Dr. Mikki L. Biggs
Professor Office: 2020 - Klehm HallPhone: 217-581-6374
Email: mlbiggs@eiu.edu
Website: http://www.eiu.edu/hscl
INTRODUCTION
Do you want to help people? If so, you have found the right major!
High-Impact learning is the key to programs in Human Services. Our students participate in experiential learning opportunities including practicum, service learning in the community, work-place internships, and study abroad opportunities. Graduates become leaders in a wide range of human services programs that improve quality of life for individuals, families and communities throughout the lifespan.
Our students leave with an interdisciplinary knowledge base as well as practical experience gained through course activities and a capstone internship Human Services provides a good foundation for a graduate degree in human services, aging studies, social work, or related fields. Watch for our new Social Work program – coming soon!
I'm always happy to talk about our programs. Contact me at mlbiggs@eiu.edu for more information, or to set up a campus tour.
Make your passion your profession with Human Services.
Spring 2026 COURSE SYLLABI
HSL 3831
Download SyllabusHSL 4820
Download SyllabusHSL 4850
Download SyllabusHSL 4860
Download SyllabusTeaching
Spring 2026:
HSL 3831 Women in Contemporary Society online
HSL 4820 Death & Dying
HSL 4850 Human Services Programs: Community, Culture, and Intersectionality online
HSL 4860 Addiciton and the Family online
Danville Correctional Center: HSL 2200 Introduction to Human Services
Summer 2026:
HSL 3850 Child and Adolescent Development
HSL 4860 Addiction and the Family
Danville Correctional Center
HSL 4820 Death & Dying
Office Hours
Office Hours
Mondays 5-7:30pm and 7:30-8pm
Tuesdays 11am-1pm
I’m also happy to meet through Zoom evenings and weekends as available.
Academic Positions
Professor, Department of Human Services
Education & Training
PhD, School of Education, Early Childhood Education/Child Psychology, Indiana State University, 2002
Dissertation: White Teachers, White Children, White Schools: Multiculturalism in Geographically Homogeneous Communities (under Michelle L. Meadows)
MS, Family and Consumer Sciences (Family/Human Services), Eastern Illinois University, 1997
Thesis: Computer Use, Exposure and Experience, and Gender Issues among Preschool Children (Meadows)
BA, Board of Governors (now Interdisciplinary Studies), Eastern Illinois University, 1996
Professional Development:
Death Education - February 2026
Organ Donation: Ethical and Legal Challenges - February 2026
Teaching Neurodiverse Students - February 2026
Unlocking the Power of Generative AI with ChatGPT for Higher Education – December 2025
Autism and Neurodiversity: Building Your Child's Strengths – December 2025
Embracing the Whole Person in Social Work – November 2025
Bias and Discrimination in AI – July 2025
Valuing Diverse Perspectives in Social Work – January 2025
Disability and Digital Media: Accessibility, Representation and Inclusion – January 2025
Embracing the Whole Person in Social Work – June 2024
Safe Zone – June 2023
Youth Mental Health 1st Aid Trainer – July 2023
Race, Gender, and Workplace Equity Professional Certificate – March 2023
· Unconscious Bias: From Awareness to Action
· Communication Skills for Dialoging Across Differences
· Facing Racism and Emotional Tax in the Workplace
· Understanding Gender Equity
Happiness at Work Professional Certificate – February 2022
· Foundations of Happiness at Work
· Mindfulness and Resiliency to Stress at Work
· Empathy and Emotional Intelligence at Work
The Science and Practice of Yoga – Spring 2020
Social Work: Practice, Policy and Research Micro-Masters University of Michigan through EdX – Fall 2018
- Social Welfare: Policy and Services
- Social Work Practice in Community Organization, Management and Policy/Evaluation
- Diversity and Social Justice in Social Work
- Social Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change
- Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families and Small Groups
- Social Work Research
State of Illinois Granting Writing online course, October 2016
Illinois State Food Sanitation Production Management Certification, 2015, 2020
Framework for Understanding Poverty Training, April 2009
Frequently Taught Courses
HSL 3831 Women in Contemporary Society
HSL 3500 Child and Adolescent Development
HSL 4820 Death & Dying
HSL 4845 Resiliency and the Family
HSL 4850 Human Services Programs: Community, Culture, Intersectionality
HSL 4860 Addiction and the Family
Adapted courses to teach at Danville Correctional Center:
HSL 1800 Human Development
HSL 2200 Introduction to Human Services
HSL 2820 Family Relationships
HSL 3831 Women in Contemporary Society
HSL 4240 Family Policy, Advocacy, and Law
HSL 4850 Human Services Programs: Community, Culture, Intersectionality
HSL 4860 Addiction and the Family
Developed: IDS 4240 Parenting while Incarcerated
Professional Affiliations
Diplomate, American Board of Sexology, 2022-present
Certified Sexologist, American Board of Sexology, 2024-present
Gateways to Opportunity Early Childhood Credentials – registry member 2003-present
Level IV Early Childhood Education Credential – January 2023
Level V Family Specialist Credential – December 2022
Lifetime Member - National Association for the Education of Young Children
Association for Death Education and Counseling
Funding & Grants
Eastern Illinois University Redden Fund Grant, 2008, 2013, 2025
School of Family & Consumer Sciences Winkleblack Grant, 2009 (2), 2010, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2024, 2025 (2)
Coordinated Department of Human Services contribution to the ECACE Scholarship Grant 2022-2024
Eastern Illinois University Faculty Development Support Grant, 2008, 2015
Gateways for Opportunity Professional Development Grant, 2014
Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies Professional Development Grant, Fall 2007
Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies Accreditation Grant both Spring and Fall of 2006
Illinois State Quality Counts Spring 2005
Eastern Illinois University Technology Enhancement and Management (TEAM) Grant, Spring 2005
Eastern Illinois University Technology Enhancement and Management (TEAM) Grant, Spring 2004
Eastern Illinois University Redden Grant, with Michelle Morgan, Summer 2003
Indiana State University Graduate Research Grant, Fall 2001 and Spring 2002
Great Lakes Head Start Quality Network Grant, November, 2001
Technology Enhanced and Delivered Education Grant, February, 2001
Instructional Technology Enhancement Grant with Frances Murphy and Lisa Dallas, December 2000
Instructional Technology Enhancement Grant with Frances Murphy and Lisa Dallas, Eastern Illinois University, December 1998
Conference Presentations
Most recent 10 years:
ECACE Workgroup Navigator Informational Session April 2025, presentation Early Childhood Program Administration at EIU
EIU/ECE Literacy Series January 2024, presentation with Jennifer Buchter Culturally Inclusive Books for Young Children
Illinois Council on Family Relations Annual Conference April 2024, presentation with Julie Harper Supporting Early Childhood Care Providers through the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equilty Act (ECACE)
Department of Human Services Living Learning Community April 2023, presentation and wellness session Peaceful Poses
Freshman Orientation sessions Summer 2023, presentation entitled Navigating the College Classroom
Illinois Council on Family Relations Annual Conference March 2023, poster presentation entitled Professionalism in the Digital Age: Managing Your Online Identity in the New Normal
Illinois Council on Family Relations Annual Conference March 2023, poster presentation with Julie Harper entitled Gender Role Development in Young Children
Illinois Council on Family Relations Annual Conference March 2023, poster presentation with graduate student Bailey Schumacher entitled Addressing Death & Dying with Young Children
Illinois Council on Family Relations Annual Conference March 2022, presentation with graduate student Ruby Amanda Oboro-Offerie entitled The Transgender Population: Expanding Access to Services
Illinois Council on Family Relations Annual Conference, April 2019, presentation with graduate student Dora Tandoh entitled Forming Communities of Support: Intergenerational Relationships in the LGBTQ Population
Court Appointed State Advocate (CASA) State Conference, April 2019, presentation with graduate student Dora Tandoh entitled The LGBTQ Population: Expanding Access to Services
Gateways to Opportunity Higher Education Forum, April 2019, presentation entitled Cultivating Social Competence in Young Children: Purposeful Guidance Techniques to Help Children Manage Conflict with Peers
Illinois Council on Family Relations Annual Conference, April 2018, presentation with graduate student Sarah Dodoo entitled Behind the Scenes: The Brooke Ellison Story
Illinois Council on Family Relations Annual Conference, April 2018, presentation with graduate student Kaycee Lewis entitled Children Need Men Too! Supporting Resiliency in Young Children through Relationships with Male Caregivers
Opening Minds Annual Conference, February 2018, presentation entitled Building Social Resilience in Young Children: Purposeful Guidance Techniques to Address Bullying and Develop Resiliency in Early Childhood
Illinois Association of Family & Consumer Sciences, October 2017, presentation entitled Building Social Resilience in Young Children: Purposeful Guidance Techniques to Address Bullying and Develop Resiliency in Early Childhood
Eastern Illinois University Graduate Student Advisory Committee invited speaker, May 2017, Your Electronic Footprint
Family, Career and Community Leaders (FCCLA) Annual Meeting, November 2016, interactive presentation and exhibit entitled making your Passion your Profession: Using FCCLA to Prepare for your Future
Eastern Illinois University Student Research and Creative Discovery Conference, Spring 2016, faculty mentor for Resa Ware’s (EIU Graduate Student) presentation The Impact of Social Media on the Grieving Process
Student Association of Family & Consumer Sciences Membership Meeting, March 2016, presentation entitled Digital Tattoos: You are what you Post
Eastern Illinois University recruitment events as needed Spring 2016-present, presentation entitled Academic Highlights: A Professor's Perspective
EIU panel on women’s reproductive rights; screening “No Mas Bebes,” January, 2016
My EIU Story
My family has strong ties to Eastern Illinois University. All of my parents and three of my grandparents attended college here. Two of my grandmothers taught elementary school for many years, while my father instilled in me a love of history during his 30-year career as a high school teacher. My stepfather introduced me to important literature as a high school English teacher, and my stepmother taught me to drive as a driver's ed instructor. My mother taught business courses intermittently, thankfully unrelated to my studies. Currently, my sister and I are teaching, and my older son works at Colorado State University.
Having a family history at EIU has given me numerous educational advantages for which I am truly grateful. I love my job and appreciate the opportunities it has provided me.