Brian Watkins

Brian is a part-time doctoral student in the department. His areas of interest include LGBTQ studies, race, gender, religion, and family. His research likely will focus on the social construction of family, fictive/self-selected kin as a response to oppression/exclusion, and the interplay of family and LGBTQ identity development. Brian has worked in higher education in a variety of administration and teaching roles for more than 20 years, and currently serves as the Director of Parent and Family Affairs at the University of Maryland. He is also an expert for NBC News Education Nation and an advisor for CampusESP. He frequently is invited to consult with colleges and universities, is a contributor to stories in local and national media, and is a published author on diversity issues in higher education. A first-generation college graduate, Brian earned a Master of Education degree in higher education and student affairs administration from The University of Vermont and a Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude in psychology from Hope College. Brian lives in Maryland with his husband, son, and their beloved pets.