Alumni
Caroline Homan, PhD
Graduate December 2025
Employment at time of Graduation Independent Consultant
Research interests Wellbeing promotion, particularly in rural areas and among farmers and ranchers
Faculty Advisor Dr. Joel Hektner
Bryce Van Vleet, PhD
Graduated May 2025
Employment at time of Graduation Assistant Professor, Eastern Mennonite University
Research interests Broadly concerned with interpersonal dynamics and resilience in rural families and communities. I am also interested in immigration, migration from urban to rural environments, and isolation.
Faculty Advisor Dr. Heather Fuller
Shawn Carlson, PhD
Graduated: August, 2023
Employment at time of graduation Postdoctoral Research Associate in Human Development and Family Science at Purdue University
Shawn's research interests while in DS program Socioemotional development in children, self-regulation, executive function, developmental psychopathology, school-based interventions, and optimal child development.
DS faculty advisor Dr. Joel Hektner
Emma Johnson, PhD
Graduated May, 2022
Employment at time of graduation Assistant Professor, Division of Counseling and Psychology in Education at the University of South Dakota
Emma's research interests while in DS program Body image and eating disorders within family systems. Specifically, sibling influences on the development of body dissatisfaction, and trends of the 'ideal' female body.
DS faculty advisor Dr. Heather Fuller
Research Supervisor Dr. Beth Blodgett-Salafia
Savanna Westrom Sanders, Ph.D.
Graduated May, 2021
Employment at time of graduation Assistant Professor, Psychology Department, University of Minnesota, Duluth
Savanna's research interests while in DS program Infant development
DS faculty advisor Dr. Sean Brotherson
Maegan Jones, Ph.D.
Graduated December, 2019
Employment at time of graduation Visiting Assistant Professor at St. Cloud State University
Current position Assistant Professor at St. Cloud State University
Maegan's research interests while in DS program I researched eating disorders and body image, more broadly speaking. Specifically, I looked at what can be done in childhood to prevent the development of eating disorders in the future.
DS faculty advisor Dr. Elizabeth Blodgett Salafia
Courage Chikomborero Mudzongo, Ph.D.
Graduated August, 2017
Employment at time of graduation Warner Pacific College, Portland, OR
Current Position Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology at George Fox University, Newberg, OR
Courage's research interests while in DS program Adolescents’ and Young Adults’ Sexual Behavior, with a focus on STIs and Teen Pregnancy; Contexts—Community, School and Religion; Youth Development; International Development; Faith Based Development; Overseas Mission Trips.
DS Faculty Advisor Dr. Brandy Randall
Alison Brennan, Ph.D.
Graduated December 2016
Employment at time of graduation Cass County Extension Services in Fargo; post-doctoral research associate for Michgan State University
Current Position Extension Specialist at Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
Alison's research interests while in the DS program Program evaluation, particularly evaluation of parent training programs and prevention programs for adolescents; adolescent and emerging adult media use, body image, and sexuality.
DS faculty advisor Dr. Elizabeth Blodgett Salafia
Teri Undem, PhD
Graduate December 2025
Employment at time of Graduation Senior Lecturer and Director of Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience, School of Pharmacy, North Dakota State University
Research interests Wellbeing, lifestyle medicine, professionalism, rural pharmacy
Faculty Advisor Dr. Heather Fuller
Emily Kinkade, PhD
Graduate August 2024
Employment at time of Graduation Extension Evaluation Specialist, North Dakota State University
Research interests Ageism, how attitudes toward aging can be changed, healthy aging, physical and mental well-being in older adulthood, and intergenerational relationships
Faculty Advisor Dr. Heather Fuller
Kerrie Leonard, PhD
Graduated: December 2022
Employment at time of graduation Equity & Inclusion Program Director for the State of Indiana Dept. of Transportation
Kerrie's research interests while in DS program: Body image and self-esteem and how that intersects with multiracial identities of adolescents
DS faculty advisor Dr. Heather Fuller
Research Supervisor Dr. Beth Blodgett-Salafia
Vimbayi Chinopfukutwa, PhD
Graduated May, 2021
Employment at time of graduation Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology, College of St Benedict/St John's University
Vimbayi's research interests while in DS program My research interests include positive and problem behaviors in adolescents’ development and ways of enriching their lives.
DS faculty advisor Dr. Joel Hektner
"The NDSU developmental Science Ph.D. program is closely knit which allows students to work together and help each other advance in their careers in the process."
Jonix Owino, Ph.D.
Graduated May, 2021
Employment at time of graduation Assistant Professor, Psychology Department, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT
Jonix's research interests while in DS program Integration of new American families/ refugees, Migration, Social Isolation and cultural dynamics as well as Immigration processes.
DS faculty advisor Dr. Heather Fuller
Masahiro Toyama, Ph.D.
Graduated December, 2019
Employment at time of graduation Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology at Graceland University, Lamoni, IA
Current Position Assistant Professor of Psychology, Marshall University, Huntington, WV
Masa's research interests while in DS program Adult development, aging, well-being, and psychosocial and cultural factors affecting aging and well-being.
DS faculty advisor Dr. Heather Fuller
Jennifer Wenner, Ph.D.
Graduated May 2017
Employment at time of graduation Quality and Evaluation Coordinator, YMCA Metro, Chicago, IL
Current Position Senior Research Associate at the Center for Program Design and Evaluation, Dartmouth College
Jennifer's research interests while in DS program Program implementation and evaluation; how positive and problem behaviors develop in adolescents, the contexts in which they develop, and how these affect adolescent development.
DS Faculty Advisor Dr. Brandy Randall
Tara Zolnikov, Ph.D.
Graduated May 2015
Employment at time of graduation Assistant Professor at National University, San Diego, CA
Current Position Assistant Professor at National University, San Diego, CA
DS faculty advisor Dr. Elizabeth Blodgett Salafia