Liane Lussier Smith, MSW, LCSW earned her Bachelor of Science in HDFS from UConn with a focus in Counseling and Services in 2002. Taking advantage of multiple internships and the variety of courses within the HDFS program set the stage for learning about new career opportunities. After obtaining her undergraduate degree, Liane worked in early childhood education and special education while working toward a master’s in social work. Liane graduated from UConn School of Social Work in 2007 and was hired as a psychiatric social worker for a child and adolescent outpatient clinic, providing individual and family therapy and reviving the clinic’s outpatient group therapy program. Subsequently, Liane acquired her LCSW and took on leadership roles in supervising and overseeing the group therapy and trauma services programs. During this time, Liane also began hosting social work interns from multiple universities as a practicum instructor – an activity she continued in future positions with other agencies.

Liane has over 15 years of experience working with children, youth, and families in a variety of settings, including clinical, school-based services, community programs, and Youth Service Bureaus. In addition to working in clinical services, Liane had the privilege of running a Teen Center, where she implemented various after school and summer programs aimed at helping young people learn about community service opportunities, prosocial development, and reducing at risk behaviors. She also ran groups at the center and local schools and became involved in other community initiatives through youth outreach efforts, including community gardens, Senior Center programs, the SW Food Alliance, and the local Hunger Action Team. Liane also worked for a second Youth Service Bureau, where she worked with students in an alternative high school program and joined the Juvenile Review Board, providing intake assessments and short-term treatment as part of the community-based diversion program. For the past ten years, Liane has also been an adjunct instructor for the UConn School of Social Work, teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses. Throughout her career, Liane has held multiple roles focused on supporting individuals’ mental health, wellness, varying abilities and disabilities, promoting social justice, and utilizing a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach.

Liane’s experience as a practicum instructor and adjunct instructor led her to join the Practicum Education Department at UConn School of Social Work full time, first as a Placement Coordinator and now as Director. She leads a team committed to supporting students’ practicum experiences as the signature pedagogy of social work education and works closely with faculty and agency partners in Connecticut and beyond. Liane has a passion for working with students and is grateful for the opportunity to both witness and support their journey in becoming future social work practitioners. Liane is also grateful for the mentors who helped her get to where she is today and, most importantly, for the social worker mentor who saw things in her she could not see and gave her a nudge into higher education. While continuing to reach new professional goals and pursuing the commitment to life-long learning as a social worker, Liane is proud to be a part of the UConn community that helped shape her professional career and will strive to empower students to see their own strengths and find their true calling.

Congratulations to McKenna Cheverier (HDFS BA ’24), who recently started a position as recreation supervisor in the Department of Leisure, Family, and Recreation for the Town of Manchester, CT!

Annika Anderson, MPH, earned her B.S. in HDFS in 2020 and her Master of Public Health from UConn in 2022. With aspirations in healthcare, Annika appreciated learning about the socioecological model of health in HDFS, which recognizes that 90% of child health outcomes are influenced by a complex interplay of social and structural drivers.

As an undergraduate, Annika interned with the International Rescue Committee and supported Ahlan Simsim (“Welcome Sesame” in Arabic)—the largest early childhood development initiative in humanitarian response, funded by LEGO and the MacArthur Foundation. The program’s innovative combination of direct services and culturally relevant media sparked her interest in teaching children and youth about health and wellness through media. During her graduate studies, Annika proudly authored the PBS KIDS Health & Wellness Learning Framework, which guides producers in creating educational shows, games, podcasts, and other forms of media reaching children ages 2–8 across the United States.

Since completing graduate school Annika has built a career at Connecticut Children’s as an Innovation Specialist in the Office for Community Child Health. She supports Childhood Prosperity Lab, a social innovation incubator and accelerator helping children and families thrive where they live, learn, work, play, and pray. Her work includes facilitating Mastermind sessions for changemakers; training providers on the Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework through North Hartford Ascend; co-designing youth- and community-driven initiatives using Human-Centered Design; and co-leading Learning Communities in partnership with the Help Me Grow National Center. Annika’s favorite part of her role is engaging with youth and families.

Annika hopes to pursue a Ph.D. and return to UConn’s HDFS program as a professor, inspiring the next generation of Huskies; she is particularly interested in the program’s new Human Development, Digital Media, and Technology course! Annika credits the HDFS program, especially the Early Childhood Specialization pathway, with profoundly shaping her personal and professional growth. Outside of work, Annika enjoys spending time with loved ones, creating art, reading Breathe magazine, and traveling—her favorite destination to date is Tokyo, Japan.

Dr. Starlin Astacio earned his B.S. in HDFS from UConn in 2016. Since then, Starlin has built a career rooted in healing, advocacy, and education. He subsequently earned an M.S. in Couple and Family Therapy from Central Connecticut State University in 2019 and a Ph.D. in Couple and Family Therapy from Antioch University in 2023. For over a decade, he has worked as a bilingual relational psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, and DEI leader, centering his clinical, supervisory, and research expertise around LGBTQ+ communities. During his time at Hartford Healthcare, he co-founded and co-chaired the DEI Council and executive committees at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, and in 2021, he was honored with the AAMFT Diversity Scholarship for Emerging Leaders for his ongoing work in health equity and inclusion.

Today, he maintains a private practice in Connecticut and New York that is inclusive, innovative, and grounded in the healing power of Self-Leadership. He focuses his clinical work on addressing the disparities faced by minoritized populations, using culturally responsive and trauma-informed modalities like Internal Family Systems (IFS). He also serves as associate faculty at Antioch University New England, where he teaches foundational courses and supervises master’s students in the Couple and Family Therapy program. In addition, he teaches in the Sexuality Education Program at the University of Guelph in Canada, educating health professionals on inclusive sex education practices. He also remains connected to UConn, where he has taught courses in the Human Development and Family Sciences department—an experience that continues to hold deep meaning for him. Looking ahead, his long-term goal is to build an institute that offers clinical services to clients, practicum and supervision opportunities for students, and ongoing training and workshops for psychotherapists to expand their scope of practice.

Outside of work, he finds joy in visiting family in the Caribbean, spending time with his loved ones, and supporting community initiatives that empower underserved populations. He believes in maintaining wellness from the inside out—integrating mental and physical self-care into his daily life has been transformational. He is deeply grateful to UConn HDFS for laying the foundation of his professional journey and for continuing to be a meaningful part of his path.

Dr. Georgia Powell earned her Bachelor of Science in HDFS with a minor in Gerontology from UConn in 2000. Since then, she has dedicated her career to improving health outcomes and advancing mental wellness across vulnerable populations. With over 25 years of experience, she has held leadership roles in the healthcare and insurance industries. Her work has focused on clinical operations, public health education, research, and program implementation, especially in underserved communities.

Dr. Powell is the Founder and Executive Director of Powell Mental Health and Powell Consulting Services. In these roles, she leads culturally responsive, trauma-informed programs that promote accessible care and community-based wellness. She also certifies professionals and community members as Mental Health First Aiders nationwide. In addition to her consulting and clinical work, Dr. Powell is an adjunct professor, national speaker, and advocate for mental health equity. In a full-circle moment, Dr. Powell will return to UConn HDFS this fall as a professor, where she will teach and inspire future leaders in the field, emphasizing the vital importance of supporting and advocating for the older adult population. Her future goals include expanding her wellness model internationally and advocating for policies that improve care coordination for older adults and marginalized groups.

Outside of her professional life, Dr. Powell is a wife and proud mother of two. She enjoys faith-based service, wellness retreats, and uplifting other women through mentorship. She remains active in her community through leadership on multiple boards, including Hartford Healthcare, UConn Center on Aging, and the Network Against Domestic Abuse. Her work is grounded in a passion for service, advocacy, and community healing, values she first embraced at UConn and from her late grandmother, Vashti Mills.

Amy Watkins (BA ’99), was featured in a project that recently won a New England Emmy! In the documentary, Ghost Shoes, tells the story of this unique project and the victims it honors, thus putting faces and names to those most affected by pedestrian deaths. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vQ4nuIRfWI.  Amy now works at Connecticut Children’s Injury Prevention Center. Watch for Me CT is her main campaign (https://watchformect.org/).

Lynna Vo ’24 (ED), ’25 MA, earned her undergraduate degree in elementary education with a math focus and minor in human development and family sciences. She will be an ETA in Vietnam for her Fulbright. https://today.uconn.edu/2025/06/six-recent-graduates-earn-spots-in-fulbright-u-s-student-program/

I entered UConn in Fall 1975 majoring in Home Economics Education. During my time at UConn not only did I get an excellent education, but I also met my husband. I loved my coursework, especially the classes in the Child Development and Family Relations (CDFR) department, which eventually become HDFS. When it came time for student teaching I knew without a doubt I had made the right decision. My job search took me right back to where I started, and I was hired as a Home Economics teacher at my alma mater, Platt High School, in Meriden CT. I earned my Masters Degree from UConn a few years later.  In 2005 I had the opportunity to become part of the early piloting of HDFS 190 (which later became HDFS 1070) as part of the Early College Experience program. This experience changed the whole direction of my career in a very positive, fulfilling way. In 2008 I was in the “right place at the right time” and was offered the chance by Kathy Brophy to teach a summer session of the course at the Waterbury campus. This first opportunity grew into teaching the course during fall and spring semesters, not only in Waterbury, but also Torrington and Hartford. I taught evening and late afternoon classes for the next ten years, traveling to different campuses after a full day at Platt. My hope was that the adjunct position would continue after I retired.

When I retired in 2018 from a 39-year teaching career at Platt High School I knew I wasn’t done! I planned to continue my adjunct teaching, but I was afraid that 1 or 2 courses might not be enough, so I reached out to the University of Saint Joseph and have been teaching for them as well! Although my time at UConn must come to an end due to our planned move out of state, I am not ready to stop teaching! I have been offered an online course at USJ and have made a connection with a university near our new home as I am still not done! I met with the department chair recently and I am hopeful that I will be offered an adjunct position there.

It has been our plan for many years to move somewhere warm after we retired. After visiting different places, we decided upon Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, where we are currently building a home. After living in CT and raising our three children here it was not an easy decision, but the warmth of the south calls us. Our kids live around the country – San Francisco, Chicago, and Charleston. We have 3 young grandchildren whom we adore and make every effort to visit once a month in Chicago!

In my free time, I love to read, sew, and plan the next visit to see the grands! My husband and I also enjoy traveling and have several trips coming up. My favorite vacation is anything involving the beach, so our move to South Carolina will make me feel as if we are on vacation all the time!