Carol Raymond

Pursuing a PhD in School Psychology

My undergraduate experience at a large public university challenged my belief that Christians could be intelligent and well-educated. During my first semester, my honors ethics professor called me out with questions such as “What does the Christian think about this?” As a public school educator, I experienced restrictions on how I practiced my faith. Therefore, my first educational experiences were void of Christian influence. That changed once I began my advanced degrees and certifications. Faculty at Dallas Baptist University, Hardin-Simmons University, and now Baylor University have demonstrated that Christianity does not negate one’s brilliance and intellectual pursuits. I am blessed to study under professors whose faith is symbiotic with their scholarly work. Instead of experiencing a split between practicing my faith outwardly at home and inwardly at school and work, my faith can shine through all areas of my life. I endeavor to continue working within a faith-based institution to practice my scholarly pursuits in tandem with my growth as a Christian.