Concordia University Ann Arbor announces Jennifer Fieten as the new child life coordinator within the popular family life program.
Fieten, who has over 21 years of experience working with children and families, having most recently served as a child life specialist within a pediatric palliative care and hospice program and as an instructor in an online child life program, has recently transplanted from Dolton, Illinois, to Ann Arbor to join the faculty at CUAA.
“I feel so blessed to have this opportunity,” Fieten explains. “This position is a culmination of all the things that I love and am passionate about. I can be a resource for students and help to prepare them for where they feel called; and I get to do that in this faith based community.”
The child life program is a minor or a “field” within the family life undergraduate program which is CUAA’s second most popular major, and one of only two universities in the Concordia University System to offer a program of its kind. Graduates of the program go on to serve children and families in a variety of healthcare and alternative settings providing psychosocial, emotional and developmental support during times of medical intervention, crisis, or hospitalization.
Housed within the School of Education, the family life program offers students the opportunity to specialize in one of four areas, including: community services, children’s ministry, youth ministry, and child life.
Fieten shares that CUAA students are in high-demand in the competitive child life specialist field. Current students have been accepted into practicum and internship placements both here in Michigan and as far as Pennsylvania. Students complete the program and are prepared to be servant leaders, serving children and families impacted by healthcare during sensitive and challenging times.
Fieten succeeds Professor Karna Doyle, a beloved CUAA educator who recently retired after 18 years teaching in the family life program.
It isn’t taking long for Fieten to get acclimated into the Ann Arbor way of life. Within weeks of her move, Fieten is already eating like a local; enjoying the many farmers’ markets and restaurants that students and fellow faculty members are excited to recommend.
For more about Concordia’s Family Life program click here.
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