Faces of Austin Seminary
Through Faces of Austin Seminary stories we'll introduce you to some of the individuals who make up this exemplary community—professors, students, staff, and alumni—each with their unique experiences, perspectives, and contributions. Discover the rich tapestry of backgrounds, beliefs, and aspirations that intersect at Austin Seminary, and gain insight into the profound impact this winsome community has on the world around us!
![Summer Reflection: Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1783961639/austin/rlytamqaarzsdaop5nte/emmanuellaugwuCPE.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1783961639/austin/rlytamqaarzsdaop5nte/emmanuellaugwuCPE.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1783961639/austin/rlytamqaarzsdaop5nte/emmanuellaugwuCPE.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1783961639/austin/rlytamqaarzsdaop5nte/emmanuellaugwuCPE.png","width":971}])
Reflection from Emmanuella Ugwu, MDiv student completing her CPE program at Houston Methodist this summer as part of Austin Seminary’s academic and experiential requirements in helping today’s students become tomorrow’s bridge builders and faith leaders.
![Summer Reflection: Learning with the Hispanic Scholars Program (HSP)!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1783529391/austin/pxdptfp1scpwlxzuiyqt/GraceAsareHSP2026.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1783529391/austin/pxdptfp1scpwlxzuiyqt/GraceAsareHSP2026.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1783529391/austin/pxdptfp1scpwlxzuiyqt/GraceAsareHSP2026.png","width":735}])
Reflection from Grace Asare, an MDiv student who recently participated in the 2026 HSP summer session/intensive held at Villanova University, with fellow students as well as the Rev. Dr. Patricia Bonilla, Assistant Professor of Christian Education.
![Cross-country pastoral care]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1702315816/austin/bt7qwpp6db9zb5zd2hfh/nickandsavannah.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1702315816/austin/bt7qwpp6db9zb5zd2hfh/nickandsavannah.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1702315816/austin/bt7qwpp6db9zb5zd2hfh/nickandsavannah.jpg","width":640}])
During the Fall semester, Zbinden Professor Bobbi Kay Jones’s work commute was just shy of 4000 miles.
![A smiling woman with short gray hair and a maroon top is in the foreground, with blurred modern buildings and palm trees in the background.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1699896329/austin/ji0najc7mny11poq4bxj/AquanettaHicks.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1699896329/austin/ji0najc7mny11poq4bxj/AquanettaHicks.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1699896329/austin/ji0najc7mny11poq4bxj/AquanettaHicks.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1699896329/austin/ji0najc7mny11poq4bxj/AquanettaHicks.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1699896329/austin/ji0najc7mny11poq4bxj/AquanettaHicks.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1699896329/austin/ji0najc7mny11poq4bxj/AquanettaHicks.jpg","width":2200}])
“I realized I did not want to be a pastor.” During her clinical pastoral education (CPE) residency at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, Aquanetta Hicks (MDiv’08) had an overwhelming sense that she was not called to be a pastor. Unfortunately, that left her stumped about what she wanted to do with her seminary degree. After all, people who attended seminary did so to become pastors and work in a church, or at least that’s what she thought. Ultimately one thing became absolutely clear, “I feel like I was really created to be a chaplain. It was more than just a profession to me.”
![Jessie and some of her UKirk SMU crew]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1696618314/austin/rpdrnnbeiobki4lh4qxy/JessieandUKirkSMU.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1696618314/austin/rpdrnnbeiobki4lh4qxy/JessieandUKirkSMU.jpg","width":400}])
Since high school, The Reverend Jessie Light-Wells (MDiv’17) knew her journey would eventually lead to seminary. “I felt like I could do my best work in the church.”
![Life experiences forge path to ministry]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1694111078/austin/g3dxrcs7usaitljyespx/TreyHaddon_image7.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1694111078/austin/g3dxrcs7usaitljyespx/TreyHaddon_image7.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1694111078/austin/g3dxrcs7usaitljyespx/TreyHaddon_image7.jpg","width":600}])
“We don’t rise to the occasion; we fall back on our training.” This was one of the many lessons that Reverend Treighton (Trey) Haddon (MDiv’17) remembers from serving with the United States Marine Corps.