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I stumbled upon social work after noticing the unmet social and emotional needs of children and families at the school where I taught. I also had my own healing experience in a therapeutic setting that made me want to fight for accessibility to quality mental health for all. After obtaining my license, I hope to not only offer individual and group therapy but also offer accessible resources and interventions to local communities that promote mental well-being, healing, and belonging through arts and music and collaboration with communities, schools, and families.

I chose Baylor because of its emphasis on faith and spirituality. My faith has always been an important part of who I am and how I view service, compassion, and human dignity, so I appreciated that Baylor recognizes the importance of integrating spirituality into social work practice in a thoughtful and ethical way. I am especially passionate about working with children, families, and survivors of abuse, violence, and complex trauma. I am also deeply committed to addressing systemic issues and disparities, such as inequities within child welfare systems and barriers to accessing mental health care and healthcare.

Dr. Donna Nickerson, owner of Da’Shack Farmer’s Market Health, and Wellness, Inc., has partnered with the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work at Baylor University to cultivate innovative approaches to community engagement, environmental stewardship, and holistic well-being. In 2023, Da’Shack became a member of the S.C.R.A.P. Collective, further strengthening its commitment to sustainability, education, food justice, and collaborative community impact across Waco. 

What began as an early morning departure from the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work parking lot turned into a day of meaningful dialogue, connection, and advocacy at the Texas Capitol. More than 50 students from the BSW, MSW programs both online and in-person, traveled to Austin to participate in the NASW-TX Social Work Advocacy Day.

When MSW students in Capstone (SWO 5395) first opened their course materials, they found something a little different waiting for them: a custom-built AI agent designed specifically for their class, pre-loaded with the syllabus, the NASW Code of Ethics, the Council on Social Work Education's 10 competencies, vetted websites and careful instructions for how to respond.

KDH News features our very own Dr. Kerry-Ann Zamore Byrd, who is using storytelling, lived experience, and her professional background to create a platform that inspires healing and social change. Drawing from her personal experiences, Byrd integrates social work with creative outlets like film and theater to amplify marginalized voices and address real-life issues.

Our current societal moment is not new. Throughout history, churches have always existed among systems that refuse to care for the most vulnerable and, despite challenges, have found creative ways to care for their communities.

Every day, in hospitals and schools, in faith communities and government offices, in the quiet corners of neighborhoods many people never see, social workers show up. They walk alongside people in the hardest moments of their lives — and they keep coming back. March is National Social Work Month, and the Garland School of Social Work at Baylor University is proud to join communities across the country in celebrating.

In the Great Hall of Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary, hands were raised and voices harmonized in worship with newfound hope and intention at the Bridges to Belonging gathering on February 19 and 20, concluding the project’s inaugural congregational cohort. The project is a collaboration between George W. Truett Theological Seminary, the Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing in the Moody School of Education, and the Center for Church and Community Impact (C3I) in the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work. 

Blair Alger Belchic (BSW '15, MSW '16) didn't just inherit a Baylor legacy: she inherited a calling to serve. Growing up in a family where all four of her mother's siblings attended Baylor, and with a grandmother who worked as a school counselor, the seeds of social work were planted early on in her life.

Tiffany Vidaña lives by a simple mantra: "Do all things with kindness." A Waco native and first-generation college student, Tiffany turned a lifelong dream of attending Baylor into a mission-driven career in social work. From running for City Council at 24 to supporting clients in substance use recovery, she has always believed that real change starts with people who care enough to show up. 

Temple Civic Theatre is presenting August Wilson’s acclaimed play “Fences” in celebration of Black History Month. The production is directed by Dr. Kerry-Ann Zamore from the Garland School of Social Work. Wilson’s powerful drama explores themes of family dynamics, deferred dreams, and resilience through an evocative narrative that continues to resonate with audiences today.

Dr. Stephanie Boddie experienced a meaningful and productive visit to Ghana during the Advent season. She began her journey in worship with Rev. and Mrs. Nathan as well as Mrs. Cynthia Dogbe, leaders in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church whose ministry reflects faith in action locally and globally. 

How do you take academic research on a subject matter as taboo and sensitive as domestic violence and turn it into a theatrical art piece for the community? Meet Garland School alum Geneece Goertzen, PhD, MDiv, LMSW, who turned her passion for abuse advocacy and research into an award-winning play.

Dr. Kerry Ann Zamore Byrd talks about finding purpose through surrender in 'Soul Talk: Volume 4'. Waco's KWTX News Ten’s Ke’Sha Lopez talks with Dr. Kerry Ann Zamore Byrd about her new book.

The contributions of graduate students are invaluable to Baylor University. More than 5,000 graduate students research, teach and pursue their own post-graduate degrees in the field of their calling, sowing into the University as they grow through its instruction. Baylor's Graduate School bestows Outstanding Graduate Student Awards annually through a highly competitive process. This includes our own Heather Deal. 

Baylor University is well-represented again on a prestigious list compiling the top 2% most-cited researchers in the world. In a database compiled by Stanford University, 43* current or retired Baylor faculty members appear among the top 2% of the most-cited researchers across 22 scientific fields and 174 sub-fields according to the standard Science-Metrix classification. This includes our own Dr. Holly Oxhandler.

Waco, Texas (KWTX)- Our next Be Remarkable takes us to Waco, where we had the pleasure to meet Dr. Jim Ellor. Dr. Ellor is a retired professor at the Garland School of Social Work at Baylor university and also volunteers as a disaster and crisis response volunteer at Presbyterian Church USA. He has helped provide relief during deadly flooding in Kerrville, the West explosion, in North Carolina after hurricane Helene and much more.

Beth Williams, MSW ’25, has found herself on an unusual journey in her pursuit of social work. She first pursued a degree in communications and professional writing, then gained 25 years of work experience from event planning and patient advocacy to therapeutic interior design before finally deciding to transition into social work.

In the fall of 2026, Baylor University’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work will welcome its first students into the new online Social, Nonprofit and Public Leadership program that includes a master’s degree and two professional certificates. This is an interprofessional program that seeks to empower leaders to drive social change and enhance human flourishing both locally and globally. 

Stephanie Boddie, PhD, a longtime interdisciplinary Baylor University faculty member, researcher and author, has been appointed as The Fuller Family Endowed Chair for Social Justice in the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work. In this position, Boddie will continue her teaching, research and scholarship on the needs of those made vulnerable in society. Her work is intended to support churches and other organizations as they serve neighbors around them.

This story examines recent incidents of abuse within religious communities, highlighted by a troubling video from Kenya, to reveal systemic issues such as hierarchical authority and cultures of silence.
 

Over the past four years, the Garland School of Social Work (GSSW) has received federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This funding addresses critical shortages in the nation's mental health workforce.

Baylor will expand its graduate offerings with two new master’s degrees in fall 2026: a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy through the Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences and a Master of Arts in Social, Nonprofit and Public Leadership through the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work.

On Sept. 3, 2024, I started my professional social work career. As a Baylor University online MSW student, this was the first day of my internship as an Adult Protective Services (APS) caseworker at a top agency contracted by the state of Illinois. Although I enjoy being an APS caseworker, I was frustrated to realize that roughly 60% of an APS caseworker's time (24 hours of a 40-hour workweek) is spent entering the required documentation, often into applications that lack basic automation, including spell-checking.

Lucy Huh, a doctoral candidate and researcher at Baylor University, was invited to participate in the June 26-29 Regensburg conference, as she is currently conducting a study of about 100 victims abused by clergy in adulthood.

"Besides being a basis for more research, most important is that this conference succeeded in taking an honest look at what is 'behind the veil,' " Huh said. "It created space for honest and open discussion within academic and church contexts. The goal was never to attack religious life but rather to help make it safer and more authentic for all involved."

The Garland School of Social Work recognizes Hannah Osborne, MSW, as the 2025 Task Supervisor of the Year! Learn more about Hannah, her work and her educator spirit.

Garland School PhD student Bianca Smith’s doctoral research is focused on health disparities in the United States and the ways that individuals and groups can impact the overall wellness of a community. To supplement her research, however, she also turns her attention to the other side of the world to a rural area in Kenya where she has participated in service trips through Baylor University since 2019. 

Each grant provided funding for unique community needs, such as grieving parent support groups, food insecurity, disaster preparedness, inclusion, the development of helpful life skills and community fellowship. On GRF’s website, they are described as “designed to encourage congregations to actively engage with their local communities, understanding the unique needs and challenges they face.”

To help with this work, GRF has partnered with Baylor University’s Center for Church & Community Impact, known as C3I.

The Garland School of Social Work recognizes Waco Police Department's DeAngela Bynum, LMSW, as the 2025 Social Work Supervisor of the Year! Learn more about DeAngela, her work and her educator spirit. The integration of social work with law enforcement is a vital component to future goals being achieved. By utilizing social work interns within this scope of work, I hope to instill in them a desire to ask the hard questions, seek knowledge in evidenced based sources, and to bridge the gaps between these two service fields that have grown in the last few years. 

BSW Intern of the Year Jerrell Boykins Jr. never expected that a conversation during his football recruitment would change the trajectory of his life. The Louisiana native came to Baylor as a student-athlete in January 2023, but it was a personal meeting with Dean Jon Singletary during his official football visit that became the catalyst for discovering his true calling.

The Baptist History & Heritage Society is pleased to announce Dr. T. Laine Scales as the 2025 recipient of the W. O. Carver Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Scales was honored with the W. O. Carver Distinguished Service Award on May 20 during the BHHS annual conference at Baylor University. Presented annually, this award honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the study and preservation of Baptist history.

A panel conversation bringing together legal, theological, social work and survivor perspectives explored how Baptists can confront abuse with both courage and conviction during the May 20 afternoon plenary session of the joint annual conference of the Baptist History & Heritage Society, National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion and Association of Ministry Guidance Professionals. 

While at the University of Nairobi, Fulbright Scholar Dr. Sungseek Moon aimed to teach a course in epidemiological research methods and conduct collaborative research with local scholars and develop a culturally responsive prevention model for substance use among Kenyan youth. 

Dr. Dennis Myers is retiring after 43 years of service to Baylor University and the School of Social Work.

Labyrinth walking was once an ancient contemplative or spiritual practice, and its benefits for contemporary society are being understood through study. Today, the practice is used as a therapeutic experience and can be found in many churches, hospitals and universities. On World Labyrinth Day, which occurs every year on the first Saturday in May, individuals and communities walk labyrinths in a unified gesture for peace and healing.

I remember the day in March 2013 when Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope Francis. As a young 20-something postulant, I lived in a convent cut off from the outside world—no phone, internet or newspapers. After a continuous prayer vigil during the conclave, we were granted rare permission to watch the momentous announcement of our new pope on the community room television.

At a March for Life in late January, Vice President J.D. Vance said, “…it is the task of our government to make it easier for young moms and dads to afford to have kids, to bring them into the world and to welcome them as the blessings that we know they are.”

I am the kind of person who likes rules. I arrived in the world this way—sprang forth from the womb directing and correcting—immediately and intensely confused by people less inclined to stay in line.

I once thought this was just a lucky disposition toward righteousness because, like so many people, I was led to believe obedience and holiness were near, if not perfect, synonyms.

Dr. Donna Nickerson, a licensed psychotherapist with a background in social work, grew up in Clifton, just about 45 minutes from Waco. In her later years of high school, her family moved to Waco, where she attended Waco High and was able to familiarize herself with the city.

Nickerson’s parents ran a thrift store in East Waco for some time, and Nickerson would always find herself returning to visit her parents. However, when the thrift store turned into a vacant building and her parents gave her the keys in 2014, she decided to take advantage of the new opportunity to create change in a city that needed it.

Nearly 6,000 graduate students pursue their Masters or Doctoral degrees at Baylor—nearly one-third of the student body. Many of these students study on campus, while others pursue online degrees as they work in their home communities. As Baylor celebrates Graduate Student Appreciation Week, meet our social work student whose scholarship, work and experiences advance Baylor’s mission and contribute meaningfully to our role as a Christian research university—impacting the world beyond campus borders.

VIDEO - Members of the Robinson Independent School District community are starting a new effort to ensure students in need can get a helping hand right in the district, with support from their peers. The district will hold a donation drive March 24 through April 4 to replenish care closets in each school and set up a districtwide closet stocked with necessities. The care closets will grow from just providing school supplies to provide jackets, hygiene items, shirts, shoes and coordination with local social support organizations for families in need.

For Master of Social Work students, internships are not only a degree requirement but also a pivotal point in their professional growth. This invaluable experience bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Every year, Community Healthcare of Texas (CHOT) interns become important members of our interdisciplinary teams caring for patients and families diagnosed with a serious or life-limiting illness.

In honor of Social Work Month, we recently had the privilege of hearing from Aleia Durston as she reflected on her journey with Community Healthcare of Texas and her aspirations for the future. Aleia earned her Bachelor of Social Work from Bethel University in St. Paul, MN, in May 2024, and she is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work at the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work at Baylor University, with graduation anticipated in May 2025.

Social work interns at Community Healthcare of Texas and Providence Hospice are vital members of our interdisciplinary team, helping to support the diverse needs of hospice and palliative care patients, caregivers, and families. Throughout their internship, they gain invaluable hands-on experience, applying their academic knowledge in real-world settings while preparing for their future careers in social work.

In honor of Social Work Month, we had the opportunity to connect with Bree Williams, a soon-to-be graduate of the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work at Baylor University. As she prepares to take the next step in her journey, Bree reflected on her time with us, sharing her experiences and hopes for the future.

Serving others has always been important to social work student Lyndsi Carlson Chapin. From a young age she was taught to serve others and give back to her community. Growing up, she always found joy in learning about and celebrating others’ stories. Lyndsi's passion for building relationships, offering encouragement and standing beside people at their most vulnerable moments is the backbone of her success in the world of social work. 

March marks National Social Work Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions of social workers who play a vital role in creating a compassionate society and dedicate their lives to empowering individuals, families, and communities. 

From a young age, Minah Daniela Miranda has had an interest in people. Her first 13 years were spent moving around, which gave her the privilege of meeting diverse individuals and communities. This exposure deepened her understanding of different social dynamics and unique challenges people face. Whether it's a moment of joy or sadness, Miranda has always been drawn to witnessing and supporting others. This passion naturally led her toward the field of social work. 

In observance of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month this February, the Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV) is recognizing two individuals and one organization for their advocacy against teen dating violence in Texas. Following the release of TCFV’s 2023 Honoring Texas Victims Report, in which the deaths of 10 Texans 19 years old or younger are detailed, TCFV says educating young people about healthy relationships is more important than ever for the future of our state.

From Line Camp to Welcome Week to the Baylor Line and the on-campus living experience, Baylor goes above and beyond to help new students feel like they are truly a part of the Baylor Family. Eyes across the nation are taking notice — the most notable being U.S. News, which once again this year ranked Baylor in the top 10 nationally for “first-year experience.” The write-up on Baylor noted the emphasis on Christian faith and service, as seen in traditions such as Steppin’ Out and the wide variety of missions opportunities.

Like puzzle pieces that fit together to reveal a more complete picture, Baylor researchers address pressing global needs alongside colleagues in departments across campus. Both individually and collaboratively, they form more complete approaches to solving multifaceted problems. At the heart of their work is a call to stewardship — being good stewards of the world God created and making the most of a distinctly Christian research platform. 

Guidara writes, “’Black and white’ means you’re doing your job with competence and efficiency; ‘color’ means you make people feel great about the job you’re doing for them. Getting the right plate to the right person at the right table is service. But genuinely engaging with the person you’re serving, so you can make an authentic connection—that’s hospitality.” Guidara tells story after story of making such a connection with his guests, celebrating life’s ups and downs, and learning to see people with greater intentionality, empathy and authenticity.

Several faculty in and supporting Environmental Humanities just spoke at the UN Habitat World Urban Forum 12 (Nov. 4-8) in Cairo, Egypt.  Dr. Stephanie Boddie (Social Work, Environmental Humanities faculty affiliate) and Dr. Joshua King (English, Environmental Humanities Director) shared about their work with the Sustainable Community and Regenerative Agriculture (SCRAP) Collective, and Dr. Paul Martens (Religion, Director of Baylor's Ethics Initiative and Interdisciplinary Programs) organized an interdisciplinary panel focused on interfaith human dignity.  

Intentionally practicing gratitude encourages us to regularly recognize and appreciate the positive aspects of our lives. While research shows that gratitude benefits health, well-being and happiness, it simultaneously fosters new connections and strengthens existing relationships by encouraging positive interactions and prosocial behaviors.

Psychologist, Dr. Gail Gross & licensed therapist, Cali Werner, share tips on how to decompress and how to better handle things we can't control.

The Central Texas African-American Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 20th Annual Awards Banquet on Thursday, recognizing individuals and businesses with outstanding dedication and service to the community.

The Rising Star Award recognizes young adults in the community who exhibit leadership and passion, whether through owning a business, working with nonprofits, or being actively involved in service. The Chamber’s coordinator for the Center of Business Excellence, Jocelyn Williams, emphasized the importance of celebrating these individuals who inspire others through their hard work and dedication.

November is National Adoption Month, which seeks to increase national awareness of adoption issues, bring attention to the need for adoptive families for teens in the U.S.  foster care system and emphasize the value of youth engagement. This year’s national theme – "Honoring Youth: Strengthening Pathways for Lasting Bonds" – recognizes the importance of working toward an adoption journey that is imbued with meaning and purpose, paving the way for healing, well-being and long-term stability.

This month, Baylor was awarded a near $1 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program to alleviate food insecurity in Waco’s underprivileged communities and drive sustainable agricultural practices.

The Bridges to Belonging project is equipping congregations across Central Texas to more fully welcome youth and young adults (ages 13–25) facing disabilities, mental health challenges, and chronic illnesses. In its first year, the project has begun sparking dialogue and fostering new relationships among local churches, all aimed at making congregations more accessible, inclusive, and truly representative of the body of Christ.

Baylor University is well-represented on a prestigious list compiling the top 2% most-cited researchers in the world. In a database compiled by Stanford University, 43 current or retired Baylor faculty members and postdoctoral researchers appear among the top 2% of the most-cited researchers across into 22 scientific fields and 174 sub-fields according to the standard Science-Metrix classification.

“We don’t want those people at our church.”

When people from the community began to walk through the doors on Sunday morning, I heard this grumbling from church members who had just participated in outreach to them...

“Those people” were my friends, my community and as Jesus refers to them, my neighbors. Sadly, these grumblings continue in many churches.

Baylor University has been awarded a nearly $1 million grant from the EPA’s Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program (CCGP) to drive transformative local initiatives aimed at bolstering food security, advancing sustainable agriculture and enhancing climate resilience in Waco’s underserved communities. 

"I listened from two perspectives–the social work researcher and the person who had grown up in and deeply loved this church. We learned a lot about collective trauma and how it impacts congregations through that study, but hearing from people I love about surrendering to death has stuck with me to this day." 

At this year's CSWE Annual Convention, members of our Garland School family had the opportunity to travel to Kansas City and present their research to the larger Social Work community. We are so proud of the research being done by GSSW faculty, students, and alumni, and we invite you to check out the important topics that they've been studying!

The Garland School was well represented at the 2024 NACSW Annual Convention this year. The gathering saw many GSSW faculty, students, and alumni present research on some of today's most significant topics in the field of social work. Much of the work that was demonstrated at the conference was centered around our 10th Competency - which we are so proud of! Come and explore the wide array of cutting-edge research topics that our Garland School community is bringing before social workers at the national level.

Before she came to know Baylor as a student, Lucy Huh, a doctoral candidate in Baylor’s Garland School of Social Work, was first introduced to Baylor through the late Diana R. Garland – the namesake and inaugural dean of Baylor’s School of Social Work – and her pioneering research on clergy sexual abuse of adults.

Through U.S. Department of Education funding, Professor Carrie Arroyo, LCSW, alongside Mary Zane Nelson, LCSW, and Dr. Stephanie Boddie, launched the Partnering for Heart of Texas Mental Health project. This initiative focuses on improving mental and emotional well-being for Waco ISD and Transformation Waco students. Six MSW clinical interns are providing school-based mental health services, with a Clinical School Social Work certificate program in development. This project is positively impacting students, families, and the community by increasing access to holistic and culturally inclusive mental health care on school campuses.

Dr. Elissa Madden, contracted by the Texas Supreme Court Children’s Commission, evaluated the McLennan County Parent Advocacy Program (PAP), which provides child welfare-related legal services to help families navigate CPS investigations and prevent child removals. Madden’s evaluation found that the program served 51 clients and prevented 91 children from entering foster care. Through interviews and surveys, the evaluation highlighted the program’s success in addressing custody modifications, CPS defenses, and family law matters. Madden emphasized the need for similar programs in other communities to provide critical legal support to families facing CPS involvement.

Dr. Gaynor Yancey, with funding from Fellowship Southwest, selects and trains MSW students at Baylor to work with congregations, strengthening ministries, deepening faith, and fostering community transformation. The project enables students to conduct congregational research, raising awareness of resources available for congregational growth. Program Manager Erin Albin Hill highlights how students integrate faith with social work practice. Upon the project's completion in July 2024, 13 students will have participated, many now serving in roles supporting congregations and community development across the country.

In 2023, over 30,000 U.S. youth faced homelessness without a guardian, with 20% escaping domestic violence. Partnering with the Klaras Center for Families' Homeless Youth Safety Net Project, Dr. Cheryl Pooler evaluated the Chase House, a transitional housing facility in Central Texas. This program, funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, supports youth by fostering human connection, amplifying their voices in decision-making, and promoting high school graduation. Testimonials from Chase House youth highlight its transformative role in providing stability, life skills, and support during critical life transitions

Dr. Jinyu Liu, in collaboration with Dr. Clara Li, is studying the impact of immigration experiences on cognitive outcomes among older Chinese immigrants to the U.S., aiming to develop tailored interventions for Alzheimer's prevention.

A Texas initiative, led by Baylor University, trains professionals in Motivational Interviewing (MI) to support commercially sexually exploited youth. With 12 certified trainers statewide, the program helps victims heal and explore new life paths through specialized intervention techniques.

Research and painful experience consistently demonstrate domestic violence is as prevalent in churchgoing families as it is in the general population, author and domestic abuse survivor Geneece Goertzen said.

GSSW PhD Student and Research Fellow Heather Deal alongside Baptist Women in Ministry (BWIM), is working together with Dr. Yancey to build an assessment tool for congregations and, ultimately, a curriculum that can be used to work towards creating an environment within their congregation that is one in which women in ministry are not only accepted but thriving. 

Extending Baylor University’s year-long focus on civil discourse, 12 Baylor University faculty members have joined together as the first faculty cohort of Bridgebuilding Fellows. Each faculty member serves as a role model and works to equip the campus community to make positive connections with one another across deep divides.

In a world where the power of connection and understanding can transform lives, Cassie Niedhammer shines brightly as a beacon of hope. Recognized as the Clinical Intern of the Year from the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work at Baylor University, Cassie’s journey reflects a profound commitment to helping others, particularly children and families navigating the complexities of grief.

The healthcare model of the future recognizes the need for additional skilled mental and behavioral health professionals in the primary care environment. There is a shortage of mental health professionals in Texas who are trained for intervention in primary care. 

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease and other progressive neurocognitive disorders comes with a wide range of challenges, emotions and stressors. Despite those difficult circumstances, an interdisciplinary team of researchers at Baylor University found that family caregivers who recognize and cultivate feelings of gratitude are better able to adjust to their roles with a greater sense of well-being and enhanced coping.

Waco was 1 of 10 U.S. Communities That Received More Than $2.5 Million in Grants for Community-led Sustainability Projects As A Part of The Newest Round of Partners for Places Matching Grants and Has Succeeded in its First Year. Waco's Sustainable Community and Regenerative Agriculture Project or "S.C.R.A.P." Collective has recently concluded its first year of working to promote sustainability in the Central Texas community. Having received a $150,000 grant from The Funders Network and a matching grant from the Cooper Foundation, the S.C.R.A.P. Collective is growing a healthy, equitable food system in Waco to address issues of food waste, food insecurity, and climate resilience. 

Dr. Danielle Parrish and Ph.D. student Cali Werner are researching mental health in Collegiate and Olympic athletes, focusing on evidence-based interventions and the effects of NIL deals and Olympic Blues.

Over the last three years, Dr. Laine Scales as worked alongside the Baylor University Libraries Learning Design team designing and facilitating a number of professional development opportunities for Baylor faculty and graduate students. Dr. Scales has been instrumental in the success of DOTS (Designing for Online Teaching Success) for Baylor doctoral students and DIVE (Designing Instruction for Virtual Engagement) for Baylor faculty interested in best practices in online education.

Professor David Pooler is a Professor in the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work at Baylor University. What is consent and power in clergy-laity relations?

When the world tunes into the Olympic Games, they will celebrate elite athletes’ physical excellence, discipline and competitive spirit. These Olympians push the boundaries of human performance, breaking records and achieving feats that inspire millions. However, behind the scenes of their triumphant victories and grueling training sessions lies a less visible yet equally critical aspect of their lives – mental health. The intense pressure to perform, the constant scrutiny from media and fans and the sacrifices made in personal lives can take a significant toll on their psychological well-being. Garland School of Social Work researchers have studied how strategies involving Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

C3I intern Kennedy Garland writes about the importance of multi-generational ministry and gives churches the tools and steps for how to make that shift in their congregations. 

"Generational ministries are common, but programs that include all generations are not always available. We know different generations can come together on more than Sundays, but we often don’t know how. To do so, we must be intentional."

C3I Program Manager Erin Albin Hill reflects on the childcare crisis that is impacting millennials in America right now.

"I’m a community social worker so my thoughts often go to policy and systems. When the Child Tax Credit was in place during Covid, child poverty decreased from 9.7% to 5.2%. Within a month of its removal, child poverty increased by 3%. Those extra funds were just enough to make a difference in the everyday financial situation of families."

Nada Dorman is the Garland School’s MSW Alicia Martinez Spirit of Social Work Award recipient, and this quote describes her life’s journey quite well. Nada was a non-traditional graduate student in our online MSW program. After working 20 years in the marketing/public relations profession, she decided to make a change. Even though her first career was full of exciting jobs like working with Netflix, she found this path not to be the one she was called to walk. 

“I’ve always had a helper spirit, but I studied communications, pursued a master’s [degree] and had a really exciting and successful career in marketing and PR, but it just wasn’t fulfilling,” Nada said. 

Lucy Huh, who researches adult clergy sexual abuse at Baylor University, said victims consider what they have to lose—their reputations, relationships, marriages, faith communities, and even their faith itself—and most remain silent, keeping their trauma to themselves. The result looks very different than what happens to people who have affairs. “Consensual relationships don’t result in trauma and lifelong suffering,” Huh said. New research done at Baylor in fact shows that survivors of adult clergy sexual abuse suffer rates of traumatization that surpass even war veterans. In a study that is currently being peer-reviewed for publication, professor David Pooler found 39 percent of adult survivors screened positive for posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

We invite you to apply to join a Congregational Learning Community as a part of the new project Bridges to Belonging: Accessible Ministry with Youth and Young Adults. This project is focused on equipping churches to welcome and support young people (aged 13-25) with disabilities (including mental health challenges and chronic illnesses). 

This interdisciplinary project is a collaboration of George W. Truett Seminary, the Center for Church and Community Impact (C3i), and the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities (BCDD). We are funded through Lilly Endowment Inc.'s Thriving Congregations Initiative. 

Sungseek Moon, Ph.D.,will spend his Fulbright year in Kenya teaching and conducting public health/social work research at the University of Nairobi's College of Health Sciences. Sungseek Moon, Ph.D., The Carl and Martha Lindner Endowed Chair for Global Studies and professor at Baylor University’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work, has been selected as a 2024-2025 Fulbright U.S. Scholar to Kenya, joining an elite group of scholars who have received the prestigious and competitive fellowship from the U.S. government’s premier international educational exchange program.

A researcher and expert on adult clergy sexual abuse in the U.S. is working with survivors, advocates, academics, and emerging scholars to shed light on the pervasive issue and promote meaningful change within religious institutions.

Researchers writing on adult clergy sexual abuse (ACSA) often begin their literature review by recognizing that studies on ACSA are minimal. This limited research highlights the urgent need for collaboratives like the Adult Clergy Sexual Abuse Advocacy and Research Collaborative (ACSARC) at Baylor University. In addition to deepening understanding of ACSA and its ramifications, ACSARC strives to help fill the knowledge gap, thereby fostering a more comprehensive understanding of ACSA.

The Center for Church and Community Impact (C3I) has been empowering congregations to better serve their communities for the past 25 years. C3I provides research, training, and internships that equip congregations to address social justice issues, create welcoming environments, and walk alongside those in their community. Through its programs, C3I has helped congregations create positive change in the lives of countless individuals and families. This article celebrates the Center’s 25th anniversary and the many graduates and supporters who have shared their experiences and expressed their gratitude for the Center’s work.

Dr. David Pooler speaks with media in Florida about the topic of adult clergy sexual abuse in the midst of a breaking story about alleged misconduct from a local religious figure in the area. Dr. Pooler, a leading expert in this area, talks with ABC7's Summer Smith about this type of abuse.

There’s no shortage of challenges that can impact a child’s mental health — but school districts often face a shortage of qualified mental health professionals. Baylor researchers in the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work are working to bridge this gap in Central Texas. Carrie Arroyo serves as senior lecturer of social work and Mary Zane Nelson serves as project director of a project called Partnering for Heart of Texas (H.O.T.) Mental Health. In this Baylor Connections, they take listeners inside this $2.5 million partnership with Waco ISD schools. (Click the headline to listen and read the transcript.)

While labyrinth walking has been a movement meditation for thousands of years, there is modern research to suggest it is beneficial to mental health. A study published last year in Frontiers in Psychology found that labyrinth walking helped ease stress of people during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“For people in hospitals and prisons, labyrinth walking as a mind-body integrative practice can be life-sustaining and healing in addition to traditional forms of medical treatment or counseling,” Jocelyn Shealy McGee, assistant professor in the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work at Baylor University in Texas, who was a researcher in the study, told the BBC. 

Online MSW Candidate and C3I intern Jessica Lewis penned an OpEd for Baptist News Global. Within my role as a social work intern at The Center for Church and Community Impact, I recently led a team of individuals as we conducted an asset map in Falls and McLennan counties in the heart of Texas. This asset map helped shed some light on the valuable role rural churches play in addressing the physical and social needs of older adults. Through the information gathered for the asset map of rural churches in the area, we revealed fascinating insights into the services and ministries offered by those congregations and their potential influence on the aging population.

According to the NASW, there are more than 600 accredited schools of social work in the US, and our ranking puts us in the TOP 8% of programs ... In the U.S. News Best Schools for Social Work rankings, we are ranked No. 51 in the nation. We offer the Master of Social Work with residential and online options and the Ph.D. in social work, which is designed to develop leaders and educators who can lead visionary social work education or service programs and conduct original research addressing today’s complex social issues.

If you’re serving clients, patients, kids, families, students, or helping at work in a fast-paced environment, inviting in restful rhythms in life or marriage may feel audacious and impossible next to your never-ending to-do list. However, those who are natural givers often deeply struggle to thrive because of this tendency to serve until burnout. Here you're invited to lean into practices that will help you to give for the long haul as we chat with Dr. Holly Oxhandler.

I love that there is a month set aside to embrace my culture, one where I feel appreciated and valued. In September, there are many celebrations that take place in communities, at schools and even churches for Hispanic Heritage Month. 

But now that we are a few months past that designated time, I always ask myself why our culture can’t be celebrated year-round. Why is my culture put on the back burner every other month of the year? 

There are so many beautiful ways to serve and welcome the Hispanic community during all the other months as well. 

I cried Sunday night watching two seemingly different individuals perform one of my favorite songs together. I love music and look forward to the Grammy Awards every year.

While I love celebrating my favorite artists and watching about half the performances, once in a while a performance stands out and really moves me. One of the most iconic moments from the Grammys that made such an impression happened 20 years ago when I was in fourth grade.

Last week, a little red, three-and-a-half-year-old puppet asked our world how we were doing, and it turns out we needed someone to ask. We were honest with our answers, and it became national news. Elmo’s question on X garnered over 40,000 responses and roughly 182.3 million views. While some posts were positive, most were brutally honest about negative feelings of stress and anxiety, depression and despair. As Elmo’s post became national news, outlets referred to the responses as a “social media trauma dump” and “social media dread.”  Even the President of the United States weighed in, saying, “I know how hard it is some days to sweep the clouds away and get to sunnier days. Our friend Elmo is right: We have to be there for each other, offer our help to a neighbor in need, and, above all else, ask for help when needed. Even though it’s hard, you’re never alone.” 

People become social workers because they have a strong desire to help others. Social workers have a hearty sense of social justice and follow a Code of Ethics that calls on them to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people. They are particularly attuned to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty.