Program Description and Objectives
The Department of Housing and Consumer Economics (HACE) offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science, the Master of Science Non-Thesis and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees. The graduate program provides in-depth study in consumer economics, family financial planning, or housing within a broader, interdisciplinary context. Course work is centered in the department, but draws upon offerings from across the college and throughout the university. The interdisciplinary nature of the materials makes these related offerings essential.
The past several decades have witnessed dramatic changes in the family economic system, the consumer's orientation to the marketplace and the issue of family shelter. The tremendous increase in female labor force participation, for example, has made management within the family more important and has redefined many traditional consumer roles. Technological changes have transformed the marketplace and, in the case of housing, opened new options to consumers.
All of this means that the subject areas contained in the Department of Housing and Consumer Economics are more important than ever. There is an increasing need for individuals who understand these changes and can relate them to situations in education, the business world and the public sector. It is the objective of this program to prepare specialists to meet that need.
Examples of Positions Recent HACE Graduates Have Obtained Since Degree Completion
Melissa Casey Moore, M.S., December, 2010, works as an Account Development Specialist for Republic National Distributing Company. Her thesis is titled The Employment Status and Managerial Challenges of Mothers in Two-Parent Families with Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Teresa Mauldin served as her major professor.
David Ward, M.S. Non-Thesis, December, 2010, works as a Planning Coordinator at Charles D. Haines, LLC. Swarn Chatterjee served as his major professor.
Graham Brown, M.S. Non-Thesis, December 2010, works as a Corporate and Investment Banking Analyst at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey. Lance Palmer served as his major professor.
Meg Shepard Johnson, CFP®, M.S. Non-Thesis, May 2010, works as a Financial Planner at Ronald Blue & Company. Brenda Cude served as her major professor.
DeShunnon Thomas, M.S. Non-Thesis, May 2010, works as a Financial Planning Specialist in the Financial Planning Group with SunTrust Private Wealth Management. Lance Palmer was his major professor.
Leslie Green-Pimentel, Ph.D., December, 2009, is an Assistant Professor of Community Development and Associate Director of the Center for Community and Economic Development at Delta State University. Her dissertation is titled The Relationship between Housing Cost Burden and Health Status among Older Adults in the United States. Anne Sweaney served as her major professor.
Gina Gould Peek, Ph.D., December, 2009, is an Assistant Professor and Cooperative Extension Housing and Consumer Specialist at Oklahoma State University. Her dissertation is titled Better Citizens? The Relationship between Homeownership and Religious and Political Volunteerism. Anne Sweaney served as her major professor.
Jason Miller, M.S., December, 2009, is currently seeking his Ph.D. at Oregon State University Food Innovation Center. His thesis is titled The Role of Smokeless Tobacco in Smoking Cessation and Initiation: An Investigation of American Youth. Teresa Mauldin served as his major professor.
Andrea Cordy, M.S. Non-Thesis, December 2008, is the Residence Hall Director for Lipscomb and Mell Halls in the University of Georgia's Student Housing. Joan Koonce served as her major professor.
Francisco Diaz, M.S., May 2008, is a Lecturer in the Economics Department at the Universidad Veracruzana in Xalapa, Mexico. His thesis is titled An Analysis Of The Meat Demand Of The U.S. Hispanic Population. Jack Houston served as his major professor.
Eric Gilmore, M.S. Non-Thesis, May 2008, works as a Tax Associate in the tax division at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Atlanta, GA. Lance Palmer served as his major professor.
Katie Robinson Parks, M.S., May 2008, is a Service Representative at the Social Security Administration in Athens, GA. Her thesis is titled The Residential Satisfaction of Military Personnel Living in Privatized and Non-Privatized Housing. Andy Carswell served as her major professor.
Melissa Wilmarth, M.S., May 2008, is currently seeking her Ph.D. in consumer economics in the Department of Housing and Consumer Economics at the University of Georgia. Her thesis is titled Clear Thinking, Sound Judgment, Established Leadership: Helen W. Atwater. Sharon Nickols served as her major professor.
Gilbert Werema, Ph.D., August 2007, is a faculty member in the Business School at Wayland Baptist University, Plainview, TX. His dissertation is titled Spatial Differences in Food Consumption Behavior in Uganda. Jack Houston served as his major professor.
Amanda Anglyn, M.S., May 2007, is currently employed as an associate real estate appraiser with Tellatin, Short, Hansen and Clark, Inc. in St. Louis, MO. Her thesis is titled Incidence of Home Modifications Among Younger Old Adults and Older Old Adults Using Longitudinal Analysis. Anne Sweaney served as her major professor.
Mandi Colson, M.S., May 2007, is a Program Manager for Energy Education with the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Her thesis is titled Affordable Housing Barriers in Georgia According to Local Homebuilders Association Members. Anne Sweaney served as her major professor.
Qianqiu "Max" Zhu, Ph.D., May 2007, is employed by Equifax, as a Statistical Consultant. His dissertation is titled Consumer Preferences for Internet Services: A Choice-Based Conjoint Study. Julia Marlowe served as his major professor.
Mary Linnenbrink, M.S., August 2006, is employed by the Iowa State Department of Education and works in the No Child Left Behind Accountability office. Her thesis is titled Factors Associated with Savings and the Achievement of Savings Goals in Individual Development accounts: Evidence from the American Dream Demonstration. Teresa Mauldin served as her major professor.
Stephanie Vanderford, Ph.D., May 2006, is a member of the faculty in the Math Department of Providence Day School in Charlotte, North Carolina. Her dissertation is titled Homeless Families in Charlotte, North Carolina: Characteristics and Patterns of Exit from Homelessness. Anne Sweaney served as her major professor.
Yali "Lily" Yang, Ph.D., December 2005, is currently a part-time faculty member at California State University-Northridge. Her dissertation is titled Decision-Making Under Risk: Financial Goal, Wealth, and Reflection Effect. Joan Koonce served as her major professor.
Yi "Tom" Cai, Ph.D., December 2005, is a faculty member in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at California State University-Northridge. His dissertation is titled The Effect of Reference Prices on Consumer Willingness-to-Pay: An Investigation of the Online Name-Your-Own Price Strategy. Brenda Cude served as his major professor.
Kelly Manley, Ph.D., May, 2005, is a faculty member in the Economics Department at Gainesville State College in Watkinsville, GA. Her dissertation is titled Consumer Choice and Midwifery: A Qualitative Analysis. Brenda Cude and Teresa Mauldin served as co-major professors.
Marietta Jelks, M.S., May 2005, is working for the Federal Citizen Information Center of the General Services Administration in Washington, DC as an account executive. She works with federal agencies and non-profit organizations to provide valuable information to consumers on a variety of topics (money, credit, health, insurance, etc). They develop various marketing promotions to provide the publications and create content for their website pueblo.gsa.gov. Her thesis is titled Premature Affluence: Factors Related to Excessive Teen Spending. Julia Marlowe served as her major professor.
Andy Carswell , Graduate Coordinator, 706-542-4867, HACEgrad@fcs.uga.edu
Bonnie Borgesi , Graduate Coordinator Assistant, 706-542-4856, HACEgrad@fcs.uga.edu
Mailing Address:
Graduate Coordinator
Department of Housing and Consumer Economics
205 Dawson Hall
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602
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Prospective HACE Graduate Students 
