered Chef Family Resiliency Program Fellowship, Susan Kahl Funkhouser Leadership Development Award, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (Honorable Mention)

Assistantships held as a Graduate Student at Illinois: Research Assistant for Nancy McElwain (Children's Social Development Project), Research Assistant for Laurie Kramer (More Fun with Brothers and Sisters Program), Teaching Assistant for Joseph Pleck (HDFS 401 - Socialization and Development), Teaching Assistant for Brent McBride (HDFS 301 - Infancy and Early Childhood)

I chose Illinois because I really liked the faculty and the other students. The program is strong and the department as a whole has a focus on community involvement and outreach, which I think is important.

As an HCD graduate student I feel very lucky to be in such a great department. The faculty have all been very supportive of me in everything I have wanted to do, and really want students to succeed and do well.

What I like best about Illinois is the community. Even though the university is in a small town, there is plenty for students to do for fun. I was pleasantly surprised by the great local restaurants, libraries, theatres, and shops.

I am professionally involved in The Society for Research in Child Development, The National Council on Family Relations, and The Illinois Student Council on Family Relations

Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee

Hobbies: Listening to music, watching movies, watching football, photography, and reading when I'm not too overwhelmed by required readings for class!

Fun Fact: I love musicals and was in musical productions at my junior high school in 7th and 8th grade.