Katherine Allen, professor of human development and family science in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of professor emerita by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.

The emerita title may be conferred on retired professors, associate professors, and administrative officers who are specially recommended to the board by Virginia Tech President Tim Sands in recognition of exemplary service to the university. Nominated individuals who are approved by the board receive a copy of the resolution and a certificate of appreciation.

A member of the Virginia Tech community since 1989, Allen has advanced critical areas of research, assessment, and theory through her scholarship on family diversity, family gerontology, feminist family studies, and LGBTQ families. She has written eight books and more than 200 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and reviews. About 40 percent of her published articles have included her current or former students.

Allen has received many professional honors and awards, including the Ernest W. Burgess Award for Outstanding Scholarly and Career Achievement in the Study of Families, and the Alexis J. Walker Award for Lifetime Achievement in Feminist Family Studies from the National Council on Family Relations.

In the classroom, Allen taught both at the undergraduate and graduate level. She advised numerous graduate students on master’s and doctoral degree dissertations, helping them develop successful careers in both academic and clinical settings. In 2015, she received Virginia Tech’s Alumni Award for Excellence in Graduate Academic Advising.

Allen received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree and Ph.D. from Syracuse University.