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Richmont establishes collaborative partnership with the Jesuit Institute of South Africa

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Richmont Graduate University has partnered with the Jesuit Institute of South Africa (JISA) to afford 9 free credits into Richmont’s Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Formation and Leadership through its Ignatian Spirituality course specialization.

Russell Pollitt, SJ, Director of JISA, comments:

“The Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius Loyola are a gift that transcends far beyond any denomination. We are delighted to share in this international partnership – between the Jesuit Institute South Africa, The Martin Institute, Richmont Graduate University and Conversatio. Our commitment to working together testifies to the fact that the Spiritual Exercises belong to the whole people of God – in the broadest sense. They have the potential – when guided well – to change lives. Our partnership enables us to help others realize this potential. As Christ followers today, we can now offer a life-changing and re-orientating experience to people across the globe. We are blessed to share in this ministry and assist others to offer our world, God’s people, this timeless and priceless spiritual gift. We appreciate our relationship and those who have made it possible very much”.

Sam Youngs, Ph.D. adds:

“There is a deep alignment between Ignatian Spirituality and the ethos of Richmont, as both leverage classical resources to equip disciples in both spiritual direction and formation. This exciting partnership further empowers these mutual strengths!”

Russell Pollitt, SJ, Director of JISA

Sam Youngs, Ph.D.   Adjunct Professor, Richmont Graduate University

Dr. Kathleen Bazile Named as Director of Clinical Training

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Richmont Graduate University is pleased to announce that Dr. Kathleen Bazile has been named as the university’s Director of Clinical Training beginning April 3rd. Dr. Bazile is a licensed Professional Counselor, an Approved Clinical Supervisor, and received her doctoral degree from Mercer University in Counselor Education and Supervision.

Dr. Bazile states, ” I am excited to lead the clinical training program alongside an incredible team into Richmont’s next innovative season. I see this as an opportunity to infuse my passion, creativity, and expertise into the next generation of highly skilled and transformative counselors. ”

“The Director of Clinical Training is a critical position for the university,” states Dr. Cara Cochran, Dean of the School of Counseling, “and Dr. Bazile is a natural fit for this important appointment. Not only does she have superb educational and clinical skills, she also brings the warmth and encouragement that all new clinicians need as they prepare to see their first clients.”

The Director of Clinical Training guides students through the entire clinical sequence at Richmont from the first course in Helping Relationships through Internship II. Additionally, the director is responsible for clinical training for the entire university to ensure that the standards are met and maintained in Atlanta, Chattanooga, and online.

Hill and Youngs Present at Theology on Tap

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March 7: Dr. Sam Youngs, Richmont Graduate University

Making Christ Real: The Ascension in Our Everyday

Lecture + Book Release Event
Doors 6:30 PM • Lecture 7:00 PM

March 29: Dr. Preston Hill, Richmont Graduate University

The Trinity & Trauma-Safe Churches

Lecture + Book Release Event
Doors 6:30 PM • Lecture 7:00 PM

Click the image below to download the PDF flyer

Richmont Celebrates the 90th Anniversary of Chattanooga Bible Institute

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On January 28th, more than 100 friends of CBI/Richmont – alumni, descendants of the CBI founding family, and other friends – gathered at the Hunter Museum of American Art for a gala dinner to celebrate the 90th anniversary of CBI’s founding, its gradual evolution into today’s Richmont, and its decades of positive impact on the city. Guests viewed a video sharing an oral history of CBI and how it came to be merged with the Psychological Studies Institute (PSI) in Atlanta, forming Richmont Graduate University in 2000.

“2023 is a big year for Richmont. It marks not only the 90th anniversary of CBI, but also the 50th anniversary of PSI, Richmont’s Atlanta predecessor, and the 20th anniversary of our first accredited graduating class,” said Amy Estes, Executive Director of University Advancement. “We thought it was important to celebrate these milestones of our heritage and what has gone into making Richmont what it is today. And we are pleased to have started our celebrations in such a special way recognizing our Chattanooga roots.”

The gala at the Hunter was sponsored by Decosimo Corporate Finance, LLC. Tom Decosimo, current Richmont Trustee and great-nephew of CBI founder Ellen Sharp Poindexter hoped to engage younger members of the founding family. Following the event, he said, “This 5th and 6th generation of family members and their broad network of friends, all of whom are upcoming leaders of the Chattanooga community, were provided information about Richmont – their legacy. To a person, they were overwhelmed with the impact the University is making in the world by training from a Christian worldview evidence-based clinical mental health practitioners. They were excited and eager to understand the ways they can offer their support.”

Richmont’s President, Dr. Timothy Quinnan, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to assume the leadership of Richmont in the summer of 2017. He provided guests with highlights of his tenure to date and a current snapshot of the university Richmont has become, experiencing endowment growth, expansion of programs, and record enrollments in recent semesters.

During the last weekend of July, Richmont will host activities in Atlanta marking the 50th anniversary of the Psychological Studies Institute.

Hear from the founders of CBI:

Visit the Event Page

Richmont Continues Record Enrollment Trend

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Richmont Graduate University has achieved another remarkable record enrollment this Spring of three hundred and sixty-one students.

As students and faculty began the 2023 Spring semester, Richmont welcomed its largest number of students engaged in courses at both Atlanta and Chattanooga campuses, a thriving online counseling modality, and a newly established doctoral cohort.

At a time when many graduate institutions have struggled to maintain sustainable enrollment numbers, Richmont’s semester-to-semester retention rates remain at 98%. Roxie Shellabarger, Vice President of Administration, attributes this to “the incredible investment of Richmont staff and faculty into students, as well as Richmont’s emphasis on community and self-care”.

Dr. Preston Hill Contributes to New Workbook and Podcast

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After launching an online class integrating theology and psychology, Blueprint 1543 noticed that students of their TheoPsych classes had some questions our students at Richmont also have around integration. Many of these questions had really practical implications: Can insights from social psychology help us run church meetings better? How do I know if I should see a therapist or talk to my pastor? Is there such a thing as “thriving” amid a severe mental illness?

We’re thankful that our community and others are thinking about things like this, and we hope that these 8 episodes will help prompt more conversation in the church about these important issues. One of the episodes features Dr. Hill addressing trauma, theology, and mental health.

Click Here to Explore the Podcast Series and Download the Workbook

After Trial Period, Richmont Permanently Adopts 4-day Work Week

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During the fall semester of 2022, Richmont Graduate University experimented with an innovative four-day operating schedule. The intent was to enhance employee wellness, workplace satisfaction, collaboration, and productivity. Near the term’s end, President Timothy Quinnan created a leadership team to assess its impact.

Vice Presidents of Administration and Student Affairs, Roxie Shellabarger and Dr. Amanda Blackburn, respectively, spearheaded this evaluative effort. Utilizing focus groups and productivity reviews conducted by management, the pilot initiative was deemed a major success. As Dr. Blackburn notes, “Staff noted increased collaboration, life-balance, the ability to work ‘smarter’, and an appreciation for how much value the University truly placed on their well-being.”

“We are so pleased to see the outcomes including higher levels of efficiency and productivity, but just as importantly, greater happiness in the workplace and at home. We believe this shift in work culture will elevate knowledge generation, as well exert a continuing beneficial effect on every member of our community,” Dr. Quinnan asserts.

To read more about Richmont’s Thrive Initiative, click here.

Christ’s Body Keeps the Score

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Trauma-Informed Theology and the Neuroscience of PTSD

by Preston Hill

Abstract: Recent findings in neuroscience and psychology indicate that “the body keeps the score” of PTSD. Concurrently, trauma-informed theology to date has deployed pneumatology to explain how God experiences trauma in the Christian narrative of salvation. Yet, in Christian theology, the divine person of the Holy Spirit has no assumed human body. This raises an important question as to whether a body is needed for God to keep the score of posttraumatic stress in a manner consistent with neuroscience and how this might shape one’s account of trauma in Christian soteriology. In this article, I take an analytic science-engaged approach to assess the viability of dominant proposals in trauma-informed theology which deploy trauma theory to assert God’s experience of trauma and explain this experience with exclusive reference to pneumatology. After reviewing clinical and scientific research on the neuroscience of PTSD which has been neglected in these approaches, I argue that Christology is a more obviously fitting locus for suggesting God’s experience of trauma within Christian soteriology than the person of the Holy Spirit. I conclude that since the body keeps the score of trauma from a scientific perspective, Christ’s body keeps the score of trauma from a science-engaged theology perspective.

Download the PDF Article

Richmont Achieves Record Enrollment

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Richmont Graduate University has achieved an unprecedented total enrollment this fall of three hundred and fifty-one students.

In the opening week of the fall 2022 semester, Richmont welcomed its largest number of students engaged in courses at both Atlanta and Chattanooga campuses, a thriving online counseling modality and an inaugural doctoral cohort.

Central to this semester’s celebration is the largest cohort of School of Ministry students in its history. “What is most exciting for me about this record enrollment is that students are evenly spread out through each of our School of Ministry programs,” comments Travis Young, Assistant Dean of the School of Ministry. “It’s an exhilarating time in the School of Ministry and I am so grateful for the excellent Admissions team who had an integral role in making this happen!”

Michelle West, Director of Admissions, adds, “The Office of Admissions is excited about the enrollment success for the Fall 2022 academic semester! The team has worked diligently to maintain excellent communication with each prospective student, and we are rejoicing in the fruit of this labor. We feel honored to walk alongside each applicant as they prepare for this new chapter on their journey. I am grateful for each member of my team and the leadership of this great University. The best is yet to come!”

Richmont Launches First Doctoral Cohort

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This month, Richmont Graduate University is celebrating the launch of an inaugural cohort in its Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Formation and Leadership program. “This degree signifies our ongoing commitment to Christ-centered spiritual formation which is at the heart of our institutional mission and identity,” comments Dr. Preston Hill, Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program. “For too long, the disciplines of spiritual formation and theology have been set at odds with one another. In our Doctor of Ministry Program, we are experiencing the exhilarating truth that they are ancient friends in the ministry of holistic transformation.”

Richmont’s Doctor of Ministry offering is focused on two dimensions that are integral to the work of both pastors and Christian counselors: spiritual formation and leadership. With a blend of rigorous theological study and practical ministry projects, this program goes beyond the master’s level to equip a new generation of ministry leaders to serve their congregations, clients, and communities in transformative ways. To learn more about the program, visit Richmont Graduate University Academics

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