Dr. Benson teaches primarily in the Human Development & Family Studies program, but teaches one section of developmental psychology per year. Her research has focused on the development of narrative ability in preschool children; specifically, the development of the ability to invent stories with plots. With a background of experience with Head Start, she is interested in how narrative ability is connected to emerging literacy, and how mother-child interactions are connected to the child's social competence in the Head Start classroom.

Heejeong Choi, assistant professor of human
development and family studies, earned her doctorate
from the University of Wisconsin. Her research
interests focus on adult development and aging in
the context of the family. She has received several
research and teaching awards, and has published
articles in the "Journal of Marriage and the Family," the "Journal of Family Issues, and Research in the
Sociology of Health Care."

Lee Ann De Reus is an Associate Professor of Human Development & Family Studies and Women Studies at Pennsylvania State University-Altoona and the co-founder/assistant executive director of Panzi Foundation USA (www.panzifoundation.org). As a scholar-activist, she travels regularly to Panzi Hospital in eastern DR Congo to conduct research, develop programs for rape survivors, and inform her advocacy work in the U.S. She leads an annual field experience for PSU students to Rwanda and co-founded Beza Kids (www.bezakids.org) in support of vulnerable women and children there. Dr. De Reus is a 2009 Carl Wilkens Fellow and the recipient of numerous awards from Penn State University including the prestigious George W. Atherton Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Spirit of Internationalization Award given in honor of her commitment to global service and outreach. She leads the Genocide Relief Project, a local community-based anti-genocide advocacy, education and aid organization and she is a featured activist in John Prendergast's book, "The Enough Moment: Fighting to End Africa's Worst Human Rights Crimes." A frequent guest speaker about the crisis in the DRC, her 2013 TEDxPSU talk, "Daring to Make a Difference for Congo" can be found at www.tedxpsu.com. For more information, visit www.leeanndereus.com or follow her on Twitter at @LADeReus or @PanziUSA.