Amy Root
College of Applied Human Sciences
“I was a first-generation college student, so I was a little lost when I started. As a psychology undergraduate, I volunteered in a child development research lab at the University of Maryland and fell in love with research and the field of human development.
“From there, I decided to pursue a graduate degree in human development.”
Amy tries to foster a collaborative learning environment in her classes, through discussions and group work.
“I also want students to get to know me, so I offer video announcements and weekly messages, which seem to help, even when we don’t have synchronous meetings. I also schedule individual check-ins with students throughout the semester, especially in the upper-level courses.”
She says Child Development and Family Studies (CDFS) is an interdisciplinary field, as well as an applied field.
“I really think students who want to help others in direct or indirect ways, will find CDFS a good fit for their career goals. Our program offers hands-on experiences early in the program, which is helpful in allowing students to get their feet wet in the field. This is often when students realize they have a passion for this area of study.”