Culture, families, and human development
Understanding the differences between one's own culture and the cultures of others to effectively connect, teach, and help.Understanding the differences between one's own culture and the cultures of others to effectively connect, teach, and help. This research may also explore Indigenous perspectives and approaches to knowledge-building and deconstructing colonial ideologies of the superiority and privilege of Western thought and approaches.
Ronald Asiimwe, PhD Ronald Asiimwe, PhD
- Assistant Professor, Couple & Family Therapy Specialization
- asiim004@umn.edu
Dr. A grew up in Uganda, Africa and moved to the US in 2016 to study Couple and Family Therapy (CFT). He has research and clinical experience practicing in both the U.S. and in his home country of Uganda.
Sara Axtell Sara Axtell
- Senior Lecturer and Faculty-at-Large, Cultural Wellness Center
- she, her, hers
- 612-625-0252
- axtel002@umn.edu
Axtell is the recipient of a 2023 University of Minnesota Outstanding Community Service Award . Much of my work focuses on developing mutually beneficial, authentic collaborations between the university and communities.
Chalandra Bryant Chalandra Bryant
- Professor and Dr. Pauline Boss Professorship in Ambiguous Loss
- 612-625-1900
- cmbryant@umn.edu
Bryant joined the UMN faculty in 2020 and currently serves as the FSoS Director of Research.
Chansophal Mak Chansophal Mak
- Post-Doctoral Associate
- She/Her/Hers
- cmak@umn.edu
Chansophal Mak (Sophal) is originally from Cambodia. She received her PhD in Human Development and Family Science with emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Georgia in Spring 2023.
Michelle Pasco Michelle Pasco
- Assistant Professor
- she/her/hers
- mpasco@umn.edu
Michelle Pasco received a PhD in Family and Human Development at Arizona State University and before joining the University of Minnesota was a Postdoctoral Research Scholar working on the Arizona Youth Identity Project.
Avelina Rivero Avelina Rivero
- Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist
- Ella/she/her/hers
- river896@umn.edu
Rivero is an assistant professor and extension specialist in the Department of Family Social Science.
Kay Simon Kay Simon
- Assistant Professor
- they/them/theirs
- simo1253@umn.edu
Kay A. Simon joins the University of Minnesota following a postdoctoral research fellow appointment at the University of Connecticut (UCONN) working with Drs. Ryan Watson and Lisa Eaton.
Catherine Solheim Catherine Solheim
- Professor and Director of Graduate Studies
- she/her/hers
- 612-625-1201
- csolheim@umn.edu
Zha Blong Xiong Zha Blong Xiong
- Associate Professor
- 612-625-5882
- xiong008@umn.edu
My primary research interests focus on the social and cultural capital that promotes (or hinders) healthy development in children, especially with children of immigrant and refugee families.
Virginia Solis Zuiker Virginia Solis Zuiker
- Associate Professor, AFC Supervising Faculty, and Department Honors Faculty Representative
- she/her/ella
- 612-625-4225
- vzuiker@umn.edu
Virginia Solis Zuiker, an associate professor, joined the FSOS faculty in 1996 and teaches courses around individuals and family finance and counseling and conducts research on financial socialization of college students and how family businesses…
