Dr. Alethea Rollins

 

Education:

• Ph.D., Human Development and Family Studies, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2009
• M.S., Human Development and Family Studies, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2002
• B.A., Psychology, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, 1996

Brief statement on professional interests/experiences:

Dr. Alethea Rollins is a Senior Instructional Faculty member in Human Development and Family Science at the University of Central Missouri. Her work centers on multiracial families, racial identity development, and racial socialization across the lifespan. She integrates research, teaching, and community engagement to support culturally responsive practice among professionals working with children and families.

Dr. Rollins has extensive experience in both academic and applied settings, including postdoctoral research focused on community-based family programs, cultural competence training, and parent education initiatives. Her teaching spans undergraduate and graduate courses in child and adolescent development, family relationships, and family diversity. She also serves as a consultant, providing training and resources to support families and practitioners.

Publications:

Rollins, A., & Roy, R. N. (2025). A year of growth and understanding: A journal for multiracial families. Self-published. 

Roy, R. N. & Rollins, A. (2024). Multiracial Asian American Families. In C. Su-Russell, L. T. Russell & A. G. James, Jr. (Eds.), Handbook of Asian American Families. San Diego, CA: Cognella. 

Roy, R. N. & Rollins, A. (2022). Dual Realities: The Unique and Multilayered Experiences in Multiracial Families. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 31, 623-628. 

Roy, R. N. & Rollins, A. (2022). Multiracial Families: The Challenges, Strengths, and Work that Remains Introduction to the Special Section. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 31, 599-608. 

Anthony, J., Rollins, A., & Roy, R. N. (2022). Special Section Conclusion: Future Directions of Multiracial Families. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 31, 735-739. 

Roy, R. N. & Rollins, A. (Eds.). (2019). Biracial families: Crossing boundaries, blending cultures, and challenging racial ideologies. New York, NY: Springer. 

Rollins, A. (2019). Racial socialization: A developmental perspective. In R. Nazarinia Roy & A. Rollins (Eds.), Biracial families: Crossing boundaries, blending cultures, and challenging racial ideologies. New York, NY: Springer. 

Roy, R. N. & Rollins, A. (2019). An Introduction and Review of the Race Factor in America. In Nazarinai Roy, R. & Rollins, A. (Eds.) Biracial Families: Crossing Boundaries, Blending Cultures, and Challenging Racial Ideologies. New York, NY: Springer. 

Rollins, A. & Roy, R. N. (2019). Reflections & New Directions. In Nazarinai Roy, R. & Rollins, A. (Eds.) Biracial Families: Crossing Boundaries, Blending Cultures, and Challenging Racial Ideologies. New York, NY: Springer. 

Roy, R. N. & Rollins, A. (2018). Biracial Families: Growth and Change. NCFR Report.

Her work also includes edited volumes, book chapters, and manuscripts currently under review that continue to advance scholarship on multiracial family experiences.

Presentations:

Dr. Rollins regularly presents her research at national and international conferences. Recent presentations include:

Rollins, A. & Roy, R. N. (2026, February). Reflective Journaling as a Critical Tool for Multiracial Family Resilience. Presented at Critical Mixed Race Studies Conference, Los Angeles, CA. 

Aaron, L. & Rollins, A. (2025, November). Hair Care Experiences, Self-Esteem, and Racial Identity in Black Mixed-Race Individuals. Poster presented at the annual conference of the National Council on Family Relations, Baltimore, MD. 

Csizmadia, A., Roy, R. N., Rollins, A. & Atkin, A. (2022, February). Parenting Multiracial Children: Understanding Diverse Lived Experiences and (the Limitations of) Existent Research. Presented at (Virtual) Critical Mixed Race Studies Conference. 

Rollins, A. (2020, November). Talking about Race with Children. Paper presented at (Virtual) CA State University-Long Beach Annual Student Leadership Conference, Long Beach, CA. 

Blanchard, S. & Rollins, A. (2020, June). Can we talk about more than race? Paper accepted for presentation at the Teaching in Family Science Conference. Asheville, NC. [Conference canceled due to the pandemic.]

Roy, R. N., Rollins, A. (2019, November). Bi/Multiracial Families’ Transition to Parenthood: An Overview of the Challenges, Strengths, and Work That Remains. In Perry-Jenkins, M. (Chair), Family Processes in Bi/Multiracial Families: Unique Strengths and Challenges. Symposium paper session presented at the National Council on Family Relations, Fort Worth, TX. 

Rollins, A. & Blanchard, S. (2017, June). Crayon Conversations: Teaching Undergraduate Students How to Talk to Young Children about Race. Paper presented at the Teaching in Family Science Conference. Paradise Island, Bahamas.

Her earlier work includes numerous presentations at leading conferences in human development and family science, with a sustained focus on racial identity, family processes, and culturally responsive education.

Awards:

Nominee, Faculty Mentor Award, Office of Undergraduate Research, University of Central Missouri, 2026

Dr. Rollins was nominated for her sustained mentorship of undergraduate researchers, including her work with the McNair Scholars Program. Her mentoring approach emphasizes accessibility, encouragement, and the integration of culturally relevant research topics, supporting students in producing meaningful scholarship and engaging in professional dissemination activities.