Board of Directors

Executive Director

Jessika Boles, PhD, CCLS

University: Vanderbilt University

Professional Interests: My longstanding clinical interests have been oncology (especially adolescents and young adults), pediatric intensive care, children with medical complexity and their families, and end-of-life care (specifically legacy building). As an academic, I am passionate about experiential learning opportunities, innovating child life training pathways, and expanding the child life research foundation.

Why I'm part of CLAS: There’s nowhere else I would rather be. I find joy and energy in the interconnections of teaching, research, and clinical practice; this is the perfect organization for me to funnel these together for the benefit of child life students and emerging professionals.

I'm passionate about the work CLAS is doing because: I was once a child life student myself and I remember how difficult it was to access information and support along my journey. I had the benefit of an amazing academic mentor who really saw my potential, and I see the work of CLAS as invaluable in assuring every rising child life professional has access to that kind of support.

President

Jeanine Clapsaddle, MA, LMFT, CCLS

University: University of Minnesota

Professional Interests: Culturally competent and relevant care, the work of Child Life Specialists in the promotion of positive lifetime health engagement through the use of atraumatic care and therapeutic relationships,

Why I'm part of CLAS: As a member of CLAS, I can continue to be abreast of the most current educational resources and information that impact student outcomes. Through my participation, it is my hope to contribute to the advancement of the CLAS initiatives and outcomes which focus on student learning and experiences. I also hope that through my membership I model for my students the importance of being invested in the profession so they will continue on to volunteer for committees and workgroups across the profession.

I'm passionate about the work CLAS is doing because: As a clinician, a leader and an educator I believe in the importance of using evidence to support best practice outcomes. The work that CLAS is doing to set academic best practice standards based on current evidence that supports optimal student experiences is thrilling.

President-Elect

Michelle Minyard-Widmann, MS, CCLS

University: Loma Linda University

Professional Interest: My professional interest is in advancing academic and professional programming that strengthens faculty development, enhances curriculum quality, and upholds child life best practices. Through my work in child life education, and leadership, I am deeply committed to promoting social justice efforts that foster emotional safety and create supportive learning environments for all learners.

Why I’m part of CLAS: My professional career began thirty-two years ago as a child life specialist at a children’s hospital in Southern California and when I shifted fully over to academia, I was seeking meaningful engagement with the academic community. I value mentorship and collegial collaboration to support the child life profession.

I’m passionate about the work CLAS is doing because: I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to engage in future collaborations that will align with our academic best practices and move us towards pursuing a formal accreditation of academic programs.

Immediate Past President

Katie Glass, EdD, CCLS

University: Edgewood University

Professional Interests: Some of my professional interests include leader development, networking, mentorship, academic growth, child life training pathways, and curriculum development. My clinical focus has been in trauma, burn and critical care. As previous internship coordinator in my clinical roles I enjoy mentoring clinical staff into supervisors, leaders within their current positions and succession planning.

Why I'm part of CLAS: I’m part of CLAS because I want to represent the building block of child life which is academics. I find it to be such a privilege to work in higher education representing child life and leading a program. CLAS representants the important role the child life academics play, gives credibility to our profession, and enhances accessibility for students. I’m excited to be part of it and for what is to come!

I'm passionate about the work CLAS is doing because: The opportunities that CLAS will provide to our industry, inspires and motivates me. I believe we can make greater change and advancement in our field than ever before, with the expertise of our members, the partnerships we are forging, and the accessibility and representation we are bringing to students.

Emeriti and Membership Representative

Anita Pumphrey, MS, CCLS

University: Retired, Louisiana Tech University

Professional Interests: Throughout my 30 year teaching career, I was a determined advocate for high standards in child life education and recognition for strong academic programs! Through the ups and downs of this journey, I remain committed, even in retirement, to contribute what I can to ensure these successes in our profession.

Why I'm part of CLAS: Although I retired from the classroom, I am still very interested in continuing to work on all things related to child life education. I am thankful that through CLAS, and with the support of the membership, I am able to contribute to work that is near and dear to my heart even as a retiree! It is my dream to see a sustainable and meaningful recognition for strong academic programs providing excellence in teaching and preparing students for the profession that has meant so much to me!

I'm passionate about the work CLAS is doing because: I have always believed that when students select an academic program at a university, they should have the assurance that that program will provide a challenging path of learning and preparing for clinical experiences. Those of us who have been in the field for a long time remember the days when a student did not have to have taken a child life class, been taught by a CCLS, or even have read a child life textbook to apply for an internship. We’ve come a long way but we still have a way to go and I am grateful for the work CLAS is doing to continue to support students in reaching their dreams of becoming highly competent child life specialists!

Public Director

Melinda Anderson, PhD, RDN, LDN

University: Tennessee Tech University

Professional Interests: Higher Education Accreditation processes

Why I'm part of CLAS: To be part of the process of enhancing the educational preparation of Child Life students.

I'm passionate about the work CLAS is doing because: It is exciting to see the academic professionals of child life coming together to provide processes and direction to the educational preparation of students.