Jennifer Mortensen

Jennifer Mortensen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science at the University of Nevada, Reno's College of Education and Human Development. As a Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE), she actively advocates for family and early care education policy while maintaining strong connections to practical applications through her prior experience as an Early Head Start infant/toddler teacher.

Education

• Ph.D. in Family Studies and Human Development, University of Arizona (2015)
• M.S. in Human Development and Family Science, University of Nevada, Reno (2009)
• B.S. in Early Childhood Education, University of Nevada, Reno

Research Focus

Dr. Mortensen employs ecological frameworks to investigate family wellbeing with emphasis on infants and toddlers. Her work examines risk/protective factors in parent-infant interactions, parental wellbeing, and infant socioemotional development within early care settings. She specializes in translating research into practice for economically disadvantaged families and those experiencing maltreatment through home visiting interventions.

Publication Trends

Her 2019-2023 publications reveal concentrated scholarship at the intersection of family life education and Early Head Start home visiting. Key themes include behavior guidance for infants/toddlers, socioemotional development promotion, and competency development for home visitors. The work demonstrates methodological diversity while consistently addressing contextual factors affecting vulnerable families and practical applications for practitioners.

Professional Recognition

• Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) credential

Academic Contributions

Dr. Mortensen teaches courses spanning family relationships, infant/toddler development, and early childhood education. Her scholarship directly informs policy advocacy and professional development initiatives, particularly through the Doris Duke Fellowship for the Promotion of Child Well-Being program. While specific advising details weren't provided, her research trajectory indicates active mentorship of students in family science and early childhood intervention.