Dr. Anna Harper
Title: Associate Professor of Psychology, Institutional Review Board Chair
Years at MVNU: 2022-2025
Degrees:
* Ph.D., Clinical Psychology Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, 2015
* Doctoral Internship Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan, 2015
* M.A., Clinical Psychology Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, 2012
* B.A., Psychology and B.A., Sociology, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Mount Vernon, Ohio, 2009
Awards/Grants/Accolades/Publishing:
* Quanstrom Distinguishing Faculty Scholar Award, SNU, 2019
* Excellence in Faculty Performance Award Finalist, SNU, 2022, 2020
* Excellence in Teaching Award Finalist, SNU, 2022
* Excellence in Accommodations Award Finalist, SNU, 2022, 2019, 2018
* Co-authorship of 98 scholarly presentations with students
Campus Involvement:
* Chair, Institutional Review Board, 2022 – present
* Faculty Advisor, Love Lab Collaborative Student Research Group, SNU (2015-2022), MVNU (2022-present)
* Faculty Development Committee
* Traditional Academic Council
* Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Advisory Board
* Service Above Self Award Committee
* New Faculty Mentor
* Honors Thesis project Chair/Mentor, 3 students at MVNU
Biography:
Anna (Hawley) Harper (MVNU Alumna, 2009) has served as a full-time faculty member at Nazarene institutions of higher education for a decade – seven years at Southern Nazarene University (SNU) and three years at Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU). Highlights during her time at MVNU include participating in and facilitating faculty reading and learning groups each semester, serving as a new faculty mentor, coaching students in their graduate school search and application process, sponsoring the Love Lab collaborative research group, mentoring Honors Thesis projects, teaching counseling and psychological assessment skills, and integrating her love of psychology and Wesleyan theology within each course.
Over the last ten years, Anna has offered undergraduate students the opportunity to engage in social science research through her Love Lab collaborative research group, serving 27 MVNU student researchers and 38 SNU student researchers in this capacity. In addition to solo-authoring scholarly work and conference presentations, she has co-authored 98 academic conference presentations with undergraduate and graduate students. Her research and clinical interests include the development of compassionate love and other-focused virtues, relational spirituality (i.e., intersections of interpersonal relationships and religion/spirituality), and spiritually-integrated psychotherapy. In addition to her research, Dr. Harper has personally prepared and taught 22 different undergraduate and graduate courses in psychology at SNU and MVNU – a significant testimony to her breadth and depth of knowledge in the field.
In 2022, Anna transitioned from SNU to MVNU, feeling a call to serve her alma mater and following her husband’s call to serve as pastor of Willard Christian Reformed Church in Willard, Ohio. Upon Anna’s departure from MVNU this year, she will continue to serve her local church in various volunteer roles and in the vocation of pastor’s spouse. Anna and her husband, Caleb, have a four-year-old son, Judah. They are excited to welcome their second son in May 2025.
Anna’s Testimony:
I was a first-generation college student when I attended MVNU. My professors at MVNU modeled the life of the mind and faith-scholarship integration in such beautiful, thoughtful, and hospitable ways that I couldn’t help but catch a vision of Christian higher education in the Wesleyan-Arminian tradition. The faculty at MVNU have been, both as a student and as a colleague, pivotal figures in my spiritual, intellectual, and personality maturation. I will forever be grateful for God’s gracious work through them. My aim as an educator is to help cultivate studious persons who engage in lifelong learning and loving stewardship. I perceive my most central role in Christian liberal arts education to be that of witness: to invite students to notice the glory of God, to receive God’s gifts, to cultivate awe and gratitude, and to steward what they have received in such a way that they respond as active participants in reconciliation.
This has been my calling and continues to be my calling. I pursue this calling through pedagogical practices that are aimed at offering my authentic personal presence and inviting students to cultivate studious curiosity, engage in formative practices, encounter others relationally, and offer their gifts to others through practices of care.
Anna’s Favorite MVNU Memory:
I have many fond memories from my time at MVNU, both with wonderful colleagues and students. Some of my favorite memories include conversations with students outside of class and end-of-semester celebrations. I have been most inspired by students’ passion for learning and for loving their neighbors.
Anna’s Words to Students:
Students, my call to Christian higher education has always centered on my desire to witness the incredible growth, passion, and purposeful action of college students whose love of learning propels them to love their neighbor through their sacred vocations. I am encouraged by each of my former and current students who are cooperating with God’s loving, redeeming action in the world. It has been a blessing to know you. Keep serving the world with the love of Christ!
As you recall the impact of Dr. Harper’s influence on your life and learning, it would be a welcomed gesture for you to share words of affirmation or appreciation with her in the message box below. Dr. Harper’s commitment to meaningful faith integration, her enthusiasm for learning, and her compassionate care for students will be deeply missed.
