Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS, FSMD, GERO, HDFS, HOSP)

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The School of Family and Consumer Sciences prepares professionals who support families and individuals in meeting their basic human needs. The programs are based on an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on the behavioral sciences, natural sciences, and the humanities. Students learn theories and their application to professions in nonprofit organizations, private practice, government, education, and business. Graduates have the necessary foundation for a career as well as further study.

School Requirement 

The student must be in good standing at NIU to declare a major or premajor in the School of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Policy on Dismissal

University policy requires that students be informed of the possibility of being dismissed from practicums, internships, and early field experiences. In the School of Family and Consumer Sciences, such a possibility exists in FSMD 256, FSMD 356, FSMD 474, HDFS 293, HDFS 294, HDFS 393, HDFS 394, HDFS 398, HDFS 491, HDFS 490, HDFS 493, HOSP 296, HOSP 495, HOSP 396. A statement of grounds for dismissal is available from the coordinator of each internship.

The School of Family and Consumer Sciences standards committee may review a student who displays behavior that threatens the health and/or safety of others in settings such as a major class, practicum, internship, or school-related activity.

Recommendation

Students who plan to major in a program offered by the School of Family and Consumer Sciences should take chemistry and biology in high school.

Minors

Prospective minors should consult with the school’s undergraduate academic adviser so the school may plan to accommodate students in required courses. These minors are not open to students majoring in a program offered by the School of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Family and Consumer Sciences Faculty

Thomas Pavkov, Ph.D., Northwestern University, professor, chair
Julie Boggess. MPA, Roosevelt University, interim director of gerontology
Susan P. Bowers, Ph.D., Ohio State University, associate professor
Sarah L. Cosbey, Ph.D., Iowa State University, associate professor
Shi-Ruei Sherry Fang, Ph.D., Michigan State University, professor
Bryan Flower, M.S., Robert Morris University, Chicago, supportive professional staff
DeAnna Harris-McKoy, Ph.D., Florida State University, associate professor
Lindsey Hawkins, Ph.D., Texas Tech University, assistant professor
Kristina Hayward, M.S., Northern Illinois University, supportive professional staff
Nicholas Hryhorczuk, Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, assistant professor
Hyun-Mee Joung, Ph.D., Iowa State University, associate professor
Lan Li, Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, professor
Xiaohui (Sophie) Li, Ph.D., University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, associate professor
Amy Lofthouse, M.S., Northern Illinois University, supportive professional staff
MaryAnn Lorenz, M.F.A, Academy of Art University, clinical assistant professor
Yujun Liu, Ph.D., Virginia Tech, assistant professor 
Bette Montgomery, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, associate professor
Eunha Myung, Ph.D., University of Nevada-Las Vegas, professor
Kendra Nenia, M.S., Northern Illinois University, instructor
Sherri Newman, B.S., Northern Illinois University, supportive professional staff
Jane Rose Njue, Ph.D., Iowa State University, associate professor
Dahlia Roman, M.S.W., Aurora University, instructor 
Ecila Scaife, B.S., Northern Illinois University, supportive professional staff
Kristin Schulz, M.S., Northern Illinois University, director of CDFC
Lin Shi, Ph.D., Texas Tech University, professor
D. Scott Sibley, Ph.D., Kansas State University, assistant professor
Florensia Flora Surjadi, Ph.D., Iowa State University, associate professor
Natalia Vinokur, M.S., Northern Illinois University, director of CFTC
Melissa Walter, Ph.D., Iowa State, assistant professor
Charline Xie, Ph.D., University of Nebraska at Lincoln, professor

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