Help Improve the Way That Children and Families Function
It takes a special person to answer the call of those in need, and our Child and Family Studies major prepares you for career opportunities in social services, day care, family education, and various areas of public policy that address the needs of children and/or families.
You’ll gain the ability to ask the critical questions about ethics and issues related to the family and other social institutions in order to best serve those in your care. This major will prepare you with the skills and qualifications for graduate study or careers as family therapists, mental health professionals, school counselors, and similar positions that require advanced training.

Real Experience — Every Year
The Keuka College Field Period® gives you the chance to have four separate internships in Child & Family Studies, starting your freshman year.
Explore different practice settings and career paths to see which one is the right fit for you.
Program Overview
Through the exploration of child development, the sociology of parents and families, and influential social and cultural practices, the child and family studies program is a true interdisciplinary major.
The program strengthens your understanding of family functioning and dynamics, and gives you the ability to critically examine ethical questions and issues relating to the family and other social institutions, giving you the necessary skills to become a human service professional.
Child and Family Studies will prepare you for career opportunities in social services, day care, family education, and various areas of public policy that address the needs of children and/or families. You will acquire the skills to serve as a case manager, working with children who have disabilities.
In addition, if you’re thinking about furthering your education after Keuka College, the Child and Family Studies major prepares you for graduate school, which further provides the skills and qualifications necessary to become family therapists, mental health professionals, school counselors, and similar positions that require advanced training.
Learn More About Child & Family Studies

Dr. Carolyn Balzer
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Academic Credentials
- SUNY Upstate Medical University
- M.D.

Dr. Janine Bower
Professor of Criminology/Criminal Justice
Chair, Institutional Review Board
Academic Credentials
- Western Michigan University
- Ph.D.
- Western Michigan University
- M.S.
- Indiana University at Fort Wayne
- B.A.

Dr. Angela Graves
Associate Professor of Political Science
Academic Credentials
- Syracuse University
- Ph.D.
- Central European University
- M.A. in Political Science
- Babes-Bolyai University
- B.A. in Political Science
Biography
Angela G. Graves received her Ph.D. from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs of Syracuse University in 2011 and is currently an Associate Professor of Political Science. Prior to joining Keuka College, she taught at the University of North Dakota and Idaho State University.
Originally from the Washington D.C. area, Angela moved to Eastern Europe after high school to study post-communist transition firsthand. She received her B.A. (2002) in Political Science from Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, Romania and went on to Budapest, Hungary to obtain an M.A. (2003) in the same field from Central European University. Although her research is primarily grounded in the field of American Politics, it continues to reflect her international interests by focusing on the new challenges posed by globalization for national institutions such as the U.S. Supreme Court. Angela has presented her work at the American Political Science Association and the Law and Society Association’s annual meetings, and her publications include 2010 and 2013 articles in the Journal of Law, Politics, and Society and a chapter in the 2015 Wiley Handbook of Law and Society.
In addition to teaching, Angela is an Intercultural Coach for Cartus, a corporate relocation firm, and both Tour Guide and Services Ambassador for Experience! The Finger Lakes' Corning office.

Dr. Nicholas Koberstein
Associate Professor of Psychology
Academic Credentials
- University of Connecticut
- Ph.D.
- University of Connecticut
- M.S.
- Eastern Connecticut State University
- B.S.

Dr. Melis Kural
Associate Professor of Sociology
Academic Credentials
- University at Buffalo
- Ph.D.
- University at Buffalo
- M.A. in Sociology
- SUNY Geneseo
- B.A. in Sociology

Dr. Christopher Leahy
Professor of History
Academic Credentials
- Louisiana State University Baton Rouge
- Ph.D.
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
- M.A.
- Washington and Jefferson College
- B.S.

Dr. David Pak Leon
Associate Professor of Political Science
Academic Credentials
- University of Minnesota
- Ph.D.
- University of Minnesota
- M.A.
- University of Maryland College Park
- B.A.

Dr. Jessica MacNamara
Associate Professor of Sociology
Academic Credentials
- University at Buffalo
- Ph.D.
- SUNY Albany
- M.A.
- SUNY College at Buffalo
- B.A.
- Finger Lakes Community College
- A.A.

Dr. Rich Martin ’05
Division Chair
Associate Professor of Criminal Justice
Academic Credentials
- Regent University
- Ph.D.
- Boston University
- M.S. in Criminal Justice
- Keuka College
- B.S. in Criminal Justice Systems

Dr. Josh Staley
Assistant Professor of Psychology and Esports Management
Head Coach, Esports
Academic Credentials
- Stephen F. Austin State University
- Ph.D.
- Stephen F. Austin State University
- M.A. in Psychology
- Stephen F. Austin State University
- B.S. in Psychology

Dr. Tom Tremer
Professor of Criminology/Criminal Justice
Academic Credentials
- Indiana University Pennsylvania
- Ph.D.
- Fordham University
- M.A.
- SUNY Oneonta
- B.A.

Penny Waugh
Administrative Assistant
Contact Information
