Dr. Casey McGregor, PhD
Assistant Professor
Dr. Casey M. McGregor is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science at the University of Rhode Island. Dr. McGregor teaches HDF 342 (Working with Families in Early Childhood), HDF 434 (Children and Families in Poverty), and HDF 533 (Family Policy).
Casey grew up in a semi-rural community in the central Pennsylvania region and lived in the southwestern part of Virginia and in Nashville since leaving Pennsylvania for graduate school.
She received her undergraduate degree in HDF at Penn State Altoona, then went to Virginia Tech where she did her Masters and PhD in HDF with a specialization in Family Science and Childhood Development.
McGregor’s research passion is in families with young children, specifically how society dictates what “good parenting” is through explicit and implicit messaging as well as how parents externalize and internalize these messages by observing their mental health and selective parenting practices. In addition, McGregor also examines how parents’ wellbeing, relationships, and practices impact young children’s growth and development.
McGregor cites two reasons why she thinks the HDF department at URI sets it apart from other universities’ HDF programs: the experiential learning and translational research and the faculty’s commitment to translational research and serving the people of Rhode Island. She states, “The students in our program are offered multiple opportunities to gain hands-on, tangible experience in working with individuals and families across the life course.” Moreover, she believes that not only does this help students integrate their classroom learning better, but it also gives them a firm grasp on the many ways in which they can apply their degree post-graduation. The professor also noted that the discipline of family science is multifaceted but one of the core tenets of this field of study is to be translational, meaning the findings of Family Science research are meant to be applied in real life to help strengthen families.
“I think our HDF program excels at this, along with the general mission of a flagship university in that the work carried out by the faculty in this department is aligned with the very specific needs of the people of this state. I love that the faculty in our department are ready to use their expertise to make tangible positive contributions to the people of RI through policy work, advocacy, and service.”
The words of wisdom she has for students? Embrace the journey of learning during your undergraduate years. It’s tempting to view classes merely as checkboxes to complete, but it’s so important to immerse yourself fully in your classes. Ask questions, seek additional resources, and challenge yourself beyond the course requirements when you are able.
“Remember– the knowledge and skills gained in these classes are the building blocks for your future work.”Dr. Casey M. McGregor
Where are you from?
I grew up in a semi-rural community in the Central Pennsylvania region. I’ve also lived in the southwestern part of Virginia and in Nashville since leaving Pennsylvania for graduate school.
What degree did you pursue and where?
I received my undergraduate degree in HDF at Penn State Altoona. I then went to Virginia Tech for my Masters and PhD in HDF with a specialization in Family Science and Childhood Development.
When did you start working at URI?
August 2023.
What is your area of research?
My research, broadly, involves families with young children. I study the ways in which society tells us what “good parenting” looks like through explicit and implicit messaging, and how parents internalize and externalize those messages evidenced through their mental well-being and parenting practices. I also examine how parents’ well-being, relationships, and practices impact young children’s growth and development.
In your opinion, what sets URI’s HDF program apart from other universities’ HDF programs?
Two things really stand out to me: experiential learning and translational research. The students in our program are offered multiple opportunities to gain hands-on, tangible experience in working with individuals and families across the life course. Not only does this help students integrate their classroom learning better, but it also gives them a firm grasp on the many ways in which they can apply their degree post-graduation.
The second area that sets our HDF program apart from other universities is the faculty’s commitment to translational research and serving the people of Rhode Island. The discipline of family science is multifaceted but one of the core tenets of this field of study is to be translational, meaning the findings of Family Science research are meant to be applied in real life to help strengthen families. I think our HDF program excels at this, along with the general mission of a flagship university in that the work carried out by the faculty in this department is aligned with the very specific needs of the people of this state. I love that the faculty in our department are ready to use their expertise to make tangible positive contributions to the people of RI through policy work, advocacy, and service.
What words of wisdom do you have for undergraduate students?
Embrace the journey of learning during your undergraduate years. It’s tempting to view classes merely as checkboxes to complete, but it’s so important to immerse yourself fully in your classes. Actively engage! Ask questions, seek additional resources, and challenge yourself beyond the course requirements when you are able. Remember, the knowledge and skills gained in these classes are the building blocks for your future work.