CSU Human Development & Family Studies

Congratulations to outstanding grad, Beatriz Arenas!

Beatriz is a graduate in Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in Design Thinking at the Richardson Design Center. She's made it through lots of change and health issues and come out on top.

Congratulations, Beatriz! We can't wait to see what you do next!

Read more about Beatriz:
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🎓Meet outstanding grad, Nick Bell 💚💛

A Fort Collins native, Nick always knew he wanted to be a therapist. He started his college journey by choosing a major that didn’t involve algebra, and that decision led him exactly where he was meant to be: Human Development and Family Studies.

After experiencing a tragic loss at a young age, Nick felt called to become a grief counselor. Through HDFS, he’s been able to turn that purpose into progress.

Nick is deeply involved across campus, serving with Campus Connections, the HEART Lab, Grieving Rams, the SAFE Center Victim Assistance Team, and 3 Hopeful Hearts. Along the way, he maintained an impressive 4.0 GPA throughout his entire undergraduate career.

Up next, Nick will continue his journey in the Marriage & Family Therapy master’s program in the HDFS department at CSU—furthering his commitment to helping others heal.

👏 Congratulations, Nick. Your CSU community is proud of you, and we can’t wait to see what you do next. 🐏

Congratulations to Miranda Pinks, a doctoral student in Applied Development Science in Human Development and Family Studies! Miranda was selected as the UDP Graduate Scholarship recipient. We're celebrating her work as both a scholar and her many contributions to the Developmental Disabilities Research Laboratory!

The Developmental Disabilities Research Laboratory has conducted research for 25 years! Thank you to the families, students, collaborators, and community partners who have shaped this work over the years!

The DD Lab launched in 2001 and has grown into a vibrant, collaborative, national and cross-national effort focused on supporting individuals with developmental disabilities through research, innovation, and inclusive programs.

The lab has been a part of projects like EXPO, CAPEabilities, OPTImal, the Birthday Study, and so much more. Team members like Miranda have made this work possible. Congrats, Miranda!

This past weekend, Myah Luther, Lena Byrne, and Evelyn Park represented the College of Health and Human Sciences as Dean’s Ambassadors at the Special Olympics!

For Evelyn, building connections within the community was the highlight of the experience, and it’s one they’re eager to repeat next year.

Proud of our students for showing up, giving back, and leading with heart. 💚💛