Meet The Prof

Doug is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire. He discusses how to understand and embrace who God made you to be, how he discovered his passion for psychology and neuroscience, how the Christian faith intersects with psychology, the divine design in human behavior, how he candidly shares his past struggles with alcohol with his students, and how almost every profession can reflect God's glory.

You can email Doug at: [email protected]

Read more about Doug at: https://meettheprof.com/view/professors/entry/doug-matthews/

Mentioned in interview:

• Jordan Raynor’s website: https://www.jordanraynor.com/
• Book: The Right Questions: Truth, Meaning Public Debate, by Phillip E. Johnson
• Read about the Kalam Cosmological Argument: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalam_cosmological_argument
• Book: Reason for God, by Tim Keller
• 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (ESV)

Resources from Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry:

• Find 500+ Christian professors at https://meettheprof.com/
• Faculty Commons – https://www.facultycommons.org/
• A Grander Story – https://a.co/d/8VoYXSV

Watch MTP on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MeetTheProfOfficial/videos

You can support Meet The Prof through Shane Hartley's work with Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry, at this link: ⁠⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠⁠

Irene is an Associate Professor of Human Nutrition at The Ohio State University. 

She shares about:
The Importance of Christian Community
Living Authentically and Not Hiding Your Faith
Adaptability and Resilience 
Advice for Parents of College Students
Career Guidance for College Students
Relating to LGBTQ+ Students as Whole Persons

You can email Irene at: [email protected]

Read more about Irene at: https://meettheprof.com/view/professors/entry/irene-hatsu/

Resources from Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry:

• Find 500+ Christian professors at https://meettheprof.com/
• Faculty Commons – https://www.facultycommons.org/
• A Grander Story – https://a.co/d/8VoYXSV

Watch MTP on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MeetTheProfOfficial/videos

You can support Meet The Prof through Shane Hartley's work with Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry, at this link: ⁠⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠⁠

Linda is a retired lecturer of Mathematics at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She shares about growing up without her father, being approachable and vulnerable as a professor (and growing up with a pet skunk).

Takeaways:

Being approachable can impact students' lives.

Math skills can open up a wide range of career opportunities.

How parents can give their college students space to make mistakes and learn from them.

The insides of how teaching and grading can be stressful for professors.

Follow Linda on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/linda.smith.gurganus

Resources from Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry:

• Find 500+ Christian professors at https://meettheprof.com/
• Faculty Commons – https://www.facultycommons.org/
• A Grander Story – https://a.co/d/8VoYXSV

Watch MTP on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MeetTheProfOfficial/videos

You can support Meet The Prof through Shane Hartley's work with Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry, at this link: ⁠⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠⁠

John Chen is an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy at Baylor University.

Takeaways:
Finding fulfillment requires surrendering worldly pursuits and relying on God.
John led a student to Christ in his office!
Doubts in faith are normal and it sometimes takes time for God to work.
Ministering to others involves showing care and being present.
Success is redefined in Christ, focusing on living according to God's will.
Building intentional relationships is crucial for discipleship.
Being salt and light in the workplace is as important as being a pastor or missionary.
Professors grow in influence for Christ by engaging outside their department.
Genuine relationships have the power to transform lives.

Read about John on MeetTheProf.com: https://meettheprof.com/view/professors/entry/john-chen/

Email John at: [email protected]

Resources from Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry:

• Find 500+ Christian professors at https://meettheprof.com/
• Faculty Commons – https://www.facultycommons.org/
• A Grander Story – https://a.co/d/8VoYXSV

Watch MTP on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MeetTheProfOfficial/videos

You can support Meet The Prof through Shane Hartley's work with Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry, at this link: ⁠⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠⁠

Dr. Moorad Alexanian, Professor of Physics at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, shares his personal journey of becoming a Christian and Jesus' impact on his life. He discusses the role of the Bible in understanding oneself, the need for unification in knowledge, and recognizing aspects of reality that are not physical, even though his subject matter is physics. Moorad encourages Christian students to be prepared to defend their faith in a secular environment. He also highlights the significance of reading books by C.S. Lewis, such as Mere Christianity, for intellectual growth and understanding of the Christian faith.

You can email Moorad at: [email protected]

Read more about Moorad at: https://meettheprof.com/view/professors/entry/moorad-alexanian/

Resources from Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry:

• Find 500+ Christian professors at https://meettheprof.com/
• Faculty Commons – https://www.facultycommons.org/
• A Grander Story – https://a.co/d/8VoYXSV

Watch MTP on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MeetTheProfOfficial/videos

You can support Meet The Prof through Shane Hartley's work with Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry, at this link: ⁠⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠⁠

We sit down with Maria Tyler, Clinical Instructor of Nursing at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She shares her new journey as a nurse educator, the pivotal role of empathy, her wisdom and passion for helping students find their purpose in life, and the importance of kindness and understanding toward students.

Resources from Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry:

• Find 500+ Christian professors at https://meettheprof.com/
• Faculty Commons – https://www.facultycommons.org/
• A Grander Story – https://a.co/d/8VoYXSV

Watch MTP on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MeetTheProfOfficial/videos

You can support Meet The Prof through Shane Hartley's work with Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry, at this link: ⁠⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠⁠

Joe Brazel is a Jenkins Distinguished Professor of Accounting at North Carolina State University.  
He shares about a major adversity that drew him closer to God.
He advises students to choose a major based on what they enjoy reading.
Joe incorporates his faith into his teaching by sharing church artwork.
He encourages students to read the New Testament to grow.
Joe talks about managing the right amount of anxiety.
He has a passion for teaching and serving his students.

Resources from Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry:

• Find 500+ Christian professors at https://meettheprof.com/
• Faculty Commons – https://www.facultycommons.org/
• A Grander Story – https://a.co/d/8VoYXSV

Watch MTP on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MeetTheProfOfficial/videos

You can support Meet The Prof through Shane Hartley's work with Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry, at this link: ⁠⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of Meet the Prof, Stephanie Thomason, Associate Professor of Management at the University of Tampa, invites students to connect with her YouTube channel called Truth Matters at: https://www.youtube.com/@Dash_023
and by email: [email protected]

She shares a personal story about trusting God with the choice of abortion. Stephanie encourages college students to choose life and reminds them that there are loving families waiting to adopt. 

Stephanie Thomason discusses her experiences as a Christian professor and the opportunities she faces in sharing her faith with students. She emphasizes the importance of creating a safe space for students to talk about their faith and the need for more Christian events on campus. 

Stephanie sees God in her subject of business management, particularly in the concept of servant leadership. She highlights the importance of teaching students that every person has intrinsic value and the significance of living by example as a leader. 

She recommends resources such as: 
C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity 
books by William Lane Craig, Frank Turek, and J. Warner Wallace 

Takeaways:
Exploring different faiths can lead to a deeper confidence in Christianity.
The reliability of the Bible is supported by historical evidence.
Choosing life and adoption are positive options for unplanned pregnancies. 
Students who have experienced trauma need love and support.

Resources from Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry:

• Find 500+ Christian professors at https://meettheprof.com/
• Faculty Commons – https://www.facultycommons.org/
• A Grander Story – https://a.co/d/8VoYXSV

Watch MTP on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MeetTheProfOfficial/videos

You can support Meet The Prof through Shane Hartley's work with Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry, at this link: ⁠⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠⁠

Dr. Will Sparks is the Chair and Professor of Leadership at Queens University. He’s a TED Speaker, Amazon #1 Bestselling Author, and an award-winning teacher and researcher. He’s done organizational design and executive coaching for the Charlotte Hornets for over 11 years and had the privilege of working with Michael Jordan.

You can email Dr. Sparks at: [email protected]

You can take Dr. Spark's free assessment to find your leadership style and shadow at: www.alpfree.com.

Buy his book, Actualized Leadership on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3VQrNWq

Some takeaways from the podcast interview include:

1. Self-awareness and introspection: Dr. Sparks emphasizes the importance of understanding oneself, including recognizing strengths and shadows.

2. Faith: how he integrates his Christian faith as a professor in his approach to leadership and personal development. He discusses the role of prayer and gratitude in navigating life's challenges.

3. Overcoming imposter syndrome: he acknowledges the prevalence of imposter syndrome and encourages students to listen to their intuition and not compare themselves to others.

4. Balancing technology use: Dr. Sparks highlights the importance of maintaining discipline in technology use to avoid distractions and create space for deep work and meaningful connections with others.

5. Exploring interests and finding one's calling: he advises students to explore various subjects and activities to discover their passions and interests.

6. Community and connection: Dr. Sparks emphasizes the significance of community and human connection in personal and professional growth.

#christianpodcast #professor #christianprofessor #facultycommons #christianstudy 

Resources from Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry:

• Find 500+ Christian professors at https://meettheprof.com/
• Faculty Commons – https://www.facultycommons.org/
• A Grander Story – https://a.co/d/8VoYXSV

Watch MTP on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MeetTheProfOfficial/videos

You can support Meet The Prof through Shane Hartley's work with Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry, at this link: ⁠⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠⁠

Nate Callender is an Associate Professor in the Aerospace Department of MTSU. He shares his journey from hating public speaking to becoming a professor, recognizing how God-given gifts can help in career decisions, and how transparency helps us overcome fears. He addresses the compatibility of science and belief in God, highlighting arguments for God's existence. Nate encourages students who are struggling with their faith to seek answers from God, surround themselves with believers, and study apologetics. Lastly, Nate emphasizes the value of students and professors building relationships with one another.

You can email Nate at: [email protected]

Resources from Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry:

• Find 500+ Christian professors at https://meettheprof.com/
• Faculty Commons – https://www.facultycommons.org/
• A Grander Story – https://a.co/d/8VoYXSV

Watch MTP on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MeetTheProfOfficial/videos

You can support Meet The Prof through Shane Hartley's work with Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry, at this link: ⁠⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠⁠