overview

• Dr. Sharon M. Ballard has been at ECU for over 20 years and currently is Professor and Chair of the Department of Human Development and Family Science. Prior to earning her M.S. and Ph.D. in Child and Family Studies from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she taught Family and Consumer Sciences at the middle and high school levels for six years. Sharon was a faculty member for 12 years before becoming interim chair of what was then known as Child Development and Family Relations. After a year of being interim chair and participation in a national search, Sharon was selected as permanent department chair in 2013.
  Sharon's research has primarily centered around family life education programming and practice, parent education, and sexuality education. She been a certified family life educator (CFLE) through the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) since 1998 and has conducted a variety of family life education programs in community settings. She has over 50 published journal articles and book chapters, including her co-edited book Family Life Education with Diverse Populations and over 80 state, national, and international presentations.
  Sharon was recognized by NCFR for her work in family life education with two awards: the CFLE recognition award in 2012 and the Margaret E. Arcus Outstanding Family Life Educator Award in 2016. She has also been recognized at ECU with a variety of honors including the UNC Board of Governors Distinguished Professor for Teaching, ECU Woman of Distinction, ECU Treasured Pirate, and the HHP Wall of Fame.