Our History

The Arizona Board of Regents approved the Institute for Children, Youth and Families (ICYF) in 1997 with the goal of drawing on campus and community expertise statewide to promote research and outreach on issues important to children, youth, and families.

The founding director of the ICYF was Dr. Mari Wilhelm, who served in that role until 2007, when she became the Deputy Director for the Center for Excellence in Women’s Health.

Stephen T. Russell, Professor and Fitch Nesbitt Endowed Chair, became the Institute Director in the summer of 2007 and led a Strategic Planning Committee that developed the current vision, mission, and goals for the Institute.

Thanks to the generous support by donors, the ICYF moved into its current location on the second floor of McClelland Park in 2008. In March 2009 the ICYF was dedicated in honor of Frances H. McClelland.