C A R E D I R E C T O R
Priscilla Goble is an Associate Professor of Human Development and Family Sciences in the School of Family and Consumer Sciences at Texas State University and a Certified Child Life Specialist. She has dedicated her career to understanding and supporting the people who help children thrive—whether in classrooms, hospitals, or community programs.
Dr. Goble earned her doctorate in Family and Human Development from Arizona State University and completed her postdoctoral work in the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and Special Needs from Purdue University and completed her Child Life internship at University Hospital in San Antonio.
Her research and teaching center on strengthening the work of educators, child life specialists, and other professionals serving children and families, with a particular focus on fostering the well-being of both these professionals and the children and families they support.
C A R E T E A M
Malia Benavides
Malia Benavides is currently in the Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) Master’s program, with a concentration in Child Life. She graduated with her B. A in Psychology and a minor in HDFS from Texas State University in May 2024. Malia’s research interests include the social and emotional development of foster children and attachment between Child Life Specialists and their patients within both hospital and community settings.
C A R E A L U M N I
Joshua Rogalski
Joshua Rogalski graduated with his Master’s from the Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS) program at Texas State University in May of 2024 and his B.S. in HDFS at Texas State University in 2021. Joshua’s research interests include: emotional understanding in early childhood and the role of music/media.
Pond Ezra
Pond Ezra is now a graduate student at the University of Maryland. Pond graduated with their Master’s in Human Development and Family Sciences from Texas State University in 2022. In 2020 they graduated with a B.A. in Psychology a from Texas State University. Pond’s research interests include: the role of diverse family structures, fathers, and religiosity in children’s development.
Hailey Thomas
Hailey Thomas graduated from Texas State University in 2022 with a Master’s in Human Development and Family Sciences with a specialization in Child Life. In 2020 she graduated with her B.A. in Psychology from at Texas State University. Hailey’s research interests focus on the quality of relationships between Certified Child Life Specialists and their patients within hospital settings.
Elaine Fife
Elaine Fife is now a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-A) at Bloom Therapy in Austin. She graduated with her Master’s in Counseling from Texas State University in 2021. In 2016 she graduated with her B.A. in Psychology and minor in Family Child Development at Texas State University. Elaine’s research interests include: the effects of mindfulness techniques on teacher/child and parent/child relationships, play therapy, developmental sexual health education, and childhood resilience.
Toria Flynn
Toria Flynn is now an Associate Medical Writer at Clinical Research PPD in Austin. She graduated with her Master’s in Family and Child Development from Texas State University in 2020. In 2016 she graduated from Texas Tech University with her B.A. in Psychology. Her research interests include: hospitalization, social development, and quantitative methodology.
Cambrian Nauman
Cambrian Nauman now a PhD student in the Educational Psychology PhD program at University of Texas – Austin. She graduated with her Master’s in Family and Child Development from Texas State University in 2019. Her research interests include: child and adolescent development, early childhood development within education settings, childhood resilience, and in particular how experiences in early childhood influence an adolescent’s ability to be resilient.