Academic Viewbook 2022

ALL YOU BRING. What’s Lipscomb all about?

Maybe you know exactly what you want to major in and have dreamt of your career since you were a little kid. Maybe you have no idea. Either way, it’s ok.

At Lipscomb University, we believe all you bring makes all the difference. That’s why it’s our highest priority to help you discover how you’ll use your God-given gifts to make the world a better place. As you consider how and where to apply your talents, we want to support you in the college search and admissions process, and even choosing a major.

The decisions you make over the next few months will set a course that will shape the trajectory of your future. The college you attend will immerse you in a community where you’ll build deep friendships and share experiences that become lifelong memories. And that community will inspire you as you earn a degree, gain knowledge, build skills.

So dream about the whole thing—college life and academic opportunities. When you bring your yearning for knowledge and ambition to excel, we'll make sure you’re equipped with the possibilities that lead to a life of purpose.

What ismy calling?

1. Identity Who am I?

During Year 1, you will delve into who you are to discover all you bring—your strengths and defining character traits and how those innate qualities align with various occupations and interests.

2. Purpose Why am I here?

During Year 2, you will explore the questions of purpose through workshops, opportunity exploration, cross-cultural discovery and spiritual formation activities, emphasizing community, discernment, empowerment and mission.

Discover what you were made to do.

As a student at Lipscomb, you will engage with the Center for Vocational Discovery , which guides you through a process to help you explore opportunities at the intersection of your academic aspirations and life purpose. This specialized service is integrated throughout your Lipscomb experience to help you discover your natural abilities and how to carry out your calling by focusing on a different theme each year. Then, you’ll take what you’ve learned to create a life of impact.

3. Vocation What should I do?

During Year 3, Faith + Work Fellowships and service opportunities will help you better understand how to use your gifts through spiritual formation opportunities and an examination of cross-cultural engagement and reconciliation.

4. Location Where should I go?

During Year 4, you will continue to explore and refine how you use your gifts and talents to better the world through college-specific integrations and experiences. When you graduate, you will be prepared to leave Lipscomb confidently equipped and committed for the sake of the world.

I really take pride in saying that I came here with an amazing amount of support and love and fellowship with the people I’ve met. I can’t imagine myself somewhere else.

Praise Okorie (’23) • Nursing • Abuja, Nigeria

Support for your journey.

When Praise Okorie (’23) was nine years old, her grandmother had a stroke. “It was horrible,” Praise remembers. “She couldn’t do anything.” As she saw the nurses who cared for her grandmother and the rest of her family day after day, Praise realized she could serve others more effectively as a nurse instead of chasing her dream to become a surgeon. The pursuit of her dream took her 6,000 miles from home.

Praise arrived on campus sight unseen in December 2018 and began adjusting to college life as well as a new culture with different food, customs and practices. “I was a 16-year-old moving thousands of miles away , not knowing anyone and not having family here in Nashville,” she recalls.

The Lipscomb community and her professors in particular

helped with the adjustment process by offering their support and some Southern hospitality. “I’ve been so overwhelmed with support. The first time my nutrition professor Nancy Hunt heard me speak, she could tell that I had an accent, and she just wanted to know me,” Praise remembers. “She was curious so I told her my story, and she invited me to her house to cook food that reminded me of home.”

Not only have her professors been intentional in relationships, but also engaging in the classroom with Biblically grounded classes like Work, Faith and Ethics and Applied Christian Values in Nursing providing distinct learning opportunities. “You know how people say they don’t teach you this in school? Well, they teach you this at Lipscomb,” Praise says. “I can’t imagine getting this type of knowledge anywhere else.”

Praise Nursing

are the course requirements?

BROAD LEARNING CREATES A FIRM FOUNDATION.

At Lipscomb, we believe academic exploration in a Christcentered community builds a foundation for a life of learning and service. Cultivate your curiosity and learn to think critically and ethically through multidisciplinary, integrated coursework to make connections between different areas of study.

Taking courses in disciplines across the university not only gives you exposure to a wide variety of subjects to inform your choice of major, it also equips you with skills like problem solving and critical thinking, demanded universally by employers and important to success in any academic area.

Our general education curriculum, called The Lipscomb Core, features 47 hours in three tiers of courses—foundations, explorations and engagements. The course of study includes 15 hours of Bible classes taught by the College of Bible & Ministry along with classes in math, science, communication, literature, humanities, social science and more.

This breadth of academic experience helps you discover how to apply your unique gifts and passions, and engage with different cultures and worldviews with integrity and compassion. It also might lead you to pursue a double major in molecular biology and music or finance and theology. Lipscomb students have done it all, and you can too.

WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO, YOU CAN DO IT HERE.

What are my options?

Choosing a major is a big decision. With over 200 different areas of study to consider, you have the world at your fingertips. BUSINESS ENGINEERING

TOP MAJORS

Art

Art History

Art Therapy

Graphic Design

Studio Art

Visual Arts Administration

Biology

Biology

Bioscience & Philosophy

Computational Biology

Molecular Biology

Neurobiology

Pharmacy 3+1

Business

Accounting

Business As Mission

Data Analytics

Data Science

Entrepreneurship

Economics

Finance

Management

Marketing Chemistry

Biochemistry

Chemistry

Cinematic Arts

Animation

Film Production

Game Art

Communication

Advertising

Journalism and New Media

Public Relations

Sports Media

Computing & Technology

Computer Science

Cybersecurity

Information Technology

Software Engineering

Education

Disability Studies

Education Interventionist

6-12

Interdisciplinary Studies in Education

Interdisciplinary Teaching, Pre K-3 Licensure

Interdisciplinary Teaching, K-5 Licensure

Interdisciplinary Middle Grades Teaching, 6-8 Licensure

Secondary and K-12 Teacher Education Programs

Special Education Interventionist K-8

Engineering

Civil Engineering

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

English & Modern

Languages

English

French

German

Spanish

Environmental & ScienceSustainability

Family Science

Child and Family Services

Child and Family Spiritual Formation

Child Life Specialist

Family Life Education

Mental Health Professions

Fashion & Design

Fashion Design

Fashion and Interior

Merchandising

History

American Studies

History

Hospitality & Entertainment Management

Law, Justice & Society

Conflict Management

Law and Ethics

Social Change

Urban Studies

Mathematics

Music

Commercial Music

Instrumental Performance

Music

Music Industry Studies

Piano Performance

Theory & Music Composition

Vocal Performance

Worship Arts

Nursing

Nutrition & Kinesiology

Dietetics

Exercise Science

Fitness and Sport Studies

Food Systems Management

Health and Physical Education

Nutrition

Sport Management Philosophy

Ethics

Philosophy

Physics

Biomedical Physics

Physics

Politics

International Affairs

Political Science

Public Policy

Restorative Criminal Justice

Pre-Professional

Pre-Dental

Pre-Law

Pre-Med

Pre-Occupational Therapy

Pre-Optometry

Pre-Pharmacy

Pre-Physical Therapy

Pre-Physician Assistant

Pre-Vet

Psychology

Social Work

Theatre Acting

Design and Production

Directing

Musical Theatre

Theatre

Theology & Ministry

Children’s Ministry

Greek/Hebrew Missions

Mission, Ministry, and Leadership

Preaching

Vocational Ministry

Youth Ministry

University Studies

How do I pick a major?

PURSUE YOUR PASSIONS.

Choosing a major is a big decision, especially at Lipscomb, where there are so many options. Here are some questions to help you find the right major for your goals and interests.

4,800+

STUDENTS

What am I interested in? Figure out where your interests lie and how that could become a career. Doing something you enjoy can make your work more fulfilling, so think about what you like and how that could define your vocation.

What if I need help deciding? We get it. This is another big decision that can feel life-altering, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our Center for Vocational Discovery, academic advisors and faculty members can help steer you in the right direction.

14:1 STUDENT-TOFACULTY RATIO

60k ANNUAL SERVICE HOURS

What gives me energy? What makes you feel energized while you’re doing it and after you’re finished? You want your work and career to be life-giving and what better way than doing something that inspires you.

What do I want to do? Don’t deny your aspirations. If there’s something you’ve always dreamed of doing, go after it with everything you’ve got, and choose a major that will help you build the skills you need to get there.

$46m ANNUAL AID in scholarship and grants to students

3.8 AVERAGE GPA

What are the course requirements?

Make sure you know what classes you have to take for your major. If the coursework doesn’t interest you or align with your strengths, you might want to reconsider your program of study.

What are my options? Can I change my mind?

As you choose where you want to go to college, consider whether that school offers a major that lets you pursue your interests. At Lipscomb, you’ll have lots of options, and that’s important if you realize your intended major isn’t what you expected.

200+ AREAS OF STUDY

100+ CAMPUS ORGANIZATIONS

What are my gifts and talents? What are you naturally good at or just have a knack for? These abilities could inform the major you choose and the kind of work you want to do.

Will I have opportunities after graduation?

Do some research to find out if your intended major is in demand or if your field has a strong growth projection. The good news is that 95% of Lipscomb grads get jobs or start grad school within six months of graduation.

#2 JOB MARKET

Nashville is the second hottest job market in the U.S.

How can I make a difference?

THINK HIGHER. DIG DEEPER.

Sculpt your success and elevate your academic experience through the Honors College, home to some of the brightest, most creative students at Lipscomb who are driven by innovation.

That’s what Schyler Jones (’22) and Danny Kotula (’22 ) did as they became the latest Lipscomb students selected for the Fulbright Student Program one of the most competitive—and prestigious—scholarship programs in the country. Sponsored by the U.S. State Department, the Fulbright program fosters international relations by placing young scholars in countries around the world to pursue graduate study, conduct research or teach English abroad.

Schyler was selected for an English Teaching Assistantship in Colombia on a project with Alianza IMP (Alliance of Colombian Women for Peace), which works with women who have been abused and experienced gender violence. Her work would promote gender equality in Colombia, to bring women to the negotiation table and to promote inclusion in all areas.

“My experience at Lipscomb has been everything I expected and more,” Schyler says. “My worldview has been expanded immensely, and I feel that Lipscomb has prepared me to enter the world with confidence.”

Danny was selected for a Fulbright Study/Research Assistantship that will allow him to work with organizations in Bolivia and Peru to encourage the development of microbusinesses among the indigenous population.

“I can’t wait to make my proposal a reality and hopefully start something that truly helps people,” Danny explains. “Getting to live in Latin America full-time will be quite literally a dream come true, and I’m elated to get to live in two new countries.”

Whether you’re on your way to becoming a Fulbright scholar, a research fellow or a Ph.D. candidate, the Honors College will prepare you for success.

Lipscomb has produced 14 Fulbright scholars in the last 16 years.

Aidan William Business as Business

Aidan BusinessMission

“Our mission will always be the same: To leverage specialty coffee to create hope, both locally and internationally, for the sake of God’s Kingdom.”

Aidan Miller

Senior

Business As Mission • Musanze, Rwanda

Create hope around the world.

With a clear mission and vision, student entrepreneurs Aidan Miller (’23) and William Robertson (’21) transformed their mobile espresso bar into a brick-and-mortar shop in one of Nashville’s beloved music venues. But Kwizera Coffee was never really just a coffee cart.

Kwizera, which means hope in Rwanda’s native language, began in Aidan’s dorm room freshman year and grew into a project for his missional entrepreneurship class. Like the course title suggests, Kwizera was true to its name—profits directly contributed to hope-creation programs in Rwanda, where Aidan grew up in a missionary family.

Coffee sales weren’t confined to a dorm for long. Connections through Lipscomb’s College of Business helped Aidan build a

clientele and book events. But when William stopped him in the halls of Swang Business Center and introduced himself, a new future for Kwizera was born. William’s connection at Rocketown, a local venue with a hope-centered mission, held the promise of a permanent home base for the shop.

Aidan and William worked together to grow a booming business that adds a unique flavor to the city’s thriving coffee culture. They broke ground at Rocketown in summer 2020 and were up and running by October. But Kwizera’s foundation is what propelled its success. “Our mission and vision sparked investors,” William explains.

Now, through their work with partner organizations, Kwizera has reimagined its supply chain to be more sustainable and continues to use coffee to disrupt the poverty cycle in East Africa.

OUR PROFESSORS ARE AMAZING.

At other places, a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio might clue you in to how many students will be in your business class. At Lipscomb, it means hand-picked opportunities to pursue your ambitions. It means learning firsthand from Nashville’s brightest minds. It means professors personally committed to your success.

Like Natasha Johnson, who owns and operates two companies on top of teaching full time in the College of Business. She was recently named a Woman of Influence by the Nashville Business Journal, and the people-over-profit outlook that helped her earn that distinction translates in the classroom, too. She’s committed to sharing the keys to her success with her students. “Some of the most important pieces of advice that I share with my mentees include keeping God first, helping others, dreaming big and maintaining self-care,” Johnson explains.

Or Lee Camp, Professor of Theology and Ethics in the College of Bible & Ministry. In addition to teaching classes like Christian Ethics and Joy and the Good Life, he is the creator and host of Tokens, which hosts a theological and philosophical variety shows along with a podcast and weekly Sunday afternoon public radio show. Tokens imagines a world governed by hospitality, graciousness and joy; life marked by beauty, wonder and truthfulness; and social conditions ordered by justice, mercy and peace-making. The show exhibits “tokens” of such a world in music-making, song-singing and conversations about things that matter.

Or Tom Bancroft, Artist-in-Residence in the George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts. He spent 30 years in the animation industry, most of which was for Walt Disney Feature animation, where he helped animate classics like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, Pocahontas, Tarzan and Brother Bear. He is also the creator of Mushu the Dragon in Disney’s Mulan. Professor Bancroft is one of five Disney animators who teach at Lipscomb, more than any other school in the country.

Your professors will teach you about your major, but they might teach you even more about yourself.

Will I have mentors to guide me?

TELL STORIES THAT MATTER.

Cooperstown, New York, is the end destination every baseball player hopes to achieve and a pilgrimage for fans of the game across the country. Last summer, a group of Lipscomb students made the journey to the National Baseball Hall of Fame to present at the 33rd Cooperstown Symposium on Baseball and American Culture.

Under the guidance of Demetria Kaladimos, veteran journalist and professional-in-residence in the School of Communication, Spencer Barnabee (’23) , Shawna Mann (’23) , Emma Shanahan (’23) and Kahwit Tela (’22) shared a documentary they produced called The Grand Ole Guitar detailing the history of the Nashville Sounds’ iconic guitar-shaped scoreboard.

For Spencer, a lifelong baseball fan, the opportunity to present at the Baseball Hall of Fame was a dream come true , especially after he felt God calling him not to pursue a summer internship he was considering there.

“I still ended up at Cooperstown this summer except I wasn’t there as an intern. I was there as a presenter, which is pretty cool,” Spencer remembers. “For me this trip was an absolute gift from God. And I’m just so happy He gave me the heart to listen.”

CONDUCT RESEARCH TO SOLVE CHALLENGES.

For two Lipscomb students, what started as a presentation at the Student Scholars Symposium , our premier annual research conference, led to an opportunity to present at one of the most prestigious neuropsychology events in the country.

Camdyn Gilbert (’23) has been researching neurogranin, a biomarker of synaptic dysfunction that may predict cognitive decline differently between men and women.

Natalie Thwaites (’22) is exploring whether neurofilament light, a biomarker of axon damage associated with cognitive dysfunction when measured in the cerebrospinal fluid, can also predict cognitive decline in aging adults when measured in the blood, enabling a less invasive collection method.

Along with Assistant Professor of Psychology Dr. Katie Spirko, they traveled to Washington, D.C., to present their research at the 41st annual National Academy of Neuropsychology Conference.

The projects make use of data collected as part of a larger NIH-funded research program that operates through the Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer Center. Dr. Spirko’s affiliation with the program as a research collaborator has opened the door to rare research opportunities for Lipscomb students

“For me, this is a big deal because I think that it's really important to get that kind of real-deal experience,” Natalie says.

Camdyn and Natalie both submitted articles on their findings to Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology and earned publication as the first author. This will be helpful as they both plan to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology with specializations in neuropsychology.

In our community of intellectual curiosity and creativity, over 300 students give presentations across diverse academic disciplines during the Student Scholars Symposium each year. With the guidance of a faculty mentor, you’ll have limitless resources to explore the questions that drive your passions.

Karen Elementary Education

“As a first-gen student, you have to break through so many barriers. I want to make it clear for my future students what to expect. I want to give that opportunity to other people and other kids especially and tell them ‘You can do it.’”

Karen De Leon • Senior • Elementary Education • Nashville, Tennessee

Chart a path for your future.

The daughter of immigrants from Guatemala, Karen De Leon (’23) learned to speak English by watching Sesame Street. And as a first-generation college student, she had to rely on her teachers to learn how to be successful.

“My mom always told me about the importance of education. It’s a privilege,” Karen says. That passion for education made Karen want to be a teacher. Because her parents had worked at Lipscomb, she knew about the College of Education . During her college research, Karen realized “Lipscomb can prepare me to be the best teacher I can be.” She also discovered the Pionero Scholars Program , a scholarship and outreach initiative for local students who want to become teachers, which provided financial aid and a supportive mentor in program director Laura Delgado.

“She’s helped me in my academic, personal and professional life. She’s

taught me a lot and really helped me understand how to navigate and make the best out of the college experience,” Karen says. Because of her opportunities and connections at Lipscomb, Karen was selected to participate in the Ascension Project , a leadership development and mentorship program for students of color in education prep programs in Middle Tennessee. The program focuses on racial identity development, education policy, advocacy strategies, résumé development and networking for career advancement.

Now, Karen plans to give back to her community by teaching in Metro Nashville Public Schools, sharing her culture and experiences to help first-generation college students prepare for their own journey.

Where can I go?

A full passport makes an excellent textbook.

At Lipscomb, some of your most valuable learning experiences will happen outside of the classroom—or even outside of the country. Transform your worldview by engaging with another culture.

Choose from over 40 destinations on six continents to serve and study abroad.

Northern

France

Spain

Albania

Italy

Ghana

Indonesia

India

China

Malawi

Australia

IT’S NOT JUST WHAT YOU LEARN, IT’S WHERE.

Nashville is a flourishing, diversified city that delivers the world to your door. In a leading city for the health care, music, entertainment, technology, hospitality and finance industries, you’ll gain insights you won’t find anywhere else.

Home to more than 2 million people and over 50,000 businesses , Nashville sets itself apart as a city of unparalleled growth. In fact, over the last three decades, more than 930 companies have responded to the leading role Nashville is taking in the global economy and relocated operations here, creating 485,000 new jobs.

The opportunities for high-caliber employment continue to multiply, and you have the opportunity to attain a professional edge Internships and applied learning will help you develop competencies that can’t be taught in a classroom, and the work experience you gain will better prepare you for what comes after college.

Lipscomb’s stellar programs and respected reputation make our students a top choice for local businesses in the hiring process. With the help of professors, mentors and alumni connections, students are continually landing jobs at prestigious companies.

Girls get kitchen sets for Christmas and boys get toolkits. I think actions like these stay ingrained in our minds. When I was in high school, I had no idea construction was even a possibility for me, so being able to show younger girls that they are capable is exciting.

Michaela Kirk (’15) • B.S. Civil Engineering • Nashville, Tennessee

Inspiring the next generation.

Lipscomb is a place that will help you create firsts and defy norms. That’s because to us, innovation means having the courage to go to unexpected places, transforming the future and forging a path for others to follow. And unexpected places are becoming common for Michaela

Kirk (’15)

Up until college, Michaela thought she wanted to design clothes, a dream born out of deep family roots and a parent in the fashion industry. Now, she’s designing buildings. And, although a growing number of women are choosing STEM professions, her career path has had its share of challenges.

“From the moment I decided to pursue a degree in engineering,

I knew that I would more often than not be the only female in the room,” she acknowledges. But that hasn’t stopped her: Michaela currently serves as the project engineer at Turner Construction , the No. 1 health care construction management corporation in Nashville.

Now, she’s paving the way for other women in a maledominated field . With the help of other female professionals at Turner, she runs a free two-day camp called Girls Build It! From visiting landmark construction projects to building concrete lamps, campers get a hands-on view of construction and engineering fields.

Michaela Civil Engineering

What if I need help?

WHEN YOU SUCCEED, WE SUCCEED.

Take advantage of all the resources that help you make the most of your Lipscomb experience, not to mention graduate on time and find a fulfilling job.

It’s all part of our mission to cultivate the next generation of difference-makers.

Academic Success Center

Providing academic support and enrichment, the Academic Success Center includes resources like Math Lab, The Writing Studio and Peer Tutoring, where student tutors can help you polish that paper, solve that equation, or get help in any subject.

Career Development Center

It’s never too soon to prepare for the job market or graduate school. The Career Development Center provides comprehensive resources to help you achieve your goals through résumé reviewing, internship experiences, job search strategies and networking opportunities—in any field.

Disability Services

We’re committed to providing reasonable accommodations for the needs of students with physical, mental, social or learning disabilities.

ACCESS Ability, or Accessing the College Community and Enabling Student Success, is the oncampus program that brings these resources to life.

Bison One Stop

As part of our approach to prioritize student service, we created Bison One Stop, a central resource where you can find answers to questions about financial aid, payments, registration, security, technology and more.

Can I put my learning in action?

EDUCATION DEFINED BY EXPERIENCE.

Beginning with The Lipscomb Experience course you take your first semester here, you’ll participate in learning activities that extend beyond the walls of your classroom.

Internships

Ranked as the nation’s second hottest job market by The Wall Street Journal, Nashville is ripe with opportunities for employment after graduation, and it’s also a great place to find an internship. Our well-connected faculty and Career Development Center can help you find an internship to get professional experience that stands out on your résumé. Lipscomb students have interned at places like Bridgestone, CMT, Nissan and Sony Music, just to name a few.

SALT Program

Gain a fresh perspective on how to engage in purposeful work right here in Nashville’s vibrant, urban community. Serving and Learning Together, the SALT Program emphasizes service learning by pairing classroom learning with service experiences to meet real needs that exist in our city. If you have a particular interest in learning through serving, consider becoming a SALT Scholar, a popular choice among students in the College of Leadership & Public Service preparing for a service-oriented career.

LIFE Program

Life-giving. Hopeful. Transformational. These are words participants in the Lipscomb Initiative for Education (LIFE) Program use to describe their experience—both within and beyond the prison’s visitation checkpoint. The LIFE Program offers residents of the Debra K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center access to higher education. It also offers traditional students like you the opportunity to learn alongside them. Every week, groups of students and professors travel to the prison to meet with inside students for both undergraduate and graduate courses.

Ready to get started?

YOU WERE MADE FOR THIS.

Your academic journey at Lipscomb will magnify your purpose and set the course for the rest of your life. When all you bring collides with our Christ-centered academic experience, you emerge with the knowledge, skills and confidence to lead with purpose wherever you go. Your future awaits.

Take your next step by following the QR code to contact your admissions counselor, submit your application or plan your visit to campus.