Black Scholars and Professionals

For InterVarsity staff, there are additional resources available by logging into the website here.

The State of Mental Health in the Black Community

Addressing Our Trauma and Proposing Solutions with Margaret Weaver, Ph. D, a licensed psychologist and founding partner of Keystone Counseling Center (now known as LifeStance Health), a Christian counseling center in metropolitan Atlanta. She has written Don’t Give Up, a devotional book designed to give hope, comfort, and encouragement.

BSAP Meet the Author Event: Skip McDonald

We are happy to share BSAP’s online Meet the Author Event with: Ms. Skip McDonald, R.N.,BSN, Th.B., who wrote the Anxiety Bible Study Guide. Join us to hear Ms. Skip McDonald talk about anxiety, share key points from her bible study guide, and entertain questions from Black scholars in attendance. She worked extensively as a mental health nurse and she serves InterVarsity as a Regional Resource Specialist focusing on mental health and spiritual formation. We are so grateful to have this time with her. Peace be with you.

Discerning My Vocation: A Surprise in the Graduate School Search

Thinking about a graduate school search in the social sciences, or advising students who are? In this two-part series, Kateri Collins shares advice, steps, and checklists to help plan a search process. Read more and find links to Kateri’s own graduate school search story, her suggestions on finding mentors, or her reflections on inhabiting transitional time well on the Emerging Scholars blog.

Tags: BSAP | graduate school
Strength for the Journey

Black Scholars and Professionals (BSAP), a national ministry within InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, hosted its fifth annual conference in Cambridge, MA. Dr. Claudette Ligons spoke on persevering and growing in the academic life. Dr. Ligons also has the distinction of a 100% graduation rate among the Ed.D. students she has supported through the dissertation process at Texas Southern University. Originially published on the Emerging Scholars Network blog, we are delighted to share wisdom on continuing in the journey of higher education from Dr. Ligons in this four part series, Strength for the Journey.

Tags: BSAP | graduate school | ESN
Navigating the Rapids: When it Doesn’t Go as You Expect

"Let me get this out. I feel like I’m swimming. I don’t know anything. I don’t know what to do next. On my knees." Read more.

The first in a three part series by Tamarie Macon, this devotion published by the Emerging Scholars Network blog was featured in Scholar's Compass, a devotion for and by scholars.

Tags: BSAP | Scholar's Compass | ESN
Finding Light in the Darkness

"The notion that God is a God of justice, as well as grace and love, allows oppressed people to have hope. When wrong is acknowledged and hope springs forth, it is possible to receive justice even when the system may let you down."

Read more from Dr. Alice Brown-Collins, Associate Regional Director of Graduate and Faculty Ministries (GFM), Northeast and the Area Director for Black Scholars and Professionals (BSAP), originally published on the Emerging Scholars blog.

Tags: Scholar's Compass | BSAP
Scholar's Compass: Unchartered Territories

Ever feel like you are all alone, venturing into unchartered territories? As Christian graduate students, faculty, university staff/administrators, and campus ministers, university life is challenging. Lauri Swann offers scripture, prayer, and testimony of God's provision for us in this three-part series from Scholar's Compass, a devotional series from the Emerging Scholars Network:

Unchartered Territories: Hearing God's Voice Unchartered Territories: Obedience Unchartered Territories: Faith

​ May God use Lauri's words to encourage and bolster your faith to hear his voice and obey.

Tags: BSAP | Bible Study

Resources