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Photograph of Alison Chrisler

Alison Chrisler Professorial Lecturer and Director of Undergraduate Programs Health Studies

Degrees
Ph.D., Human Development and Family Studies, Michigan State University
M.A., Youth Development, Michigan State University
B.S., Child Life and Studies in Education, Edgewood College

Bio
Alison Chrisler is the Director of Undergraduate Programs in the Department of Health Studies. Dr. Chrisler is a Certified Child Life Specialist at Children's National Medical Center. She has over a decade of experience in program evaluation within the non-profit sector. Dr. Chrisler's research and evaluation expertise focuses on working with children, youth, and families that are often overlooked, with a special emphasis on hospitalized children, LGBTQIA people, and the aging community. Currently, her research focuses on developing a cost analysis of child life programs. Additionally, Dr. Chrisler is examining parental advocacy efforts when they have a child that identifies as lesbian, gay, or bisexual.

Dr. Chrisler holds a Ph.D. in Human Development and Families Studies and M.A. in Youth Development from Michigan State University. She was previously a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Faculty Fellow analyzing the identity development of undergraduate students in her queering health course. She was previously a DC Humanities Truck Fellow developing an intergenerational playgroup as an innovative community activity that promotes the health and wellbeing of seniors, as well as build community and reduce ageism among families who have children from birth to 5 years old. Additionally, Dr. Chrisler serves as the Executive Editor of The Journal of Child Life.
For the Media
To request an interview for a news story, call AU Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.

Teaching

Spring 2024

  • HLTH-480 Public Health Capstone

  • HLTH-494 Comm Service Learning Project: Public Health Capstone

Summer 2024

  • HLTH-651 Programming for Health Promotn

Fall 2024

  • HLTH-300 Queering Health

  • HLTH-480 Public Health Capstone