Katie Courson

Human Development and Family Science

HDFS major has allowed Courson to grow in empathy

Hometown

Valdosta, Ga.

Major

Human Development and Family Science

Activities and Honors

Presidential Scholar, Dean’s List, Zell Miller Scholarship, Intern at the UGA Wesley Foundation, Volunteer with Inspiring Hospice Partners of Georgia, Volunteer with Extra Special People, Arch Ready Professionalism Certificate, Graduating Summa Cum Laude, Peer Mentor at the UGA Wesley Foundation

Why I chose my major

I chose HDFS because I knew I wanted to work with individuals in local communities and help them achieve their goals. I love how HDFS is focused on understanding individuals and their backgrounds in order to better serve them and work together with diverse people groups. I hope to one day work with geriatric populations, and I enjoyed how HDFS content focused on people in all stages of life from birth to death. I believe each person is important and has a story to tell, and studying human development and family science has allowed me to grow in perspective taking and empathy.

What I like most about FACS

I enjoy FACS because the faculty, staff and students genuinely care for each other, and they work in partnership to serve those around them. Each member of the faculty has a deep care for the students they teach, and they value and embody the content they are teaching beyond the classroom setting. It was empowering to be a FACS student and be in an environment with peers who share a passion for making a positive difference in the lives of others.

Post-graduation plans

After graduation, I will continue my internship at the UGA Wesley Foundation until May of 2022. Following my internship, I hope to attend graduate school for counseling or social work with goals of working with the geriatric population in a nursing home, hospital or hospice setting.

Photo credit: Abigail Mewbourne Media