Rufaro A. Chitiyo is an Associate Professor in the School of Human Ecology at Tennessee Technological University. She holds a Ph. D. in Education—Exceptional Learning (with a focus on Young Children and Families). Her teaching portfolio spans undergraduate and graduate courses focused on a variety of family-related topics, research methods, and cultural competence. Dr. Chitiyo has published in peer-reviewed journals, co-edited a book, contributed chapters to several books, and has presented her work at numerous national and international conferences. She has also served as a co-principal investigator and senior personel on several funded grant projects. In addition to her academic roles, Dr. Chitiyo also serves on university and community committees. Her career reflects a deep commitment to advancing knowledge and its application in the field of family science.