In this episode of Meet The Prof, Shane Hartley continues his conversation with Dr. Janet Reed, Professor of Nursing at Kent State University. Janet shares how she navigates teaching topics that could conflict with her faith, her research on generative AI and virtual reality in healthcare, and how faith underpins her academic work. She also provides practical advice for professors managing heavy workloads, mentoring students, and making a spiritual impact on campus.

Read more about Janet Reed: https://meettheprof.com/view/professors/entry/janet-reed/

Email Dr. Janet Reed: [email protected]

Main Takeaways

• Christian professors can teach controversial topics while maintaining their faith by collaborating with colleagues and seeking mentorship.
• Generative AI and virtual reality have practical applications in healthcare, such as improving well-being among older adults.
• Faith can guide research and teaching by focusing on benefiting individuals and society.
• Setting boundaries with workload and practicing daily “closing” rituals can help prevent burnout.
• Professors can make a spiritual impact by starting with relationships in their immediate circles and being intentional about prayer.
• Online instructors should prioritize instructor presence through video content and personalized feedback.
• Mentoring students requires compassion, prayer, and maintaining healthy boundaries.
• College students should seek mentors, stay the course despite challenges, and take care of their mental and emotional health.

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
• EveryStudent.com – https://www.everystudent.com/

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

Support Shane Hartley's ministry with Meet The Prof through Cru online: ⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠

In this episode of Meet The Prof, Shane interviews Dr. Janet Reed, an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Kent State University. Janet shares how she integrates her faith into her work as a nursing professor, from helping create a Christian faculty and staff group on campus to naturally engaging students in spiritual conversations. She also discusses how being attentive to opportunities can open doors to faith discussions, how she overcame struggles with perfectionism, and how technology like virtual reality is shaping nursing education.

Read more about Janet Reed online: Meet The Prof Profile

Email: [email protected]

Main Takeaways

• Living Out Your Faith Matters – Janet emphasizes that students often recognize Christian faculty not just by what they say but by how they love and serve.
• Spiritual Conversations Can Happen Naturally – Asking students thoughtful questions and being available in everyday situations can lead to meaningful discussions.
• Faculty Groups Start Small but Can Grow – Her Christian faculty group started with just a couple of professors and has now grown to over 90 members.
• Being Attentive and Willing to Slow Down Opens Opportunities – Taking a moment to listen and engage can make all the difference in ministering to students and colleagues.
• Faith and Identity Over Perfectionism – Janet shares how she learned to find her identity in Christ rather than academic achievement.

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
• EveryStudent.com – https://www.everystudent.com/

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

Support Shane Hartley's ministry with Meet The Prof through Cru online: ⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠

In this episode of Meet The Prof, Shane continues his conversation with Derek Crews, a Professor of Management at Texas Woman’s University. Derek shares how his approach to student relationships has changed over the years as he transitioned from in-person to primarily online teaching. He explains how he intentionally prays for his students and subtly integrates his faith in ways that spark spiritual conversations. From personal prayer lists to inviting students into his home for the holidays, Derek offers practical examples of how Christian professors can influence students for Christ in both virtual and in-person settings.

Read more about Derek Crews online:
 Meet The Prof Profile

Email:
[email protected]

Main Takeaways:

• Christian professors can make an impact even in online teaching by praying for students by name.
• Small gestures, such as responding to students with empathy, can lead to deep spiritual conversations.
• Faculty members can display their faith in their office through religious symbols and literature.
• Inviting students into personal life events, like family gatherings, can create opportunities for mentorship.
• Professors have more legal freedom than they may realize when it comes to faith expressions in the workplace.

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
• EveryStudent.com – https://www.everystudent.com/

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

Support Shane Hartley's ministry with Meet The Prof through Cru online: ⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠

In this episode of Meet the Prof, Shane interviews Dr. Derek Crews, a Professor of Management at Texas Woman's University. Dr. Crews emphasizes the importance of serving Christ in every profession and the need for Christian faculty to support one another in their calling as a professor. He discusses his experience teaching at a predominantly female university, the importance of mentorship, and how his personal challenges—including the loss of his father—have shaped his approach to teaching. 

Read more about Dr. Derek Crews online:
Meet The Prof - Derek Crews

Campus Email Address:
[email protected]

Main Takeaways:

• Every Christian is in ministry, regardless of profession. Dr. Crews explains that serving Christ isn’t limited to pastors or missionaries—professors, businesspeople, and workers in any field have a mission.
• Teaching at a predominantly female university brings unique opportunities. He shares how his students are highly motivated, and in some cases, he has filled the role of a positive male mentor.
• Personal faith is strengthened through challenges. Facing doubts in grad school and dealing with personal hardships deepened his faith rather than weakening it.
• Seeing work as ministry changes how we serve others. Whether through teaching, sharing Christ verbally, mentoring, or simply listening, Dr. Crews believes that faith should guide how we treat others in our daily work.

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
• EveryStudent.com – https://www.everystudent.com/

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

Support Shane Hartley's ministry with Meet The Prof through Cru online: ⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠

In this episode, Shane Hartley chats with NC State professor Steve Hall about overcoming fear, sharing faith in the classroom, and mentoring students. Steve offers helpful advice to other professors to avoid burnout and live out their faith on campus.

Read more about Steve Hall online:

https://meettheprof.com/view/professors/entry/steven-hall/

Professor Hall's Campus Email Address:

[email protected]

Christian faculty, staff, and grad students, you’re invited to the A Common Call conference on Feb. 7 & 8, 2025 in Raleigh, NC. Check out this website for details and registration:
https://cfsn-ncsu.org/conf-info/


00:00-01:17 – Student question & intro
01:18-02:58 – Overcoming fear of sharing faith in class
02:58-05:59 – Faith’s impact on students & classroom interactions
06:04-07:44 – Faculty publicly identifying as Christians
08:26-11:23 – Managing a heavy workload as a Christian professor
11:23-13:27 – How to mentor students spiritually
15:05-17:07 – Connecting with students in online classes
17:16-19:56 – Final encouragement: Be bold, find community, walk wisely

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
• EveryStudent.com – https://www.everystudent.com/

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

Support Shane Hartley's ministry with Meet The Prof through Cru online: ⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠

In this episode of Meet The Prof, host Shane Hartley interviews Dr. Steven Hall, Professor and Director of the Marine Aquaculture Research Center at North Carolina State University. Dr. Hall shares his journey from a nominal Christian upbringing to a profound faith transformation during graduate school. He discusses the challenges and rewards of integrating faith into his academic career, the importance of saying "yes" to God's opportunities, and the impact of building meaningful relationships with students. Dr. Hall also provides insights into balancing professional responsibilities with personal faith and family life.

Read more about Steven Hall online:

Steven Hall's Profile on Meet The Prof

Contact Information:

Email: [email protected]

Learn more about the A Common Call conference, Feb. 7 & 8, 2025: https://cfsn-ncsu.org/conf-info/

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
• EveryStudent.com – https://www.everystudent.com/

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

Support Shane Hartley's ministry with Meet The Prof through Cru online: ⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠

We reflect on the year's recurring theme of integrating faith with academia. They highlight questions from students and insightful answers from professors. If you’re a college student, professor, or someone interested in how faith can intersect with education, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways for Professors

• There are numerous ways to integrate faith into academia without compromising academic integrity.
• Christian professors often have more freedom to express their beliefs than they realize.
• Small steps, like sharing a faith-based perspective or openly identifying as a believer, can make a big difference.

For Students

• Students are encouraged to ask professors about their faith and engage in meaningful conversations.
• Professors’ openness about their faith can inspire students to integrate their own beliefs into their academic pursuits.

Call to Action

• Students: Submit your questions for Christian professors on Instagram at @meettheprofofficial.
• Professors: Share your faith journey by submitting a profile on www.meettheprof.com.

Stay tuned for more inspiring discussions!

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
• EveryStudent.com – https://www.everystudent.com/

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

Support Shane Hartley's ministry with Meet The Prof through Cru online: ⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠

A heartfelt conversation between Shane Hartley and Spence Hackney about their motivation to interview Christian professors, the importance of intergenerational influence, advice for college graduates and for parents, and encouragement to Christian professors to be open about their faith.

Takeaways:

• The importance of generational spiritual influence 
• How students can influence professors 
• Advice for young adults about adding value
• How parents maintain communication with straying college 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
• EveryStudent.com – https://www.everystudent.com/

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

Support Shane Hartley's ministry with Meet The Prof through Cru online: ⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠

In this special edition of Meet The Prof, Shane Hartley and Spence Hackney step into the interview chairs themselves to let listeners know more about their lives and faith journeys, pivotal moments during their college years, and what drives their passion for encouraging Christ-centered conversations on college campuses.

Topics Covered:

Shane’s early walk with Christ and his turning point in college through Cru.

Spence’s journey from a small-town Christian upbringing to rediscovering his faith in college.

Influential professors who encouraged their faith and showed how academia and Christianity can intersect.

The origins of Meet the Prof and their heart to support Christian professors in being vocal about their faith.

Stories of students transformed through Cru and the impact of professors modeling faith in the academic space.

Reflections on why encouraging student-professor interactions around faith is vital.

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
• EveryStudent.com – https://www.everystudent.com/

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

Support Shane Hartley's ministry with Meet The Prof through Cru online: ⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠

Dr. Micah Green, Professor of Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M, shares his journey of faith in academia, from stepping into a career as a Christian professor to mentoring students navigating faith and doubt. He offers practical advice for professors on sharing faith in the classroom, discusses the importance of grace in parenting, and encourages students to see the church beyond stereotypes. Dr. Green received his PhD at MIT and studied early Christian history at Harvard.

Dr. Micah Green's profile can be found on Meet The Prof: 

https://meettheprof.com/view/professors/entry/micah-green/

University Email Address: [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
• EveryStudent.com – https://www.everystudent.com/

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

Support Shane Hartley's ministry with Meet The Prof through Cru online: ⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠