Meet The Prof, with Shane and Spence

Dr. Karen Petersen is the president of Hendrix College. We discuss Dr. Petersen's embarrassing moment at her college graduation, her difficult childhood, and her transformation through encountering God's grace. She shares how her faith has influenced her leadership and the role of community in her spiritual growth. She talks about the importance of servant leadership and she encourages lea...

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 m...

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...

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 Chr...

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. Watch Meet The Prof on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MeetTheProfOfficial...

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...

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: sthomason@ut.edu She shares a personal story about trusting God with the choice of abortion. Stephanie encourages college students to choose life and reminds...

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:  sparksw@queens.edu You can take Dr. Spark's...

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 a...

Rachelle is a full-time Lecturer of Communications in the Department of Civil Engineering at Clemson University. She also operates a marketing and fundraising consulting boutique -- Beckner Creative. Rachelle shares her journey from a career in nonprofit work to becoming an educator. She shares her experiences of grappling with career transitions, offering valuable insights and triumphs she encoun...

Dr. Phil Bishop, pbishop@retiree.ua.edu, is a retired Professor of Exercise Physiology at the University of Alabama. Phil shares how the complexity of the human body points to design and the existence of a Creator. He describes the challenges of faith in science seen in “Retraction Watch”. He advises students dealing with doubts about God. and he challenges Christian professors that they communica...

Robbie Quinn is an Associate Professor of Art Education of East Carolina University. He shares the importance of finding mentors, how art can be a reflection of God's beauty and creativity, the influential platform and future of art education, his experience writing a textbook, and his experience of stepping out of his comfort zones in college and the positive impact it had on his life.  Watch...

Aba is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of North Carolina Charlotte, aebong1@uncc.edu .  Aba reveals his deep-rooted love for the Word of God which was shaped by his upbringing. He has witnessed divine interventions in his health and others’. As a professor, Aba ministers to students, sharing his faith and experiencing miraculous moments of healing. He emphasize...

Laurie Kubicek is a Professor of Criminal Justice at Sacramento State, lkubicek@csus.edu Laurie shares her journey into teaching, reflecting on the joy she found in the classroom and connecting with her students. She tells of her own tearful college send-off, the complexities of faith and academia, the importance of perseverance, and the power of prayer.  Watch Meet The Prof on YouTube: ⁠https://w...

Isaac Loh, lohi@uncw.edu , is an Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. He shares about taking steps of faith as a professor, approaching friends who are not following Christ in a way that is not judgmental, how to encourage students struggling with faith, and how professors can break barriers with students through lunch conversations. Watch Meet The Prof...

“Profe Jara”, as her students affectionately call her, is a Senior Lecturer of Spanish at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She shares a pivotal experience in her faith journey when she was invited to a Christian retreat as an international student, her long-term commitment and joy taking groups of students on overseas trips, how she incorporates her Christian faith naturally into her c...

In Part 2, Greg shares his approach to sharing his faith with students and respecting their spiritual journeys, insights on creating a relatable and approachable classroom environment, tearing down the wall between students and faculty, the value of making mistakes and overcoming challenges, integrating faith with education, the Christian value of doing a job well, and advice for students and Chri...

Greg is a Lecturer of Coastal Engineering at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. In this Part 1 episode, Greg talks about his love for bluegrass music, learning to play the banjo, and an embarrassing moment from his college days about being “pantsed”. He shares the stabling influence of his grandparents on his early faith, the importance of finding like-minded peers, and the role of scrip...

Dr. Rick Olsen is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication Studies at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, olsenr@uncw.edu . His current research focuses on the intersection of popular culture, rhetoric, and values/faith. Rick shares his dream of bamboo entrepreneurship, much to his kids' chagrin. He discusses the importance of discernment and wisdom, emphasizing the ne...

This is an engaging interview with Elise Thompson, Associate Professor of Nursing at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. We delve into Elise's expertise in using virtual reality in nursing education. Elise shares insights on integrating faith into her teaching, navigating life’s challenges, and offering support to students. The interview touches on topics such as handling difficult ti...

We start Part 2 with Len Lecci asking him to tell us about students who come to his office to talk about God. Len answers another question from Danielle Cooper about if there has ever been a time where he felt conflicted about something that he had to teach. And she asks how his faith has grown at a secular university different from being at a Christian university? Watch this episode on YouTube at...

We have a fun and thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Len Lecci, Professor of Psychology at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, leccil@uncw.edu . Dr. Lecci's research is diverse, ranging from early memory loss detection to exploring biases in jury decisions. Recently awarded for his brain injury research, Dr. Lecci brings a unique perspective to our discussion today. But what'...

Dr. Anka Roberto, Associate Professor of Nursing at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, robertoa@uncw.edu , shares her unusual journey to finding intimacy with Jesus while sitting on a floor, how her daughter was born with congenital heart defects, her experience with the Sandy Hook school shooting, and Anka’s battle with cancer.  Watch other episodes of Meet The Prof on YouTube: https://...