I primarily teach upper-division undergraduate course focused on human development and family science (HDFS) with an emphasis on prevention through family life education. I also supervise undergraduate HDFS student internships. In all my classes, my goal is to provide an engaging learning environment where students actively participate in their learning. I also strive to provide learning opportunities outside the classroom through experiential learning. I think that learning occurs best when people work hard and practice using the information they are learning.
Ph.D. Human Development and Family Studies, Auburn University, 2015
M.S. Marriage and Family Therapy, Purdue University, 2008
B.S. Psychology, Kansas State University, 2006
My research focuses on understanding close relationships during adolescence and emerging adulthood through both basic and applied approaches. I am also interested in how experiential learning affects student outcomes. Recently, my research focuses on:
McElwain, A. (2019). Learning by doing: Undergraduate student perceptions of a family life education service-learning assignment. Family Science Review, 23(3), 71-90.
McElwain, A., McGill, J., & Savasuk, R. (2017). Youth relationship education: A meta-analysis. Children and Youth Services Review, 82, 499-507. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.09.036
McElwain, A., Finnegan, V., Whitaker, A., Kerpelman, J., Adler-Baeder, F., & Duke, A. (2016). Evaluation and lessons learned from an undergraduate service-learning course providing youth-focused relationship education. Evaluation and Program Planning, 58, 116-124. https:// doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2016.06.002
