Think About It: A Podcast from HBU: Recent Episodes
Houston Baptist University
https://youtube.com/watch?v=BfJwN3T-H9I&feature=sharesBrenda Rios Brombacher, Director of HCU's McNair Center for Entrepreneurship talks with Glen Austin, Director of Education Policy at Greater Houston Partnership (GHP) about PartnerUp Houston, a first-of-its-kind regional mentorship opportunity sponsored through a collaborative venture between GHP and Mentor Collective. The mentoring initiative matches students with industry professionals from one of GHP's mentor companies in their field of interest. Over the course of 12 weeks, participating students meet with professional mentors to explore career pathways, recognize career opportunities and develop job interviewing and networking skills. The aim of the initiative, per Austin, is to help students explore career paths, determine the roles and industries that best fit their career interests, enhance job interview and networking skills and provide insights on navigating the work world. The initiative also enables mentor companies to build a network of young professionals, identify great talent for their companies and give back to the community. If you are interested in becoming a mentor or mentee sign up: https://www.houston.org/partnerupPartnerUp Houston Mentee Recruitment Flyers (1)Connect with Houston Christian University, today!
Dr. Katie Evans
Dr. Katie Evans is a Professor of Mathematics and the Dean of Science and Engineering at Houston Christian University (HCU). Prior to HCU, she was on faculty at Louisiana Tech University for 16 years in the College of Engineering and Science, where she was on the faculty and served in various administrative roles. Dr. Evans serves on the Interim Executive Committee and as Chair of the New Programs Committee for the Grand Challenges Scholars Program, founded by the U.S. National Academy of Engineering. She earned her BS in Mathematics from Morehead State University and her MS and PhD in Mathematics at Virginia Tech. After a postdoctoral position in Mechanical Engineering at Oregon State University, she joined Louisiana Tech, where she is now Professor Emerita. Dr. Evans is passionate about interdisciplinary efforts to provide innovative and applicable learning experiences to students. She enjoys spending time with her family, doing projects around the house, and being involved in church activities.
Alexy Gabriel Karam
Alexy Karam is an HCU alum who graduated in May 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Biology and completed the Honors College at HCU as well. Throughout his undergraduate studies, he worked closely with the alumni association and was a student worker in the library and tutoring center. He also had the opportunity to work with COSE faculty as a supplemental instructor. All of his siblings called HCU their home during their undergraduate studies and this has been a blessing for his entire family. He was provided with many opportunities to pursue what he loves all while keeping Christ in the center of it all. He currently works as the COSE student success specialist where he has the opportunity to holistically support and advise students as well as build great relationships with faculty. As a student, he fell in love with the mindset of prioritizing and putting God first and hopes to continue to carry out this mission in his new role as part of the faculty family.
https://youtu.be/bFwjN5a-Gbc
In this episode of "Think About It,” Jeff Sutton, Director of Media Relations for HCU Athletics, interviews HCU’s James Sears Bryant Head Men’s Basketball Coach Ron Cottrell who shares his excitement about the upcoming men’s basketball season set to begin in a couple of weeks. Cottrell shares that he and the team are looking forward to the season which will include a really good group of new, returning, and transfer players for the fall. The season will open on Nov. 7 at Florida International University in Miami and follow up with a game at UT in Austin on Nov. 10 and includes 16 home games this season. He also talks about the tragic death and devastating loss of HCU basketball player Darius Lee and the many plans to honor him and keep his memory alive. The HCU basketball team will wear D. Lee on their uniforms throughout the year. Other plans include renaming the upcoming game with Rice, the Darius Lee Memorial Classic, at Rice University’s request. Darius also will be awarded his undergraduate degree posthumously in December to honor him as an official alumnus of the University. Cottrell speaks about the many changes at the University through the years and called the recent name change a reflection of who we are as an institution and believes it will open up so many doors for the University.
https://youtu.be/u6SV5F-TRrY
Dr. Kristie Cerling Dr. Kristie Cerling is Dean of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences and a Professor of Education. She earned a BA in English Education from Bethel College Mishawaka, an MEd from Indiana Wesleyan University, and an EdD from Oakland City University. Dr. Cerling’s primary teaching focus is school administration and secondary literacy. She spends much time studying teaching strategies, classroom management, and methodology. Through the National Writing Project and The Olga Lengyel Institute for Holocaust Studies and Human Rights, Dr. Cerling has studied Holocaust Education and Social Justice in America. Dr. Cerling has been published in The Journal of Liberal Arts and Sciences and presented on Teaching Generation Z and the use of rubrics in college classrooms at numerous conferences. Dr. Cerling has been actively involved in her church teaching Sunday School, small groups, and leading activities. She has enjoyed the opportunity to invest in and mentor undergraduate and high school students. Other hobbies include reading and attending events in which her children participate. Dr. Katie Alaniz Dr. Katie Alaniz is an Associate Professor of Education and Director of C-Lite at HCU. She received her doctoral degree in Learning, Design, and Technology at the University of Houston. Her primary focus is curriculum and instruction with an emphasis on digital learning and collegial coaching. She has worked collaboratively to author two books on the power of collegial coaching for technology integration and enhancing today’s classrooms with multimedia. Her books “Naturalizing Digital Immigrants: The Power of Collegial Coaching for Technology Integration,” and “Digital Media in Today’s Classrooms: The Potential for Meaningful Teaching, Learning, and Assessment” were co-written with HBU faculty members Dr. Dawn Wilson and Joshua Sikora. She will be releasing her newest book, “Authentic Assessment” in the near future. Dr. Alaniz and her husband attend Houston’s First Baptist Church and together enjoy serving their community through a nonprofit outreach program called Apartment Life.
https://youtu.be/duXoY6l0pZ0
Mon'Sher Spencer, an HBU Alum, is passionate about furthering what was so integral to her own time at the University. As Director of Student Involvement and Student Leadership Programs, Spencer oversaw involvement areas on campus including, clubs, organizations, Greek Life, commuter engagement, and helped facilitate student leadership experiences for students. In her new role as Director of Student Life, she and her staff seek to develop students of character and competence by providing opportunities to engage in a Christ-centered community focusing on academic success, spiritual formation, interpersonal development, and physical well-being. Some of her favorite pastimes include singing, shopping, spending time with family, and experiencing different cultures (food, travel, history). She also leads worship at Houston's First Baptist Church - Sienna Campus.
https://hbu.edu/student-life/
https://youtu.be/KCEXUeuY24E
Dr. Eric L. Johnson is a Professor of Christian Psychology at the Gideon Institute of Christian Psychology and Counseling at Houston Baptist University. He previously taught psychology, worldview studies, and Christian counseling for 28 years. Eric is currently working on the 3rd edition of Psychology & Christianity: Five Views, and he co-edited Evidence-Based Practices for Christian Counseling and Psychotherapy and Marriage: Its Foundation, Theology, and Mission in a Changing World. In addition, he has written over 60 peer-reviewed journal articles or chapters, as well as Foundations for Soul Care: A Christian Psychology Proposal and God and Soul Care: The Therapeutic Resources of the Christian Faith, and he was a co-author of Christian Psychotherapy in Context. His wife is Rebekah, and they have two children and three grandchildren.
https://hbu.edu/gideon
https://youtu.be/tMAJwcBRgrg
In this episode of "Think About It,” HCU Asst. Athletic Director Russ Reneau talks with student-athlete, Jada Allen about her journey at HCU. A fifth-year senior on the HCU Volleyball team, Allen called it amazing to mold together with the younger girls and show them what HCU volleyball is all about. She called the recent name change a surprise but embraced it as an opportunity for the University to grow and expects this year’s Southland Conference play to bring growth and the ability to achieve the goals the team sets out as a whole. She hopes to go out in her last year of play as a senior with a blast. She described all of the hardships the team has had to face and overcome it has been amazing. Allen described the team’s ability to come together and continue the season following the loss of Asst. Coach Molly Howard Gerwig in the middle of the 20/21 Season as pretty amazing.
https://hcuhuskies.com
https://youtu.be/z-9NAhF6F0Y
https://youtu.be/NS1GyfeDL0Q
HBU Asst. Athletic Director Russ Reneau interviews HBU football player Isaiah Cash who describes the training camp that helped him learn the ropes of college football. He applauds former HBU players and now, NFL players, Caleb Johnson (now with the Jacksonville Jaguars) and Bailey Zappe (back-up quarterback for the New England Patriots) for establishing the foundation for what the HBU Football program can become and for showing him what practicing like a pro looks like. He shared that his team’s winning edge is defending explosives and that his fellow players trust each other to do their jobs. Cash also is a member of the HBU Track Team and says that he is able to balance sports and academics by keeping track of his time and getting his work done early, something the coaches have helped him manage. He said the opportunity to participate in both football and track, the smaller class sizes and the ability to build relationships with his professors were the selling points that led him to HBU.
https://hcuhuskies.com
https://youtu.be/fm6RCNkqdo0
Diana Severance is Director of HBU’s Dunham Bible Museum. She graduated with a BA, MA and PhD in History from Rice University. She is skilled in research, writing, history, higher education, and public speaking. She has authored several books, including in recent years, “The Living Word: Daily Readings on the History, Influence, and Impact of the Bible” (Kress Biblical Resources, 2020), “The Story of Emily: A Proverbs 31 Women” (Kress Biblical Resources, 2018), “Her-Story: 366 Devotions from 21 Centuries of the Christian Church” (Christian Focus, 2016) and “A Cord of Three Strands: Love Letters of Famous Christians” (Christian Focus, 2012) and “Against the Gates of Hell” (Wipf and Stock, 2012). She enjoys gardening and needlework.
https://youtu.be/9WYInwPkXYU
Dr. Toi Durham was recently named the Director of Undergraduate Curriculum and Accreditation in the School of Nursing and Allied Health. She looks forward to this role in continuing the tradition of nursing excellence at HBU. She holds a Master’s in Nursing Leadership and Education, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. Her mother, a nursing professor for 25 years at UT School of Nursing and retired from Prairie View School of Nursing, inspired her to pursue a career in nursing. Durham began her nursing career 28 years ago and has worked in many disciplines, including Med-Surg, Case Management, Legal, Travel, Public Health, Infectious Disease, Forensic and Foreign Travel Nursing, however, early on she realized her passion for Mental Health Nursing. Of her 28 years in the nursing field, the last 17 have been in various roles within Mental Health nursing. She has served in higher education for the last seven years in different roles which helped her prepare for her purpose of being a Nurse Leader in academia. To serve God is to serve others and is the greatest form of charity, believes Durham. She is honored to be able to serve students at Houston Baptist University and to share the Gospel of the Lord. God blessed her with a wonderful husband, a recently retired sheriff deputy, and together the couple has three children (ages 26, 17, 15). Our 17-year old will be heading off to college in August. In her free time, she enjoys praise and worship and enjoys deep-sea fishing, gardening and reading. Embark on a journey that provides a learning experience that inspires students to pursue their passion for academic, spiritual, and professional excellence as a result of our central confession, “Jesus Christ is Lord.”
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https://youtu.be/E3PIrep8w9Y
Mike Rome is the new Dean of the Archie Dunham College of Business. He received a Bachelor of Liberal Arts as a football and baseball letterman at the University of Kansas and has studied portfolio management at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business and behavioral finance at Harvard University. He has also served higher education throughout his career, teaching courses in entrepreneurship at the University of Houston and serving on boards for the City of Houston Higher Education Finance Corp., the University of Kansas School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the University of Texas Libraries System, and Houston Baptist University’s own Center for Christianity and Business. In his new role as dean, he will serve as the principal spokesperson and advocate for the College, accountable for alumni cultivation and fundraising, and providing oversight of the College’s academic programs to produce strong student outcomes and achievement. Rome served as Senior Partner at Allen Austin, where he gave joint leadership to the Board, CEO, and Private Equity practices as well as consulting in the life sciences, industrial, professional services, and financial services practices. He was the CEO and Principal at Chilton Capital, the CEO of Texan Capital, and Senior Partner at Bridgeway Capital. Rome has been recognized for excellence in investment management, business development, and corporate turnarounds and transformations. He has an established reputation as an executive, as a business strategist, and as a coach and mentor. But driving all of his performance has been a deep commitment to generous philanthropy in service of the community.
As Associate Provost for Operations, Ms. Ritamarie Tauer reports directly to the University Provost. Working in concert with the Provost, Ms. Tauer is responsible for leadership, direction and support of Institutional Research and Effectiveness, Compliance Support, the Library, ...
Michael Roque Collins served as a Visiting Professor of Art in 1998 and now holds the rank of Senior Artist in Residence-Painting and is Professor of Art. In addition, he is the Senior Director of the department of ...
Eric L. Johnson is Professor of Christian Psychology at the Gideon Institute of Christian Psychology and Counseling at Houston Baptist University. He previously taught psychology, worldview studies, and Christian counseling for 28 years. Eric is currently working on ...
Brenda Brombacher was recently named Director of the McNair Center for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise at HBU. She earned her BA in International Business from UH-Downtown, a Master’s in Diplomacy from Norwich University and is near completion of ...
Dr. Diane Williams ’93 is a proud alumna of HBU. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1993. She has served as an HBU Board of Trustee since 1997 and was appointed Board Chair in 2005, the ...
Roy D. Jones ’83 graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Finance and Financial Management Services from HBU. He is a financial industry professional with a long-tenured career in banking both in the public and private sector, real ...
Dr. Randy Hatchett is a Professor of Theology in HBU’s School of Christian Thought. He also serves as program coordinator for Theological Studies (BA) and Christianity (BA). He earned his BA in Religion from Dallas Baptist College in ...
Vanessa Cuellar is a Finance major with plans to graduate in May of 2022. Vanessa has been involved as a leader with Young Life and works as an IT Technician for the HBU Helpdesk. After graduation, Vanessa plans ...
Benny Agosto, Jr. ’86, is the managing partner and trial lawyer in the highly-acclaimed-and- respected law firm of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner. He is also the proud founder of The Mexican American Bar Association Foundation. ...
Dr. Avin Brownlee is a professor of biology in HBU’s College of Science and Engineering. He earned a PhD in biology and MCS in biology from the University of Mississippi and a BS in biology TE-Secondary from West ...
John Karshner is HBU Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety and the fourth Chief of Police for the HBU Police Department. He is an alumnus of the HBU MLA program and retired in 2010 after three ...
Ariel is a senior cyber engineering student who is slated to graduate in May 2023. He served 5 years in the Marine Corps as an Intelligence Specialist and is a member of the HBU Engineers City Club and ...
George Thomas VanZant is a junior political science major at HBU. He grew up in Katy, Texas, and was homeschooled prior to enrolling at HBU. He is currently serving as the Student Government President and is also involved ...
Dr. Kristie Cerling is Dean of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences and a Professor of Education whose primary teaching focus is school administration and secondary literacy. She has studied Holocaust Education and Social Justice in America ...
Dr. Jeffrey Green is Dean of The Graduate School, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Institute of Christianity & Scholarship. He coordinates graduate programs across HBU’s curriculum and works to improve the graduate education process from ...
Dr. Angie Durand is an Associate Professor in the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences. Her background includes teaching kindergarten in both public and private school settings, being in school administration, and helping prepare teachers as a university ...
Devonyae Pearson has majored in Marketing and Minored in Psychology at HBU. As a student, she’s been in the HBU Honors College, and has been involved on campus as a Resident Assistant, the VP of Records for the ...
Evelyn Azalia Portillo-Recinos completed a bachelor’s degree at HBU with a double major in Education (bilingual generalist (Spanish) EC-6), and Interdisciplinary Studies. She has worked as a bilingual teacher for Alief ISD for 10 years. Evelyn returned to ...
Kris Bagley ’06 majored in Mass Media and Speech Communication as an HBU student. He was the sports editor for The Collegian and worked with the HBU TV studio as a student. He worked as a sports editor ...
Michael Basquez ’21, majored in Psychology and minored in Studio Art while at HBU. The Spring, Texas native came to HBU as a first-generation college student. In addition to working on campus, his involvements included being the Student Government Association President, a First-Year ...
Joel Stanulonis is Assistant Professor of Art in the department of Visual Art at Houston Baptist University. He received his BFA from HBU in 2012 and earned an MFA at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia. Joel specializes in classical representational painting and teaches ...
Brianna Romero majored in psychology and is graduating in May 2021. At HBU, Brianna has been involved with Life Tree Ministries (an apartment ministry), has been a Young Life high school leader, and has worked as an events intern in the Department of Events & Conferences. She plans ...
David Fresch graduated from HBU with degrees in Mass Media and Computer Information Systems Management in 2003; his wife, Scottie, graduated from HBU the same year. David went on to graduate from Fuller Theological Seminary. His family lives in Norway; David ...
Dr. Lisa Ellis is an Associate Professor of Biology in the College of Science and Engineering. She teaches a variety of Biology courses and is actively involved across campus, including admissions, athletics, First-Year Experience and FYS, QEP, TRiO, and the Institutional ...
Quincy Collins graduated from HBU in 2005 with degrees in Finance and Music Performance. His wife, Nikki, graduated the same year; they have two children. Quincy worked as a financial analyst after graduation, and has worked in telecommunications for the past decade. Quincy ...