Beth Allison Barr (PhD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) is the James Vardaman Professor of History at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where she specializes in medieval history, women's history, and church history. She recently served as president of the Conference on Faith and History (2018-2021) and is an active supporter of Christians for Biblical Equality. Barr is a regular contributor to The Anxious Bench, the popular Patheos website on religious history, and has written for Christianity Today, the Washington Post, Religion News Service, The Dallas Morning News, Sojourners, and Baptist News Global. Her work has been featured by NPR and The New Yorker. She is also a Baptist pastor's wife and the mom of two great kids.

Cristina brings a wealth of industry experience to her current role on the Finance faculty of the University of Miami. She holds a PhD from Texas A&M University. In addition, she serves on staff with InterVarsity’s Graduate and Faculty Ministries working with U of M faculty to help them bring together their life in Christ and their awork. Cristina and her daughter — an avid horse racing fan — attended this year’s Kentucky Derby. Her son just completed his first year at BGSU in Ohio and is looking forward to his 2nd year.

Jana is an Associate Professor of Voice and the Voice Area Coordinator in the School of Music at Kennesaw State University. Jana, a soprano, received her undergraduate vocal training at Baylor University, and holds two degrees; a BMEd and a BM in Vocal Pedagogy as well as a Masters of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Louisiana. A native Louisianan, Jana now lives in Kennesaw, Georgia with her dog Buster.

Learn about the ministry of Women Scholars and Professionals.

Helen Lee is the director of product innovation at InterVarsity Press. An award-winning writer, she has frequently covered issues of race, ethnicity, and identity in her articles and books which include The Missional Mom and Growing Healthy Asian American Churches. Helen is a frequent conference speaker, the co-founder of Ink Creative Collective and Best Christian Workplaces Institute, and the producer of several podcasts including Get in The Word with Truth’s Table.

Christina Barland Edmondson is a higher education instructor, organizational consultant, and co-host of the Truth's Table podcast. She is the coauthor of Faithful Antiracism and has served in a variety of roles in higher education including as the Dean for Intercultural Student Development at Calvin University. She is also a certified Cultural Intelligence facilitator, public speaker, mental health therapist, and a consultant in the areas of ethics, equity, and Christian leadership development.

Christina holds a PhD in counseling psychology from Tennessee State University, an MS degree in family therapy from the University of Rochester, and a bachelor's degree in sociology from Hampton University. Her writing has been seen and referenced in a variety of outlets including Essence.com, YourBlackWorld.com, and Gospel Today magazine.

Janice McWilliams (MDiv, LCPC), author of Restore My Soul: Reimagining Self-Care for a Sustainable Life, has nourished a lifelong curiosity about human nature. This has propelled her to serve in campus ministry, to speak and train groups in churches and organizations, and to work as a therapist, spiritual director, and writer. Her love of the depths and intrigue of the human experience is matched by her desire to find her place in God’s work of restoring and revitalizing souls everywhere. Find out more at janicemcwilliams.com.

Stephanie Bent is a PhD candidate in the Higher Education, Student Affairs and International Education Policy program with a concentration in student affairs at the University of Maryland. She holds a EdM in Anthropology and Education from Teachers College - Columbia University, a MS in Higher Education-Student Affairs from Florida State University, and a BS in Applied Mathematics from Georgia Tech. She has worked in student affairs in the United States with experiences in various functional areas: residential life, leadership development, first year programs, sophomore programs, living-learning communities, student conduct, and academic advising. In her research, she considers questions about student affairs practice in the Caribbean, identity and leadership development of Caribbean tertiary students living in and outside the Caribbean, Caribbean tertiary education contributions to national development, decolonizing research methods, and decolonizing higher education.

Melodie Marske has served on staff with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship since 1988, beginning as a part-time administrator and part-time Campus Staff Minister. After serving undergrad students at the University of Michigan for several years, she began working with graduate students at the University of Michigan. She received her MA in Biblical Studies at Trinity School for Ministry in Pittsburgh in 2003. Melodie became a Team Leader for Graduate & Faculty Ministries in 2005, then an Area Ministry Director in 2007. In July 2014, she began serving as the GFM Midwest Regional Director. 

Melodie is an avid runner, usually running half marathons each spring and fall. She enjoys time outdoors, visiting campus coffee shops, and reading both fiction and theology. Legolas & Gimli, her two cats, keep her entertained at home and are always glad to welcome guests.

Dr. Holly Oxhandler is the Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development and an Associate Professor at Baylor University’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work. Holly studies religion/spirituality, health and mental health, and is especially interested in whether and how mental and behavioral health therapists discuss their client’s religious/spiritual beliefs in treatment. She developed and validated the Religious/Spiritually Integrated Practice Assessment Scale in addition to other instruments to measure the integration of clients’ religion/spirituality in mental health treatment, has written for numerous academic journals, and her research has been featured in the Washington Post, Consumer Affairs, Religion News Service, Business Standard, Baptist News Global, and more. She also co-hosts the weekly podcast, CXMH: Christianity & Mental Health.

Holly lives in Waco, Texas with her husband, Cory, and the couple has two children, Callie and Oliver. She loves to read, paint, meditate, learn about others’ stories over a cup of coffee, and most of all, spend time with her loved ones.

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