The Richmont Podcast connects the Richmont community with what’s happening within the university, and invites those beyond Richmont to transformative conversations. Join us as we discuss real-world issues such as spiritual struggles, therapy and theology, diversity and inclusion, mental wellness, character virtues, and innovative leadership in higher education.
With a talent for casting vision which inspires others, fostering pathways to student achievement, building communities of diversity and inclusion, anticipating future trends, and piloting effective strategic initiatives, Richmont’s President, Dr. Timothy Quinnan, is passionate about transformational leadership and believes “good things will come from thoughtful experimentation”.
Richmont is thrilled to welcome two new faculty members to its community. Dr. Tamekia Cathright and Dr. Robert Duckworth will teach in the School of Counseling’s Online Modality beginning this fall.
“Both Dr. Cathright and Dr. Duckworth are gifted scholar-practitioners who are enthusiastic about building relationships with students that foster their personal and professional growth. Their areas of specialization broaden the expertise of our faculty, which will not only benefit students but the university as a whole,” comments Dr. Stanley Hoover, Online Modality Director.
Richmont’s Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling has equipped counselors to serve individuals and families for nearly five decades, and since 2015, the online modality of this degree has extended the mission of the School of Counseling by increasing accessibility to the Richmont learning community through faithful online teaching and student engagement.
Dr. Tamekia Cathright shares, “I feel honored to be a part of Richmont because it gives me the opportunity to work with a group of people who don’t want to stifle their spiritual or religious beliefs while helping the public. I also appreciate the university’s integral commitment to excellence, diversity, and inclusion. Moreover, I welcome the opportunity to engage in rich conversations with my colleagues and students about how we as change agents can demonstrate benevolence while authentically being ourselves and cultivating relationships.”
“I chose to come on board with Richmont as Core Faculty because I was very impressed with the School of Counseling’s very intentional commitment to the integration of theology with psychotherapeutic technique. Richmont is serious about counselors-in-training learning the tools of the profession while maintaining a reverence for a Christian worldview when preparing them to serve the public. I am most excited about meeting the students I would serve and look forward to preparing this next generation of Christian counselors in all core areas of the counseling profession,” adds Dr. Robert Duckworth.
Dr. Cara Cochran, Dean of the School of Counseling, remarks, “Richmont is excited about the growth of our online modality under the direction of Dr. Stan Hoover. Drs. Cathright and Duckworth will be a tremendous asset to the School of Counseling.”
Richmont is pleased to announce that faculty instructor Emily Oliver has been promoted to Assistant Professor upon the conferral of her Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Lee University in Cleveland, TN. The title of her dissertation is, “Nothing Like We Expected”: Examining the Relationship between Purity Culture and Sexual Functioning and Satisfaction in Adulthood.
Dr. Oliver is an alumna of Richmont, where she earned her M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy and specialized in Christian Sex Therapy, and Child and Adolescent Counseling. Dr. Oliver is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and an AAMFT Approved Supervisor. As Coordinator of Richmont’s Marriage and Family Therapy Certificate, Dr. Oliver teaches many of Richmont’s MFT courses using her wealth of experience in the field.
“I am thrilled to be able to continue my time at Richmont, now as an Assistant Professor. I am grateful to join the ranks among other professors who have been an incredible support to me over the past year while writing my dissertation and finishing my PhD. I am excited to continue walking alongside our students as they become counselors and therapists who care so deeply about the wellbeing of others,” comments Dr. Oliver.
Dr. Cara Cochran, Dean of the School of Counseling states, “Having Emily Oliver as faculty at Richmont is a joy. She is talented as a clinician, and as a professor. She truly invests in our students, and in the Richmont community. I am especially thankful to have another former student as a colleague. We look forward to her continued contributions to our university.”
Richmont President Dr. Timothy Quinnan was recently interviewed on Moody Radio to share about the history and hallmarks of the University.
In the interview, Dr. Quinnan explains the significance of integrating academics, scripture, and your Christian faith when it comes to the practical application of counseling. He also discusses the rich history of Richmont Graduate University which has its roots in Chattanooga, TN.
“A hallmark of the Richmont experience is integration. We are preparing students in a way that is multidimensional…there’s no point in your journey with us that is not reinforced with biblical truth and psychological theory and practice,” Dr. Quinnan comments to hosts, Tom and Tabi.
Click the link to listen to the full interview
Richmont Graduate University has been awarded a $372,281 grant from The John Templeton Foundation to fund pioneering research in human meaning-making and flourishing. The grant is part of Templeton’s new “Spiritual Yearning Research Initiative” which is committed to exploring the spiritual desires and flourishing of the nonreligious. This highly competitive grant, which recognizes outstanding innovation, will provide our own Dr. Preston Hill, Assistant Professor and Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program, with vital resources to advance the University’s cutting-edge work.
As Dr. Hill notes, “I am completely gratified and enthusiastic about the successful outcome of this grant proposal. With this prestigious award, Richmont enters an elite group of grantees funded by the world’s leading foundation for research in fields such as theology and psychological science.”
“My grant project entitled ‘The Spiritual First Responders Project’ explores how ancient spiritual practices from diverse theological traditions that can help those ‘deconstructing’ their faith feel less spiritually homeless and access mental health care that promotes well-being and spiritual meaning-making. Building off prior work from my Richmont colleagues, this grant will fuse evidence-based clinical mental health interventions with spiritual practice for an urgent public health need. I can think of no better project to capture the heart of Richmont’s legacy and commitment to faith and mental health for healing and transformation.”
President Timothy Quinnan adds: “A grant from the John Templeton Foundation is the absolute gold standard of recognition for frontier-pushing research in higher education. It sends a clear, powerful signal that Richmont has become a force for new knowledge generation.”
The grant provides research funding for a two-year period, starting in 2024 and lasting through 2025.
As a leading institution committed to fostering groundbreaking research, Richmont is thrilled and recognizes the significance of this grant in further strengthening its position as a hub for cutting-edge research and transformative practical application.