Current Students

Doctoral Students

Emily Koochel

M.S., Family Studies and Human Services, Kansas State University

M.S., Personal Financial Planning, Texas Tech University

B.S., Personal Financial Planning, Kansas State University

Hometown: Great Bend, Kansas

Professional Interests: Financial transparency and financial management strategies as it relates to marital satisfaction, premarital financial counseling and financial disclosure as predictors of marital dissolution, money personalities and mate selection

Co-Major Professors: Dr. Mindy Markham and Dr. Sonya Britt-Lutter

Personal Interests: spending time with family and friends; traveling; and being active through cycling, yoga, Pilates; and cheering on the Cats! 

"I am research driven to improve the lives of families; if we improve the lives of one, we have the power to improve the lives of all."  

 

Jessie Piper

M.S., Family Studies and Human Services, Kansas State University

B.S., Psychology and Communication Studies, Kansas State University

Hometown: Rozel, Kansas

Professional Interests: Grandparents raising grandchildren, Family Life Education as a resource for grandfamilies, grandparenthood

Co-Major Professors: Dr. Mindy Markham and Dr. Erin Yelland

Personal Interests: CrossFit and Olympic Weightlifting, riding dirt bikes and other off-road vehicles

"KSU's small-town, family feel is the reason I have stayed since 2007 and why I will continue to do so after we have a family."

 

Hilary D. Pippert

M.S., Marriage, Family, & Human Development, Brigham Young University

B.S., Family Life, Brigham Young University

Hometown: Parker, Colorado

Professional Interests: family processes, religion and family relationships

Co-Major Professors: Dr. Anthony Ferraro and Dr. Mindy Markham

Personal Interests: hiking, reading, jogging, time with family, cross-stitching

"The faculty really care about their students and are willing to work with you to make sure you get the best education you personally need and want to reach your professional goals."

 

Morgan Rakestraw

M.S., Sport and Leisure Management, University of Nevada - Las Vegas

B.S., Athletic Training, Kansas State University

Hometown: Bakersfield, California

Professional Interests: Family dynamics in youth sport, empathy in athletic training, parent and family communication in athletic training

Major Professor: Dr. Mindy Markham

Personal Interests: hanging out with my two daughters, Ellis (3) and Beckett (16 months), and wife, Jess; being at home in the country near Rossville, KS with our numerous pets; and traveling

"Don't let anything stop you from pursuing your goals; I am a mother of three girls under 4 and work full-time out of town. My process may not look like everyone else's, but it works for my family and me." 

 

Renee Wilkins-Clark

M.S., Family Studies and Human Services with Specialization in Applied Family Science, Kansas State University

B.S., Family Studies and Human Services, Kansas State University

Hometown: Brownsville, Tennessee

Professional Interests: Family dynamics, sibling relationships, and relationships within military families

Temporary Advisor: Dr. Duane Crawford

Personal Interests: creative planning, playing board games, reading, and learning random facts

"The experience that you gain at Kansas State University is like no other. The concept of family is not something that is simply stated, but actively demonstrated." 

 

Master's Students

Shelby Astle

B.S., Family Life, Brigham Young University

Hometown: Las Vegas, NV

Professional Interests: Human sexuality, parenting, family life education, emerging adulthood

Temporary Advisor: Dr. Michelle Toews

Personal Interests: Corgis, minimalism, intentional living, swimming, travel

"K-State is one of those amazing places where research comes to life to make a real difference in real families."

 

Kaylee Goss

B.S., Family Studies and Human Services, Kansas State University

Hometown: Garden City, KS

Professional Interests: Program development, Extension

Temporary Advisor: Dr. Erin Yelland

Personal Interests: Spending time with my family and friends, exploring Manhattan, and watching movies with my husband and cat

"K-State has so many different opportunities and ways to become involved. The faculty in the AFS program strive to get to know you and your interests to help you succeed." 

 

Cheyenne Menzies

B.S., Psychology and Family Studies, Kansas State University

Hometown: Salina, Kansas

Professional Interests: Premarital and marital relationships

Major Professor: Dr. Duane Crawford

Personal Interests: dogs, Netflix, memes, hanging out with friends, and making people laugh

"The Applied Family Science program has a collective, family feel - where all students and faculty members provide encouragement and support to one another." 

 

Katie Stunkel

B.S., Family Studies and Human Services, Kansas State University

Hometown: Manhattan, Kansas

Professional Interests: Youth development, adolescence, resiliency, environmental protective factors, families in poverty, and volunteer management

Major Professor: Dr. Elaine Johannes

Personal Interests: National Job Corps Program

"Kansas State University, the School of Family Studies and Human Services, and my major professors have made my educational experience amazing and extremely individualized. Working full-time and attending graduate school can be challenging at times. Every single one of my professors has shown me such grace and support throughout the last few years. My major professors continue to encourage, guide, and hold me accountable to ensure I reach my academic goals. The advocacy and support has made my experience at Kansas State University invaluable."

 

Aaren Sunderman

B.S., Family Studies and Human Services, Kansas State University

Hometown: Paducah, Kentucky

Professional Interests: Farm families

Major Professor: Dr. Elaine Johannes

Personal Interests: cows, bow hunting, fishing, movies

"The Applied Family Science faculty treat you like family. Everyone knows who you are and calls you by name. I like having the type of relationship with the faculty where I can walk into their offices at any time and talk to them about academics or daily life."

 

Zijun Wu

B.S., Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University

M.S., Meterology, Lanzhou University

Hometown: Lanzhou, China

Professional Interests: Healthy communication between family members

Temporary Advisor: Dr. Mindy Markham

Personal Interests: Reading, watching movies, playing piano, and being together with family, friends, and pets.

"It is a pleasure to study with the wonderful faculty in the Applied Family Science program at Kansas State University. Although I am far from home, I truly believe the time I spend at K-State will be meaningful to my life and future goals."

 

Jing You

B.S., Industrial Design, Fuzhou University

Hometown: Xiamen, Fujian, China

Professional Interests: Religion and family relationships, premarital and marital education, parenting, sexuality education for children

Major Professor: Dr. Erin Yelland

Personal Interests: Spending time with family, church and spiritual growth, arts, and traveling

"I find encouragement and confidence from the friendly faculty and the supportive academic atmosphere in the Applied Family Science program. It is truly a family, and is preparing me to be a successful practitioner." 

 

McKenzie Zimmermann

B.S. Family Studies & Human Services, Kansas State University

Certificate in Conflict Resolution

Hometown: Junction City, Kansas

Professional Interests: Co-parenting, program development, father identity and roles, and father engagement

Temporary Advisor: Dr. Anthony Ferraro