Zarling named chair of Iowa State’s Department of Human Development and Family Studies 

AMES, Iowa – Amie Zarling has been named the next chair of Iowa State University’s Department of Human Development and Family Studies. 

Zarling, whose recently approved promotion to professor takes effect in July, joined ISU’s Department of Human Development and Family studies in 2014 and quickly established herself as a leader in research, teaching and outreach.

“Dr. Zarling has proven to be an innovative leader with a strong commitment to creating a student-centric learning environment,” said Laura Jolly, Dean and Dean’s Chair of the College of Health and Human Sciences. “She is also an accomplished researcher with keen ability to translate research into practice.” 

Zarling’s research is focused on promoting individual and family well-being, with funding from agencies such as the Department of Justice and National Institutes of Health. Over the past two decades, she has collaborated with state agencies in Iowa to implement evidence-based programming that includes a state-wide program completed by thousands of justice-involved individuals each year. 

“I am deeply committed to advancing translational science, ensuring that our research not only generates new knowledge but also transforms practices in early childhood settings, schools, neighborhoods, community programs and policy systems,” said Zarling. 

Zarling brings research into the classroom and has been instrumental in implementing curriculum updates, developing new courses and fostering a culture centered around the recruitment and retention of students. 

“I’m proud to lead a department with such a powerful mission and such remarkable people. Honoring our strong tradition while driving innovation, we are ready to meet the urgent and complex challenges facing individuals, families and communities in today’s rapidly changing world,” said Zarling. 

She has a doctoral degree and master’s degree in clinical psychology from the University of Iowa. Zarling completed her clinical internship at Duke University Medical Center in the cognitive behavioral therapy track. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Iowa State. 

Zarling will begin her appointment on July 1 and succeeds current chair Carl Weems. Weems has served as chair since 2015 and will remain a professor in the department. 

About the Department of Human Development and Family Studies 

The Department of Human Development and Family Studies, part of the College of Health and Human Sciences, has approximately 350 undergraduate students pursuing degrees in Human Development and Family Studies, Early Childhood Education, Family and Consumer Sciences Education and Studies, Financial Counseling and Planning and Early Childcare Education and Programming. Nearly 70 graduate students are enrolled in the Human Development and Family Studies master’s and doctoral programs. The 29-member faculty team is multi-disciplinary and had over $20 million in executed grants last year. Over 70 professional and scientific employees serve in roles such as research scientists, educators, program managers and specialists. The department includes the Iowa State Financial Counseling Clinic, Child Welfare Research and Training Project and the Child Development Laboratory School. Extension programs also play a vital role in the department’s mission.