Think about it... A podcast from HCU Houston Christian University

https://youtube.com/watch?v=BfJwN3T-H9I&feature=shares



Brenda 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/partnerup







PartnerUp 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 HCU 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 HCU 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://hc.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 Christian 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://hc.edu/gideon



https://youtu.be/tMAJwcBRgrg