{"id":6768,"date":"2025-01-23T19:43:44","date_gmt":"2025-01-23T19:43:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/?p=6768"},"modified":"2025-03-31T11:39:07","modified_gmt":"2025-03-31T15:39:07","slug":"faculty-spotlight-wilmu-program-director-dr-debra-berke-wins-the-jan-trost-award","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/2025\/01\/23\/faculty-spotlight-wilmu-program-director-dr-debra-berke-wins-the-jan-trost-award\/","title":{"rendered":"Faculty Spotlight: WilmU Program Director Dr. Debra Berke Wins the Jan Trost Award\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.kadence-column6768_1c014e-25 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);}.kadence-column6768_1c014e-25 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column6768_1c014e-25 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column6768_1c014e-25 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column6768_1c014e-25 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column6768_1c014e-25 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column6768_1c014e-25 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column6768_1c014e-25{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column6768_1c014e-25 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kadence-column6768_1c014e-25 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column6768_1c014e-25\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p>\u201cGrattis\u201d! That\u2019s Swedish for congratulations, as Wilmington University applauds <strong>Dr. Debra Berke<\/strong>, winner of the Jan Trost Award. Named for a Swedish sociologist, it \u201crecognizes outstanding contributions in international family studies.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI was surprised. I was shocked. I was honored,\u201d says Dr. Berke, the director of WilmU\u2019s Psychology programs and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/cps\/index.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Center for Prevention Science<\/a>. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The International Section of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncfr.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Council on Family Relations (NCFR)<\/a> presented the award at its annual meeting in November. A longtime member and certified family life educator, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncfr.org\/news\/debra-l-berke-elected-new-ncfr-president-elect\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dr. Berke<\/a> is the president-elect of the NCFR board of directors and a trailblazer in <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/2024\/03\/11\/wilmu-trailblazing-professor-propels-trauma-informed-approaches-into-the-spotlight\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">trauma-informed approaches<\/a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI think international family studies is important because we\u2019re a global society, especially with technology now,\u201d she says. \u201cThe world is shrinking, and it\u2019s so easy to know about, to learn about, to have access to families around the globe.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. Berke\u2019s many achievements include developing the University\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/behavioralscience\/dss.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Doctor of Social Science in Prevention Science<\/a> degree program, serving on the board of <a href=\"https:\/\/traumamattersdelaware.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Trauma Matters Delaware<\/a>, and addressing global concerns through research and presentations. Like the late <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncfr.org\/news\/memoriam-jan-trost#:~:text=Jan%20Trost%2C%20Ph.,families%2C%20alcohol%2C%20and%20disasters.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dr. Jan Trost<\/a>, who was an author and professor at Uppsala University, she has furthered the field and improved countless peoples\u2019 lives.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Making an Impact in International Family Studies&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMy contributions to international family studies have come through teaching, through mentorship and through prevention work. They\u2019ve spanned my 30-plus-year career in family science,\u201d Dr. Berke says. \u201cIt is helping families not only survive but thrive and preparing individuals to work with families so that families can be the best versions of themselves.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In letters to the award committee, her colleagues expressed their admiration.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDr. Berke has a dedicated commitment to international affairs and the support of international students,\u201d writes <strong>Dr. Mary Kay Keller<\/strong>, WilmU\u2019s chair of Applied Family Science.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDr. Berke\u2019s scholarship is family-focused and provides evidence of sustained commitment to international family research, teaching and service,\u201d writes <strong>Dr. Raeann Hamon<\/strong>, a distinguished professor of Family Science and Gerontology at Messiah University.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDr. Berke has highly devoted to increase intercultural competence in students and professionals by giving a special attention to international issues and global perspective in teaching and training,\u201d writes <strong>Dr. Yan Ruth Xia<\/strong>, a professor of Child, Youth and Family Studies at University of Nebraska-Lincoln.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ability to respectfully and effectively communicate with people from other cultures is an integral part of WilmU\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/behavioralscience\/applied-family-science-master.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Family Science<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/behavioralscience\/dss.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Prevention Science<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/behavioralscience\/psychology.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Psychology<\/a> programs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re preparing our students well. Even if they haven\u2019t traveled to a variety of countries, when they are exposed to families from different countries, they\u2019re practicing cultural competence principles. They\u2019re coming from a position of cultural humility,\u201d Dr. Berke says. \u201cThey have the knowledge, skills, attitudes, values and beliefs that help them work well with families.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id6768_d6c848-9d{margin-top:0em;}.kb-row-layout-id6768_d6c848-9d > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:center;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id6768_d6c848-9d > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:center;}.kb-row-layout-id6768_d6c848-9d > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );max-width:var( --global-content-width, 1290px );padding-left:var(--global-content-edge-padding);padding-right:var(--global-content-edge-padding);padding-top:0em;padding-right:0em;padding-bottom:0em;padding-left:0em;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}.kb-row-layout-id6768_d6c848-9d{border-top:1px solid #eeeeee;border-right:1px solid #eeeeee;border-bottom:1px solid #eeeeee;border-left:1px solid rgba(238,238,238,0);}.kb-row-layout-id6768_d6c848-9d > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id6768_d6c848-9d > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id6768_d6c848-9d{border-top:1px solid #eeeeee;border-right:1px solid #eeeeee;border-bottom:1px solid #eeeeee;border-left:1px solid rgba(238,238,238,0);}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kb-row-layout-id6768_d6c848-9d > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id6768_d6c848-9d{border-top:1px solid #eeeeee;border-right:1px solid #eeeeee;border-bottom:1px solid #eeeeee;border-left:1px solid rgba(238,238,238,0);}}.wu-text-col,.wu-img-col {\tmin-height: 114px;}.wu-text-col > div,.wu-img-col > div {\tflex: 1;}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id6768_d6c848-9d alignnone FULL wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-right-golden kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-middle kb-theme-content-width\">\n<style>.kadence-column6768_4b7682-ba > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column6768_4b7682-ba > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column6768_4b7682-ba > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column6768_4b7682-ba > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );}.kadence-column6768_4b7682-ba > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column6768_4b7682-ba > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column6768_4b7682-ba > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column6768_4b7682-ba > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column6768_4b7682-ba > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}.kadence-column6768_4b7682-ba > .kt-inside-inner-col{background-color:var(--global-palette9, #ffffff);}.kadence-column6768_4b7682-ba > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column6768_4b7682-ba{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column6768_4b7682-ba > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column6768_4b7682-ba > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column6768_4b7682-ba > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column6768_4b7682-ba > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column6768_4b7682-ba > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kadence-column6768_4b7682-ba > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column6768_4b7682-ba > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column6768_4b7682-ba > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column6768_4b7682-ba > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column6768_4b7682-ba > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}.kadence-column6768_4b7682-ba figure.image-is-svg {-webkit-margin-after: 1em;  margin-block-end: 1em;}img[src$=\".svg\"] {  max-width: 220px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column6768_4b7682-ba kb-section-dir-horizontal wu-img-col\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image6768_14ddda-99:not(.kb-image-is-ratio-size) .kb-img, .kb-image6768_14ddda-99.kb-image-is-ratio-size{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kb-image6768_14ddda-99 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image6768_14ddda-99 image-is-svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"350\" height=\"125\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/wilmu-logo-sbs1.svg\" alt=\"College of Social &amp; Behavioral Sciences logo\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-13300\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column6768_ce769f-68 > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column6768_ce769f-68 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);}.kadence-column6768_ce769f-68 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column6768_ce769f-68 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;align-items:stretch;}.kadence-column6768_ce769f-68 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:stretch;}.kadence-column6768_ce769f-68 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .wp-block-kadence-advancedgallery{align-self:stretch;}.kadence-column6768_ce769f-68 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column6768_ce769f-68{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column6768_ce769f-68{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column6768_ce769f-68 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column6768_ce769f-68 > .kt-inside-inner-col{background-color:#eeeeee;}.kadence-column6768_ce769f-68 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column6768_ce769f-68{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column6768_ce769f-68{align-self:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column6768_ce769f-68{align-self:auto;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column6768_ce769f-68 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column6768_ce769f-68 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;align-items:stretch;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column6768_ce769f-68{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column6768_ce769f-68{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column6768_ce769f-68 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column6768_ce769f-68 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;align-items:stretch;}}.kt-row-column-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-column {align-self: stretch;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column6768_ce769f-68 kb-section-dir-vertical wu-text-col\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p><em>Interested in international family studies? Learn from pioneering professors like Dr. Debra Berke in WilmU\u2019s <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/behavioralscience\/indexs.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>College of Social and Behavioral Sciences<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cGrattis\u201d! That\u2019s Swedish for congratulations, as Wilmington University applauds Dr. Debra Berke, winner of the Jan Trost Award. Named for a Swedish sociologist, it \u201crecognizes&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":13341,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[280,288,851,852,853,854,112,113,14,15],"class_list":["post-6768","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-news","tag-college-of-social-behavioral-science","tag-doctor-of-social-science-in-prevention-science","tag-dr-debra-berke","tag-jan-trost-award","tag-national-council-on-family-relations","tag-ncfr","tag-trauma-matters-delaware","tag-trauma-informed-approach","tag-wilmington-university","tag-wilmu"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":2,"label":"ACADEMIC NEWS"}],"post_tag":[{"value":280,"label":"College of Social &amp; 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