Human Services Archives - �۶�ֱ�� University

Penning Encouragement: GWU Students Unite to Share Faith Through Devotional

Office of University Communications — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 16:31:02 +0000

Senior Emma Kate Harrison Leads a New Devotional Initiative, Inviting the GWU Community to Write Reflections on Identity, Faith, and Encouragement

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The Writing Ministry of �۶�ֱ�� Campus Ministries United offers events throughout the semester to encourage students to write notes of encouragement to special people in their lives or leave an inspirational note for a stranger to pick up. Led by her passion for writing, senior Emma Kate Harrison, became the Writing Ministry coordinator last year.

A human services major from Robbinsville, N.C., Harrison started writing as a private way to process her grief and other emotions after her stepfather died in 2020. Four years later, she decided to share her thoughts publicly and created an Instagram page called “Embracing the Endeavor.”

She explained, “I made it very clear that I wanted to use my story to help others, and that’s the only reason I’m willing to share my story. I will tell you anything so that you can be encouraged and feel validated in your emotions. It’s been cool to see how the Lord’s working in other people’s lives because of my story.”

As she thought about how writing impacts both the author and the reader, Harrison had an idea for a different Writing Ministry project: a printed devotional written by the GWU community. “Through this devotional, it is my prayer that our campus will be reminded of who they are because of what Jesus has done,” she shared. “The theme is Identity in Christ, and what that looks like as a college student. We are quick to put our identity in school work or in the sports we play or the friendships or the relationships, but when our identity is in Christ, those things are an exciting overflow not a pressure to perform.”

Her goal is to have the devotional ready by April so that students will have them to read over the summer. “You have all these resources when you’re at college,” she related, “Your friends who love Jesus, so many church things and ministry events on campus. But when you transition home, you are on your own. Having a devotional with students from �۶�ֱ�� and a few faculty and staff can jump start you into summer.”

Harrison wants 30 submissions and needs 10 more. One participant, Troy Berchoff, a sophomore English major with a minor in biblical studies, has written five devotions for the project. “When Emma Kate informed me of the devotional she was planning, I was greatly enthused,” he stated. “What better way to be encouraged with small thoughts from the community surrounding you? I love writing, and it helps me explore and expound upon my relationship with God, so I want to point others to a similar attitude of reflection and understanding. Also, I believe that if any scriptural wisdom or insight is imparted on us, we are blessed if we give that to others. God gives every good and perfect gift because it contains Himself in it and is useful for edification and worship.”

Support from students like Berchoff has brought Harrison close to her goal, yet she continues to welcome new submissions to complete the collection. She will be taking submissions until March 20. To participate, fill out this . For more information, visit the GWU Writing Ministry on or email Harrison at eharrison3@gardner-webb.edu.

�۶�ֱ�� University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., �۶�ֱ�� prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Become More at .

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‘Mission in Action’: �۶�ֱ�� Human Services Students use Skills to Propose Nonprofit Ideas

Office of University Communications — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 14:30:50 +0000

Organizations Created by Students Show Their Commitment to Meeting Needs in The Community

Ready to Start Your Bachelor’s in Human Services? Apply before March 7

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The final project in Dr. Erin Cook’s upper-level human services course, “Understanding Nonprofit Organizations,” requires her students to apply everything they learned during the semester. “They present to me a nonprofit they would like to start as if I were an investor in their organization,” explained Cook, assistant professor and program coordinator for human services. “This year’s group was absolutely outstanding.”

Students created organizations to tackle the needs that meant the most to them. The ideas included helping to rebuild a mountain community after Helene, starting a domestic violence advocacy group and developing a children’s group focused on deaf and hard of hearing kids. “I feel as if their work was �۶�ֱ��’s mission in action,” Cook affirmed. “This helps to show how the work in the classroom can make a major difference in the professional lives of the students and sets them up for making a positive impact in their community.”

Qualified students who are interested in serving their communities can begin their online bachelor’s in human services by applying before the next start date: March 7.

While completing her degree, December 2024 graduate Cynthia Chisholm was able to use information she learned in class to help her on the job as a program director and peer support specialist at Green Tree Peer Center. “I chose �۶�ֱ�� because it offered me the opportunity to fully complete my degree online,” she offered. “I appreciate the fact that although I am an off-campus student, I always had access to my professors. Any questions or concerns that I had were always addressed and answered promptly.”

Cynthia Chisholm, left, named her non-profit idea after her grandmother, Maggie.

The non-profit Chisholm proposed was Maggie’s House, a place that will provide a safe place and assistance to women and children who are experiencing domestic violence. “While at Maggie’s House, they will have the opportunity to regain control of their lives and be given the opportunity to further their education, learn new employable skills, meet with counselors, therapists, and be empowered and simply heal,” she described. “Along their journey, guests will have the opportunity to enter a financial literacy program that would assist them in saving money for a down payment on a new home for themselves and their children upon their exit from Maggie’s House.”

A survivor of domestic violence, Chisholm named her non-profit after her grandmother (Maggie), who gave her a safe place to stay when she needed to escape. “I am just thankful for an opportunity to share a piece of my dream with others that have a heart for helping,” she stated. “I hope that not only my non-profit comes to life but also all the other non-profit ideas as well.”

Emma Kate Harrison participates in various service organizations on campus. At left, she is leading a devotion, and at right, she poses with bags for foster children that were donated as part of a project she organized.

Emma Kate Harrison, a student who will graduate in May 2026, developed “Hope Haven: A Faith-Based Intensive Treatment House.” Her non-profit organization would provide therapeutic treatment in a supportive home environment. “This non-profit would have one young adult at a time come into the home (Hope Haven) for four to eight weeks, depending on their need, to have intensive treatment to foster their healing and treatment process,” Harrison explained. “While they are receiving this professional treatment, they will have in-home Christian volunteers, who have the role of ensuring their safety, showing them what a loving home looks like and intentionally encouraging their walk with Jesus.”

Harrison is involved in ministry opportunities at GWU and Venture Church in Dallas, N.C. She believes the church should support those who struggle with mental health issues. “I feel very strongly about bridging the gap between the church and mental health,” she asserted, “This is a way that I could facilitate people becoming unified in their efforts of helping other individuals.”

Jessica Bridges, a freelance ASL interpreter, created a non-profit to help Deaf and Hard of Hearing children and their families.

Another student in the class, Jessica Bridges also created a non-profit to solve a problem that she cares about. Bridges will finish her bachelor’s degree in human services in the summer and has already enrolled in �۶�ֱ��’s accelerated master’s program in public administration.

A freelance American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter, Bridges works mainly in education and also works part time for a Video Relay Service (VRS) company. “I love my job and working with the Deaf community,” she affirmed.

She chose to finish her bachelor’s degree through �۶�ֱ��’s online program, so that she could continue to work as an interpreter. “I found that GWU offered several online options, and when I reached out to discuss them with the advisors, they were so kind and knowledgeable,” Bridges related. “They helped me to figure out a plan that would work for me, especially as a non-traditional student. I chose human services because it aligns with my work as an interpreter. I wanted to learn more about creating resources for the Deaf community, specifically for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) children in public schools. I felt that a human services degree would allow me to explore those resources, and learn to work with other organizations to achieve my goals.”

The nonprofit she created, “The B.R.I.D.G.E,” is for DHH children and their families. This organization would help to bridge the gap in resources and support that typically occurs when DHH children are placed in public education settings. “Through my work as an ASL interpreter, I found that parents and teachers often lacked the resources that are needed to support their DHH students,” Bridges observed. “Children who are DHH often experience Language Deprivation Syndrome, which has become a big topic in the Deaf community. Since language is the bridge to how we connect with the world and those around us, it is imperative to build strong language foundations, as early as possible. Unfortunately, due to lack of resources, guidance and support, many of these kids will not have that opportunity. The nonprofit organization (NPO) I created seeks to change that, by partnering with families, the Deaf community, and educators.”

Bridges would like to see her nonprofit organization become a reality. It will take funding for technology and devices, learning materials and resource creation. Most of all, it will take tenacity on her part. “I would truly like to make this NPO a reality, and I have been building it in my mind for several years,” she acknowledged. “It will happen. I am grateful to Dr. Cook for her continued support and kindness. I appreciate all of the professors in the (human services) program, and I am so thankful that each of them has encouraged and supported me as I grow my skills.”

Learn more about Gardner-Webb Online.

Learn more about the Department of Public Service.

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Kristi Barger’s Second Chance: A Journey from Prison to Academic Success

Office of University Communications — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 15:38:00 +0000

Once Incarcerated, Now Thriving with the Help of Gardner-Webb Online

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The faculty and staff who work in �۶�ֱ�� University’s Online degree completion program are committed to helping students achieve their goals. Kristi Barger, of Hickory, N.C., a student working toward bachelor’s and master’s degrees, ultimately chose to attend GWU because of the responsive and compassionate online admission team.

Kristi Barger poses with her mother on her
graduation day from A-B Tech.

After spending years in a cycle of substance abuse that included periods of sobriety followed by relapses and short stays in prison, Barger was sentenced to six years in the Western (Swannanoa) Correctional Center for Women in Black Mountain, N.C. She decided to view this incarceration as an opportunity. While some might respond with bitterness, anger and despair, Barger told her sons, “I am going to get something out of it this time.”

Before she could make good on her promise, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the prison’s educational programs. After waiting over four years, the correctional center announced it would offer a human services Associate in Applied Sciences degree from A-B Tech Community College in Asheville, N.C. The program was part of the U.S. Department of Education’s Second Chance Pell Experimental Sites Initiative.

There were eight women in the prison who participated in the program. They weren’t allowed to use computers to search the internet, so their instructors brought them books and other resources. As their graduation and release dates neared, one of the teachers started looking for a college that accepted paper applications. She checked �۶�ֱ��, because of its agreement to accept credits from A-B Tech. “The staff at �۶�ֱ�� said, ‘We want all of your ladies to come here,’” Barger recalled. “�۶�ֱ�� was so supportive with anything I needed, and that’s why I chose to go.”

She enrolled in �۶�ֱ��’s online bachelor’s program in human services, which is offered in eight-week terms. During the first term, Barger immediately used what she learned in class to write a resume and cover letter. She also completed a certificate to become a peer support specialist and was hired.

Dr. Erin Cook, �۶�ֱ�� assistant professor and program coordinator for human services said Barger is “thriving in our bachelor’s program, and we’ve talked through ways in which she can use her past experiences to be a more compassionate and empathic helping professional.”

Kristi Barger poses with her sons. They are both college graduates and now she is pursuing both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from �۶�ֱ��.

Barger acknowledged, “Whenever I did my peer support training, everything we talked about I had already learned at �۶�ֱ��. If I would have gone into the peer support without going to school, I would not have known what they were talking about.”

Her first class at �۶�ֱ�� was human services with Cook. “If I would not have had that, I guarantee you I would not have gotten my job,” Barger asserted. “My application was great, my cover letter was wonderful, and (Cook) taught us what to expect in an interview and how to sell ourselves.”

Kristi Barger and her grandson

Barger is the mother of three sons. Her oldest son, and the father of her grandson, died while she was in prison. She said working on her college degree helped her through that difficult time. Her two younger sons are college graduates. She’s grateful to her parents for taking care of her children while she was in prison. Barger is proud of their accomplishments and earning her own degree gives her something more in common with them, but she’s decided to go further. “I’m going to get my Master’s in Public Administration,” she stated. Barger has been accepted into the Accelerated Master’s Program and begins taking classes toward her graduate degree in January 2025.

Barger likes the convenience of online classes and the accessibility of her professors. “All of my teachers have been so great, and they don’t have any problem offering their time,” she affirmed. “When I contact them if I have a question, it’s never very long before they get back to you. A lot of them will get back to you after hours. They are wonderful.”

The next start date for the online human services program is Oct. 18. To apply or receive more information, contact admissions@gardner-webb.edu.

Learn more about Gardner-Webb Online.

Note to our readers: This article reflects the University’s tuition and fee schedule at the time of publication. Tuition and financial aid policies change annually. For the most up-to-date and accurate information on current tuition rates and financial aid resources, please visit the University’s official Admissions page.

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Celebrating Alumni – Shamanda Burston Chosen to Lead Program for Behavioral Health Charlotte

Office of University Communications — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 15:05:02 +0000

GWU Alumna and Adjunct Coordinates Enhanced Outpatient Treatment

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Students are the focus of �۶�ֱ�� University’s mission. Faculty members seek to engage students with unique, experiential learning opportunities to prepare them for their next steps as GWU alumni. Whether they choose to begin a career or accept the academic challenges of graduate school, they are equipped with knowledge and skills to lead, and inspired to serve and impact their communities.

Shamanda Burston (Photo credit: Nastassja Epps)

�۶�ֱ�� celebrates alumni who are making a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others.

Shamanda Burston, a 2014 alumna of �۶�ֱ��’s Master of Arts in clinical mental health counseling program, is a psychotherapist at Atrium Health. She was promoted to new program coordinator in the enhanced outpatient treatment program at Atrium’s Behavioral Health Charlotte. Burston also earned her bachelor’s degree in human services from GWU in 2012. She serves as an adjunct professor in the �۶�ֱ�� School of Psychological Science and Counselor Education.

She is a licensed clinical mental health counselor, licensed clinical addictions specialist, author, and the CEO of LuLu B. Productions LLC., a production company specializing in cinema-therapy-focused content. Burston is a third-year doctoral student in the counselor education and supervision program at Walden University in Minneapolis, Minn. Her research interests are cinema therapy, trauma, and decreasing counseling stigma for Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) populations.

Stay connected

�۶�ֱ��’s faculty and staff are eager to hear about and celebrate alumni news and success. There are three ways to share your story with us:

Contact a faculty member.
Touch base with Alumni Relations.
Submit a class note here.

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�۶�ֱ�� Assistant Professor Dr. Erin Cook Receives President’s Early Career Award

Office of University Communications — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 18:28:33 +0000

Honor Recognizes Scholarship, Instruction, Professional Development and Service

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—�۶�ֱ�� University President Dr. William Downs has announced the recipient of the President’s Early Career Award for 2023. Dr. Erin Cook, assistant professor and program coordinator for human services, was selected for the honor based on her productivity in scholarship, creative discovery, and instruction that exceeds expectations.

“I really think we all should be proud of, and grateful for, the work that Dr. Cook has done to coordinate our program in Human Services at GWU,” Downs praised. “She has led the effort to create new courses, to map out concentration options, and to ensure that students have the support they need to be successful. By itself, that’s a pretty full plate for an assistant professor; impressively, Dr. Cook has made many additional contributions during her time at �۶�ֱ��, and for all of them she is indeed deserving of this important recognition.”

Since 2021, Downs has presented the Early Career Award to full-time assistant professors who also demonstrate outstanding performance in professional development and excellence in service. The annual award includes an additional $1,000 in professional development funds for Cook to use during the 2023-2024 academic year.

Cook expressed her gratitude for receiving the award. “I am very humbled and appreciative of this honor and look forward to proving worthy of this recognition,” she affirmed.

She was nominated by Dr. Bobbie Cox, chair of the Department of Public Service and professor of criminal justice and public administration. “Dr. Cook is constantly looking for opportunities to improve her teaching and share her methods with other professors,” Cox noted. “Her teaching effectiveness is often recognized by her colleagues and administration.”

As the only full-time faculty member for human services, Cook interacts daily with more than 140 students and 20 adjunct professors. She also teaches in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program. She is Quality Matters (QM) certified and serves as a QM Peer Reviewer. She serves on the General Education Committee which just approved the new General Education Curriculum for the Degree Completion Program. Cook developed QM templates for each course in the MPA and human services programs. She attended the Certified Education Technology Leader (CETL) Institute and participated in additional QM courses.

Dr. Erin Cook celebrates with a student after graduation.

Cook’s service to the University extends to various groups in the community. She volunteers as a Guardian Ad Litem case manager, a role that requires completion of a comprehensive training program and background check. In this capacity, she is an advocate for children and teenagers, whose families have come to the attention of the courts. Cook also serves on the boards of Champions for Children, Blue Ridge Community College and Western Piedmont Workforce Development. She is a GWU Faculty Marshal and a member of the National Organization of Human Services.

Cox summarized, “The time that Dr. Cook gives our MPA students, Degree Completion Program students, her colleagues, and her community makes her worthy of the highest ranking in service and leadership and honor of being awarded the President’s Early Career Award.”

Cook has been a full-time assistant professor at �۶�ֱ�� since 2018. She came to the University in 2013 as associate director of Personal and Professional Development. From 2004 to 2013, she was associate director of enrollment management at Lenoir-Rhyne (LR) University in Hickory. She is also an alumna of LR, receiving her Bachelor of Arts in human and community services with minors in biology, psychology and sociology magna cum laude in 2004 and her Master of Arts in clinical mental health counseling in 2011. Cook earned her Doctor of Education in organizational leadership from �۶�ֱ�� University in 2018.

Previous winners of the President’s Early Career Award

2022 – Dr. Aihua Zhang, assistant professor in the Department of Social Sciences.

2021 – Dr. Mitch Porter, assistant professor in the College of Education.

2020 – Dr. Yvonne Smith, assistant professor in the Hunt School of Nursing, Dr. Anna Sieges-Beal, assistant professor in the Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy, and Dr. Casey Delehanty, former assistant professor.

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Wake Tech and �۶�ֱ�� University Officials Announce New Transfer Partnership

Office of University Communications — Mon, 09 May 2022 14:03:00 +0000

Wake Tech Students Can Complete Online Bachelor of Science in 10 Programs at GWU

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—In a special online ceremony, Wake Tech Community College and �۶�ֱ�� University signed multiple articulation agreements making it possible for Wake Tech students who earn one of 10 Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees to complete a Bachelor of Science degree online with �۶�ֱ��.

“Wake Tech has long been a giant in the North Carolina community college system, and we are quite pleased that these agreements will enable more of their graduates to join us at GWU,” praised �۶�ֱ�� University President Dr. William M. Downs. “Our ability to complement work already completed at the community college level with degree options that enhance professional opportunities is a plus for students, a win for employers, and a big net gain for our state.”

The agreements include AAS degrees in Accounting and Finance, Business Administration, Health and Fitness Science, Nursing, Human Services Technology, Criminal Justice Technology and Forensic Science.

“This is a great opportunity for Wake Tech graduates to pursue an advanced degree,” said Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls. “This partnership with �۶�ֱ�� University will help students stay workforce forward – to keep moving up as they achieve educational goals.”

Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls

GWU President Dr. William Downs

programs included in the new articulation agreements are:

Accounting and Finance to �۶�ֱ�� BS Accounting
Business Administration to General Business to �۶�ֱ�� BS Management
Health and Fitness Science to �۶�ֱ�� BS Exercise Science with a Health and Fitness Concentration
Nursing to �۶�ֱ�� BS Nursing
Human Services Technology to �۶�ֱ�� BS Human Services – Concentrations in Generalist, Clinical/Pre-Counseling, Family Dynamics, Non-Profit Leadership, or Substance Use and Abuse
Human Services Technology/Gerontology to �۶�ֱ�� BS Human Services – Concentrations in Generalist, Clinical/Pre-Counseling, Family Dynamics, Non-Profit Leadership, or Substance Use and Abuse
Human Services Technology/Mental Health to �۶�ֱ�� BS Human Services – Concentrations in Generalist, Clinical/Pre-Counseling, Family Dynamics, Non-Profit Leadership, or Substance Use and Abuse
Human Services Technology/Substance Abuse to �۶�ֱ�� BS Human Services – Concentrations in Generalist, Clinical/Pre-Counseling, Family Dynamics, Non-Profit Leadership, or Substance Use and Abuse
Criminal Justice Technology to �۶�ֱ�� BS Criminal Justice
Forensic Science to �۶�ֱ�� BS Criminal Justice

Wake Tech Students accepted at �۶�ֱ�� University must comply with all applicable academic regulations as listed in the GWU Online Undergraduate Degree Completion Program Catalog.

More information on the �۶�ֱ�� transfer agreements and other university partnerships is available here.

About Wake Tech

is North Carolina’s largest community college, serving more than 70,000 adults annually, with seven campuses, two training centers, multiple community sites and a comprehensive array of online learning options. Wake Tech is accredited and offers more than 250 associate degrees, diplomas and certificates that prepare students for university transfer or immediate employment.

About �۶�ֱ��

�۶�ֱ�� University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to six professional schools, 14 academic departments, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., �۶�ֱ�� prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at �۶�ֱ��.edu.

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Degree Completion Student’s Values Align with �۶�ֱ��’s Mission

Office of University Communications — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 20:16:50 +0000

Lee Stiles, ’22, Serves the Community Through his Job and Non-Profit Organization

Whether on the job or in his free time, Lee Stiles of Morehead City, N.C., can be found helping people in the community. Stiles, who works full time with the Onslow County Health Department, is a student in the �۶�ֱ�� University Degree Completion Program. He graduates in May with a bachelor’s degree in human services technology and minor in nonprofit leadership.

He chose to attend �۶�ֱ�� because the University’s motto, “Pro Deo et Humanitate – For God and Humanity” aligns with his values. “It is also my personal motto and that really resonated with my spirit,” Stiles affirmed. “I chose my field of study because I want to serve and help people.”

Through his non-profit organization, Lee Stiles hosts
community church services and facilitates recovery meetings.

As the opioid coordinator for Onslow County, one of Stiles’ responsibilities is to lead a team called SOAR (Strategic Opioid Advanced Response Team). Members are from various agencies, such as law enforcement, substance abuse counseling, housing, transportation, public health, and universities, who come together to form action plans and ideas to fight the opioid crisis in the community. Outside of his job, Stiles serves the community through his non-profit organization by facilitating recovery meetings and organizing church services and other events.

Stiles said his classes at �۶�ֱ�� helped him to obtain his current job by showing him how to construct a resume and cover page. His instructor, Dr. Erin Cook, assistant professor and coordinator of the Human Services program, taught him how to write a concise resume and cover page and make it attractive to employers. “That is one of the reasons why I got the interview for the job I am working now,” he stated. “My supervisor said my resume looked professional.”

Further, his classes gave him ideas about utilizing community resources and developing networking opportunities to recruit more community partners for SOAR. In a Hispanic Culture class, he learned details to help him improve communication with Hispanic clients. He’s learned how to better lead his non-profit through positive communication and being a good steward of the organization’s values. He also appreciates the connections he’s made with professors and classmates by corresponding online through discussion board posts. He’s met two of his classmates in person, and one was a guest speaker for one of the recovery events he hosted.

Through Gardner-Webb Online, the Degree Completion Program offers bachelor’s degrees in nursing, education, criminal justice administration, human services, and several business programs. Students are also connected with a Success Coach who provides advising, support and mentoring, and have access to the GWU Writing Center to help develop revision and editing skills. Upcoming start terms are March 10, May 25 and Aug. 17. For more information, contact Alex Carroll at acarroll6@gardner-webb.edu.

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Degree Completion Program Student Learns Skills to Help People Through Difficult Transitions

Office of University Communications — Sat, 02 May 2020 14:09:56 +0000

Claire Bowen (’16) Appreciates Opportunity to Learn in a Christian Environment

Before enrolling in the �۶�ֱ�� University Degree Completion Program (DCP), Claire Bowen, of Stokes County, N.C., worked in a geriatric psychiatric unit and saw the important role of human services. She realized people need someone to listen and point them to valuable community resources where they can find more help.

Bowen decided to go back to school and earn her bachelor’s degree and work with youth and adults going through difficult transitions in life. She had a couple of reasons for choosing to finish her degree at �۶�ֱ��. “My faith in God led me to �۶�ֱ��, with its strong Christian foundation,” she reflected. “Also, my younger sister and her husband went to �۶�ֱ�� for their associate’s and bachelor’s degrees. With the knowledge and strengths they learned and adopted, they have become brilliant professionals.”

Bowen was able to major in human services and criminal justice because of her previous college credits. From her internships to her advisors, professors and classmates, Bowen appreciated her entire DCP experience. “My advisors were able to give me choices that fit my schedule,” assessed Bowen, who has a young son. “My classmates were serious about their education and about helping others with their knowledge. With God allowing the opportunities for my internships, I am able to see mental health from different perspectives. My professors cared about teaching their subjects to the fullest understanding and helping their students use their knowledge and not just apply the information to testing.”

Three professors who influenced her the most were Dr. Bill Greenwood, Professor Donald Taylor III and Professor Homer Craig. “Dr. Greenwood taught me in Old Testament during my first semester,” she shared. “He helped me build a trust in God and God’s word. Professor Taylor taught my Introduction to Clinical Practice and Group Dynamics classes. His goal was to show each student how to work in the clinical setting of psychology. Using a distinctive hands-on approach, he guided the students to their highest potential. Professor Craig has taught a few of my Criminal Justice classes. He inspires us to set higher goals and listen to God’s wisdom when deciding long-term goals.”

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