Author Biographies
Author bios are presented alphabetically by last name.
Elizabeth M. Bounds is a social psychology doctoral student in Baylor University’s Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, working in Dr. Sarah Schnitker’s Science of Virtues Laboratory. Elizabeth studies virtue development, goal pursuit, and self-worth. She earned her M.Div. with a focus in sport theology/ministry from Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary while simultaneously working as Baylor Soccer’s Volunteer Assistant Coach. Afterwards, she worked for Baylor’s Faith & Sports Institute as the High School Retreat Director and Assistant of Online Programming. She earned her B.A. in Psychology and Spanish with a French minor from Hope College while also competing in soccer and basketball.
Theodore F. Cockle, Ph.D., is a Lecturer and the Director of Leadership Studies at Baylor University as well as a Resident Scholar at Baylor’s Center for School Leadership. In his teaching and research, Ted engages questions related to moral and faith formation in the contexts of leadership and education. His work has been published in peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of Beliefs and Values, Christian Higher Education, the International Journal for Christianity and Education, and the Journal of Character Education. He also co-authored two books related to Christian higher education: Christ-Enlivened Student Affairs (ACU Press, 2020) and Christian Higher Education: An Empirical Guide (ACU Press, 2023).
Edward (Ward) B. Davis, Psy.D., is a Professor of Psychology at Wheaton College and the Director of the Psychology and Spirituality Research Lab in the Wheaton Doctoral Programs in Clinical Psychology. Davis primarily researches the intersections of positive psychology and the psychology of religion and spirituality. He is an Associate Editor for Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, an Editorial Board member for Spirituality in Clinical Practice, and a co-editor of the Handbook of Positive Psychology, Religion, and Spirituality. He is the recipient of the 2012 Sorenson Outstanding Faculty Award in the Rosemead School of Psychology at Biola University, the 2022 Senior Faculty Achievement Award at Wheaton College, and the 2020 Margaret Gorman Early Career Award and 2024 Distinguished Service Award in the American Psychological Association’s Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality.
Perry L. Glanzer is a professor of Educational Foundations at Baylor University and a Resident Scholar with the Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion. He has coauthored authored, or edited a dozen books including Christian Higher Education: An Empirical Guide, Stewarding Our Bodies: A Vision for Christian Student Affairs, Identity Excellence: A Theory of Moral Expertise for Higher Education, Identity in Action: Christian Excellence in All of Life, Christ-Enlivened Student Affairs: A Guide to Christian Thinking and Practice in the Field. In addition, he has written or co-written over one hundred journal articles and book chapters on topics related to moral education, faith-based higher education, and the relationship between religion and education. He is currently Editor-in-Chief of Christian Scholar’s Review and edits the Christ Animating Learning blog. His primary scholarly and teaching interests pertain to moral education and the relationship between Christianity and education.
Andrew Hansen, Ph.D., is the Program Director at Anselm House, a center for Christian thought at the University of Minnesota. He holds BA in history and philosophy from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, as well as Ph.D. in European history from the University of Notre Dame. At Anselm House, he has overseen the development of a 3+-year cohort-based Fellows Program that brings Christian formation and theological education to UMN students and has served on the leadership team of the Developing Character in College Communities grant.
Karen K. Melton, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in Child & Family Studies at Baylor University. She received her doctoral degree from Texas A&M in the area of Positive Youth Development. Her research focuses on developmental structured experiences such as programs, events, interventions, and services. She is interested in translating research into effective interventions and modifying the environmental, psychological, and social determinants to design meaningful and transformational experiences that enhance human flourishing. For the past three years, she has been part of interdisciplinary teams examining character and virtue development.
Sarah E. Madsen, Ph.D., is a postdoctoral research associate at Baylor University, housed in the School of Education. She completed her graduate training at Baylor, earning a master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs and a doctoral degree in Higher Education Studies and Leadership. As a qualitative scholar, her research broadly focuses on material, moral, and spiritual formation in college, including Christian colleges and universities. Her work has been published in venues such as Religion & Education, the Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory, and Practice, and the American Educational Research Journal.
Sarah A. Schnitker, Ph.D., is a Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Baylor University as well as the Director of the BRIGHTS (Baylor Research in Growth and Human Thriving Science) Center. Schnitker studies virtue development in adolescents and emerging adults, focusing on the role of spirituality/religion in virtue formation. She is an Associate Editor for Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, an Editorial Board member for Journal of Research in Personality, and a co-editor of the Handbook of Positive Psychology, Religion, and Spirituality. She is the recipient of the Virginia Sexton APA Division 36 Mentoring Award and Student International Positive Psychology Association Mentor Award.
Robert J. Ridder is a post-baccalaureate research assistant at the Baylor Research in Growth and Human Thriving Science (BRIGHTS) Center, where he studies the intersections of religious and character development with mental health and well-being. Prior to working at the BRIGHTS Center, he earned his B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Religion from Baylor University. During college, he also served as the Head Coach of Baylor’s crew team and Supplemental Instructor for statistics in psychology.
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