Some of the most profound callings in life do not arrive through a single moment of clarity - they unfold gradually, shaped by love, struggle, and the quiet whisper of God's direction. My journey to Taylor University began long before I stepped into a classroom as an adjunct faculty member. It began at home, raising my family and supporting our neurodiverse son.
Raising a neurodiverse child will stretch you, surprise you, and change you in the most unexpected and wonderful ways. My son sees the world differently - he processes it, communicates it, and engages with it in ways that are uniquely and beautifully his own. Watching him navigate a world not always designed with him in mind taught me more about communication, resilience, and human connection than any textbook ever could. When he pursued post-secondary education, I witnessed firsthand both the barriers that exist and the extraordinary potential that unfolds when someone is truly seen, supported, and encouraged to thrive.
It was his journey that lit a fire in me. I wanted to understand how people like my son, and the families who love them, find their voices and build community. That desire became the heartbeat of my doctoral research.
My dissertation examined the online communication behaviors of parents raising neurodiverse adults, focusing specifically on how members of the Parents of Adults with Developmental Disabilities Facebook support group connected, communicated, and supported one another. In a world where these families often feel isolated, I discovered something remarkable: community forms when people share a common cause. Through asynchronous posts, shared stories, and digital encouragement, parents were finding ways to make sense of their experiences and bridge gaps in understanding. My research explored how social media support groups serve as lifelines - spaces where confusion transforms into clarity and isolation gives way to belonging (Argo, H. (2025). A netnographic study of social media as a communication support for families caring for neurodiverse adults (6420). [Doctoral Dissertations and Projects, Liberty University]. Scholars Crossing).
This work matters deeply to me because communication is not one-size-fits-all. The way we share information, process ideas, and connect with others is shaped by our neurology, our culture, our experiences, and our God-given design. As a communication faculty member, I carry this conviction into every classroom I enter.
Ephesians 2:10 reminds us, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (New Living Translation, 1996/2015). Every student who walks through Taylor's doors is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, intentionally crafted work of art. That includes students who learn differently, communicate differently, and engage differently. My son taught me that truth long before my research confirmed it.
When I came across the open faculty position at Taylor, my heart already knew this place was special. Our oldest child had walked these halls and graduated from Taylor University, and I had seen firsthand the community and faith that make this place truly unique. Taylor's mission to develop servant-leaders marked with a passion to minister Christ's redemptive love, grace, and truth resonates deeply with who I am and what I believe I have been called to do. I love that faith and learning are not kept in separate corners here, they belong together, and Taylor lives that out every single day. Simply put, Taylor's values are my values, and I am so grateful God opened this door.
This fall, I will be joining the Taylor Communication Department as a full-time faculty member, and I could not be more excited. Whether in the classroom or a one-on-one conversation in my office, my goal is to honor each student's unique voice and bring both the scholarly and personal dimensions of my work into service of our students. I also hope to be an encourager for students who, like my neurodiverse son, may be navigating higher education while managing learning differences. You belong here, and your voice matters. Together, let us communicate well, think deeply, and remind one another that we are, each of us, God's masterpieces in the making.
