Ida Balderrama-Trudell is looking to build on community connections through human development and family sciences lens
In 1998, Ida Balderrama-Trudell received her bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies, now Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS). Today she serves as the director of equity and innovation at the Overture Center for the Arts.
The Overture Center for the Arts is a performing arts center and art gallery in Madison, Wisconsin. The center features seven performance spaces and five galleries where thousands of tourists visit from all over the nation. Some visitors come through from community and education programs that offer free or low-cost admission. The center aims to provide an exciting experience for visitors and showcase expressive art forms to the community.
In her current role, Balderrama-Trudell says she loves interacting with the people that come through the Overture. Her career allows her to make connections and show visitors the creative culture through art. Balderrama-Trudell says she said she enjoys working in positions related to programs that support historically marginalized and underserved individuals.
"I truly enjoy interacting with folx and connecting them with others who can assist or have similar goals and vision," Balderrama-Trudell said. "Working in the equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) space for over 20 years has been highly rewarding."
As a Human Development and Family Sciences major, students learn to understand the science of development focusing on relationships. The focus on individuals and relationships makes the program unique and valuable for careers that serve communities. Balderrama-Trudell says that the HDFS degree has helped her form those connections and expand equity, diversity and inclusion in any role she has.
"Given that I have both a bachelor's and master's degree in the field, there has never been a role, situation, or person I have not viewed through my HDFS lens," Balderrama-Trudell said.
HDFS students learn valuable skills from established educators that they can use in any profession. The Human Development and Family Sciences faculty offer significant expertise in the field and work intentionally with students. Balderrama-Trudell says she uses the experience and knowledge that she learned from HDFS faculty members in her current role.
"I am so fortunate to have had an incredible advisor in HDFS and two phenomenal women of color faculty who impacted my trajectory- Dr. Yvonne Caldera and former faculty member, Dr. Jennie Ward Robinson," Balderrama-Trudell said.
Her experience in the HDFS program allows her to form impactful relationships with everyone she interacts with and help increase equity, diversity and inclusion. The Human Development and Family Sciences program prepares students for future careers and inspires them to make the community a better place.