Graduate Students
COLLEEN GIBBONS
- BS in Education from State University of New York College at Buffalo (2001)
- M.S. in Human and Community Development from University of Illinois (2009)
- Currently working on Ph.D. in Human & Community Development
Advisor: Dr. Brent McBride, Dr. Reed Larson
Professional/Research Interests: My general research interests include the areas of adolescence and disability studies. In my future research I would like to look at youth with physical disability and their participation in general youth programs (i.e. programs that aren’t specifically targeting individuals with disabilities). I am very interested in the socialization that occurs in such programs and the benefits that youth derive from participation.
Honors and Awards: Jonathan Baldwin Turner Fellow (2006-2009)
Assistantships held as a Graduate Student at Illinois:
Research Assistant with Dr. Brent McBride (supervising the Developmental Assessment Project) Research Assistant with Dr. Reed Larson (The Youth Development Experience)
Research Assistant with Dr. Aaron Ebata and Dr. Cheryl Light Shriner (The Autism Program)
As a graduate student in HDFS, I appreciate the welcoming environment within the department, the university, and the community as a whole. Our department has world-renowned scholars who are accessible and solicit student opinions on a regular basis, which makes a warm, caring atmosphere in which graduate students can thrive. At the same time, expectations are high, and graduate students are expected to become scholars and experts in our respective fields.
What I like best about Illinois are the constant opportunities to be involved and active within the department and the greater Champaign-Urbana community.
Professional memberships:
Society for Research on Adolescence
National Council on Family Relations
Council on Exceptional Children
Illinois Student Council on Family Relations
University Service:
Human and Community Development Graduate Student Organization (2008-present)
McKinley Health Center Advisory Board (2009-present)
Graduate College Student Advisory Committee (2008-present)
INTERLINK Mentor (2007-2009)
Childcare Resource Services Quality Counts Child Care Mini Grant Reviewer (2007, 2008)
Graduate Educational Policy Committee, College of ACES (2007-2008)
Hometown: Baldwinsville, NY
Hobbies: I enjoy baking, playing tennis, and goat cheese salads from Seven Saints.
Fun Fact:I drove through 16 states in the summer of 2009.