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About Us

Our Vision

Together, we build the beloved community of Zion by empowering individuals to strengthen hearts, families, relationships, and societies.

Our Mission

As disciples of Jesus Christ, we in the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences work to foster a deep and broad understanding of humankind. We are committed to equipping students with tools and methods to pursue truth and to solve complicated global issues from a foundation of faith. We educate students to recognize and value both diversity and unity, with the purpose of promoting the dignity and divine nature of all of God’s children. We do this by expanding knowledge and understanding; modeling curiosity and love of learning; providing challenging and faith building experiences both inside and outside the classroom; applying careful analysis and rigorous methods to hard questions; and encouraging students, faculty, and staff to be engaged and compassionate citizens. We acknowledge God will yet reveal many great and important things, and we faithfully seek after these truths.

Dean's Office Directory
Admin Support Staff
Dean & Associate Deans
Assistant Deans
Student Employees
Other Offices

Rachel Dial

Assistant to the Dean & College Events Manager

990F KMBL
(801) 422-1355
rachel_dial@byu.edu
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Open Position

Office Manager

990 KMBL
(801) 422-0808

Kathleen Reyes

Program Manager
Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging

946 KMBL
(801) 422-3819
kathleen_reyes@byu.edu

Laura Padilla-Walker

Dean
Professor of Family Life

990-C KMBL
(801) 422-2083
laura_walker@byu.edu

Mikaela Dufur

Associate Dean
Faculty
Professor of Sociology

990D KMBL
(801) 422-1720
mikaela_dufur@byu.edu

Jeffery Nokes

Associate Dean
Students
Professor of History

990Q KMBL
(801) 422-7520
jeff_nokes@byu.edu

Niwako Yamawaki

Associate Dean
Belonging
Professor of Psychology

990A KMBL
(801) 422-8053
niwako_yamawaki@byu.edu

Danny Damron

Assistant Dean
Experiential Learning &
Professional Development

945 KMBL
(801) 422-2168
danny_damron@byu.edu

Jordan Karpowitz

Assistant Dean
Communications & External Relations

946 KMBL
(801) 422-1320
jordan_karpowitz@byu.edu

Joseph Olsen

Assistant Dean
Director of Information Technology and the FHSS Research Support Center

922 KMBL
(801) 422-6296
joseph_olsen@byu.edu

Computing Services

https://fhsscomputing.byu.edu/

Front Office
382 KMBL
(801) 422-7415
fhsscomputing@byu.edu

Amy Lilly (Front Office)
382 KMBL
(801) 422-8125
amy_lilly@byu.edu

Ken Millard (Web Services)
385 KMBL
(801) 422-3586
ken_millard@byu.edu

Stephanie Ollerton (Video Team)
382 KMBL
(801) 422-2477
stephanie_ollerton@byu.edu

Nathan Bench (System Administration)
388 KMBL
(801) 422-6466
nate@byu.edu

Tom Pittman (Databases, Teaching, & Learning)
386 KMBL
(801) 422-0519
tom.pittman@byu.edu

Gary Glade (Desktop Support Manager)
366A KMBL
(801) 422-2878
gary_glade@byu.edu

College Lecture Series

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Martin B. Hickman

The Hickman Lecture is presented annually by a faculty member who received the Martin B. Hickman Scholar Award for being a distinguished faculty member whose professional contributions to the college emulate excellence. The 2022-23 award recipient is Dr. Matt Bekker in the Department of Geography.
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Alumni Achievement

Brigham Young University graduates with significant professional accomplishments from each college are honored with Alumni Achievement Awards during Homecoming. The honorees each give a lecture that is targeted towards students, but is open to the public. The following are lectures from FHSS Alumni Achievement Award recipients.
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Virginia F. Cutler

This lecture series is named after Virginia F. Cutler, former dean of the College of Family Living (now the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences). Dr. Cutler spent her entire life educating people on the home and family. She also cared deeply about women and people in other nations, and her career took her across the globe as she served people in Thailand, Indonesia and Ghana.
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Marjorie P. Hinckley

The Marjorie Pay Hinckley Endowed Chair in Social Work and the Social Sciences honors Sister Hinckley's commitment to strengthening home and family. The Chair enriches the educational and professional lives of students and faculty in the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences as they strive to alleviate problems faced by individuals and families worldwide.
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Martin B. Hickman Diversity and Inclusion

The Hickman Diversity & Inclusion Lecture is presented annually by a faculty member who received the Hickman Diversity, Collaboration, and Inclusion Award based on their research, teaching, and citizenship in the area of diversity and inclusion. The 2022–23 award recipient is Dr. Leslie Hadfield in the Department of History.
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Picture a Social Scientist

To promote feelings of belonging, the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences is hosting monthly “Picture a Social Scientist” events that will feature inspiring social science professionals students can relate to.
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Endowed Chairs

Mary Lou Fulton

The Fulton Chair supports causes and programs that uphold and strengthen the family unit. Mary Lou was particularly sensitive to helping others remain free of addictive substances or crippling afflictions that limit their possibilities in life. She understood the importance of preparing future families for success by educating youth about principles that foster strong, eternal family relationships. The Mary Lou Fulton Chair in the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences stands as a tribute to her life of service, to high values, and to family.

Marjorie Pay Hinckley

The Marjorie Pay Hinckley Endowed Chair in Social Work and the Social Sciences honors Sister Hinckley's commitment to strengthening home and family. The Chair enriches the educational and professional lives of students and faculty in the College of Family Home and Social Sciences as they strive to alleviate problems faced by individuals and families worldwide.

Lemuel Hardison Redd, Jr.

The Lemuel Hardison Redd, Jr. Chair in Western American history was established in 1972 by Charles and Annaley Redd, prominent Utah ranchers and philanthropists, to promote and honor research, publication and teaching in western American history. The chair was named in honor of the father of Charlie Redd, who settled and developed Latter-day Saint communities in the slickrock desert of southeastern Utah and established a sprawling livestock empire.