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.
Upcoming Events
Russel B. Swensen Lecture
1060 HBLL
Office of Civic Engagement Open House
Celebrate our new space with us! The Office of Civic Engagement has moved into 1059 JFSB, and we’d love for you to stop by our open house. Come check out the new office, meet our team, and enjoy treats, swag, and fun giveaways. We hope you’ll drop in and celebrate with us!
Mentored Student Research Conference
All undergraduate and graduate students conducting research with a faculty mentor in the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences are invited to participate in this half-day poster conference each semester. The conference is funded by the Mary Lou Fulton endowed chair.
Poster Submission Deadline: Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 2:00 pm.
WSC Ballroom
Dean's Office Directory
Admin Support Staff
Dean & Associate Deans
Assistant Deans
Student Employees
Other Offices
Danny Damron
Assistant Dean
Experiential Learning &
Professional Development
1049U JFSB
(801) 422-2168
danny_damron@byu.edu
Experiential Learning &
Professional Development
1049U JFSB
(801) 422-2168
danny_damron@byu.edu
Joseph Olsen
Assistant Dean
Director of Information Technology and the FHSS Research Support Center
930 KMBL
(801) 422-6296
joseph_olsen@byu.edu
Director of Information Technology and the FHSS Research Support Center
930 KMBL
(801) 422-6296
joseph_olsen@byu.edu
Sherami Jara
Assistant Dean
Director, Liberal Arts Advisement & Careers
1049F JFSB
(801) 422-0983
sherami_jara@byu.edu
Director, Liberal Arts Advisement & Careers
1049F JFSB
(801) 422-0983
sherami_jara@byu.edu
The World in Conversation
Can trees speak? And, if so, what are they saying? Anthropology graduate student Meri Lesovska explored how people interpret communication from the natural world and earned first place in the anthropology category at the Mary Lou Fulton Mentored Student Research Conference.
Behind the Heart Eyes
Before you blame the dating pool, ask yourself what you believe about marriage. A School of Family Life graduate student found that beliefs about marriage at age 19 were tied to relationship stability five years later.
C-SPAN Airs Lecture on Capitalism from BYU History Professor
Understanding history requires nuance over nostalgia, an enduring theme of Professor Grant Madsen’s lecture on Reaganomics.
Before the Buildings
A pair of student archaeology researchers recently uncovered forgotten burial sites beneath BYU. What began as an investigation in the archives has blossomed into a vital conversation about how we remember those who have passed.
College Lecture Series
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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
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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Martin B. Hickman Belonging
The Hickman Belonging Lecture is presented annually by a faculty member who received the Hickman Belonging 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.