Holly Hatton-Bowers, assistant professor and early childhood extension specialist in Child, Youth and Family Studies, was recognized with the Innovative New Employee from Nebraska Extension. The award was presented at the Extension Fall Conference Tuesday night and recognizes her contributions to professional development programming for early childhood education teachers.
Hatton-Bowers joined CEHS in 2016. She received her doctorate in human development from the University of California, Davis. Her primary areas of interest and scholarly activity include creating and implementing programs designed to enhance the quality of early childhood development and early care and education and to use strategies that cultivate resilience, compassion, and kindness among caregivers and families. Her work focuses on contemplative practices, such as reflection and mindfulness to promote child, teacher, and family well-being. Specifically, these practices are examined for how they improve parent and teacher capacity for sensitive and responsive caregiving; particularly in the context of stress, and with vulnerable populations of children. As an Extension Early Childhood Specialist, she is active in translating and disseminating current research findings in the areas of caregiving and health in early childhood using an interdisciplinary approach.