Karen Melton, PhD
Associate Professor of Child and Family Studies
Department of Human Sciences and Design
Dr. Karen Melton serves as Associate Professor of Child and Family Studies in the Department of Human Sciences and Design. Dr. Melton received her academic training in positive youth development at Texas A&M. Prior to academia, Dr. Melton was employed in adolescent settings such as camps, youth ministry, children’s homes, and boarding schools. In these settings, she has developed and managed adolescent and family programs.
Dr. Melton’s research focuses on the design of developmental experiences that promote human flourishing. Her scholarship focused on family experiences has been featured more than 100 times in domestic and international media sources, including Times, GQ, Good Morning America, Today Talk, MarketWatch, Baptist Standard, US News & World Report, and iHeartMedia, among many others. Practical implications from her research can be found in the family life intervention, Intentional Family. Additionally, she regularly works with non-profits in conducting program evaluations.
Current Research Interests:
- Developmental Experiences
- Experience Design
- Program Planning
- Program Evaluation
- Positive Youth Development
- Out-of-School Time Programs
- Family Experiences
- Parenting
- Family Engagement
- Social Connectedness
Current Courses Taught:
- CFS 4363: Adolescent Development
- CFS 4358: Planning & Administration of Child & Family Programs