At Samford University’s Orlean Beeson School of Education, the Department of Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) is bridging the gap between academia and community by forging partnerships that not only enhance student learning but also improve lives across Birmingham and beyond. Through hands-on experience and collaboration with local organizations, students are preparing for careers in law, social work, divinity, business, nonprofit work, public health and more.
The department boasts more than 25 partnerships with entities ranging from for-profit businesses, nonprofit organizations, churches and community groups. A hallmark of these programs is the art of matching students’ passions with applied experiential opportunity, developing tailor-made internships for Samford’s students.
"Our partnerships provide students with practical, hands-on experience that enhances their academic learning," said Celeste Hill, an HDFS professor. "Students gain insights into working with diverse populations, develop professional skills, and build networks that can help them in their future careers."
The department's approach to education includes integrating Samford GivePulse, a community engagement platform, into the school’s Canvas system, offering students a seamless way to engage in service learning and to log their service hours. GivePulse also provides faculty with real-time dashboards to track students' progress as they contribute to community partnerships.
Samford's Department of Human Development and Family Science has fostered relationships with a variety of organizations, including The Lovelady Center, First Light, Grace House Ministries and Grace Klein Ministries. These partnerships offer students internships, service-learning opportunities and research projects, all while providing needed support to these organizations.
“Our partners often highlight the professionalism and preparedness of our students,” said Hill. “They bring fresh perspectives, energy and empathy when working with families and individuals.”
These relationships are mutually beneficial. Students gain real-world experience, while organizations have access to motivated and skilled individuals who assist in their work. The department and university also benefit by building stronger ties within the community and fulfilling their mission to serve and improve the well-being of local families.
“The work our students do extends beyond just gaining experience. They’re making a real impact,” said Hill. “Many of our students work on projects that directly benefit Birmingham families, addressing issues such as child development, family support, mental health and aging populations.”
The partnerships formed by the department are essential to ensuring that the curriculum remains responsive to the needs of the community. Demographics often change at a faster rate than curriculums do, however, Samford’s dedication to being integrated into the surrounding community keeps the School of Education’s fingers on the pulse of addressing the most pressing challenges facing families today.
“Engaging with local organizations ensures we stay connected to the real-world challenges families and communities are facing,” said Hill. “It’s not only about what our students gain, but how we can serve our communities. We believe that by building these partnerships, we help both our students and the organizations thrive.”
By integrating community involvement into its core, Samford University’s Department of Human Development and Family Science is preparing its students for impactful careers while fulfilling its commitment to civic engagement and improving lives.
This work in the School of Education is just one of the reasons The Wall Street Journal ranks Samford No. 2 in the nation for the character development of its students and No. 8 in the nation for its quality of career preparation. Furthermore, three HDFS alumni have recently received Samford’s Humanitarian of the Year award awarded annually at Homecoming.
