Biography
Dr. Braswell grew up in Bartlesville Oklahoma and due to the witness of her family,
she became a Christian at a young age. Dr. Braswell discovered a love of teaching
in high school and sensed that God was calling her to the study of Psychology when
she was touring colleges as a senior in high school. It wasn't until graduate school
that she realized God would blend the love of teaching and the love of psychology
together in a career path by calling her to be a professor. Dr. Braswell is currently
writing an invited chapter on the role of religion in the study of psychology and
has recently finished a book on Research Methods in Psychology with a former colleague,
Dr. Eric Prichard.
Before coming to Ouachita, Dr. Braswell taught at the University of Arkansas at Monticello
from 2015-2023 as an Associate Professor of Psychology.
Dr. Braswell served in her local church in the music ministry and teaching Sunday
School. New to the Arkadelphia community, she is looking forward to serving in a new
church home in whatever capacity God calls. She enjoys reading, hiking, rock climbing,
and spending time with her husband Casey and their two-year-old son, Caleb.
Q&A
Why did you come to Ouachita?
It's actually a really crazy story that only God could have orchestrated! The short
version is, that I've always wanted to work at a Christian University and in Spring
of 2024 God finally made it clear that he wanted me to pursue that dream. Although
I had applied to the position at Ouachita, I had already interviewed at another University
and was convinced that was where God was calling me. When Dr. Gilliland called me,
I outright told her I wasn't interested anymore. She convinced me to do the interview
anyway and at least come visit campus. On the way home from that interview I called
my husband and told him that I thought God was calling us to Ouachita!
Why did you decide to become a professor?
I love teaching and I love psychology, so being a professor was a natural combination
of those passions. Teaching at the college level in particular is an incredible opportunity
to help students not only learn the facts of the field but also how to critically
think through major issues in our society and grow in the wisdom to apply that knowledge.
I am especially excited to teach at Ouachita and to help students learn from a Christian
worldview.
Why is your subject an important one in our world?
Psychology is a widely misunderstood and misapplied subject. It's used, even by professionals
in the field, to justify things that are directly contrary to Biblical truth. The
world needs students of psychology who are grounded in the truth and have a strong
understanding of philosophy of science. Studying psychology isn't about learning random
facts but about learning how studying human nature using the scientific method.
What do you want future students to know about your degree program?
It is the vision of OBU to train students in their chosen field with a high degree
of rigor and also to understand that field from a Christian Worldview. What makes
this program unique from other programs is that our goal is to teach you to look past
the trends in science and the whims of culture to seek truth and wisdom in the study
of psychology.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I spend most of my free time with my family and reading whenever I get the chance.
I also love hiking and rock climbing though I haven't had much opportunity to do the
latter since my son was born.
What has been a meaningful Bible verse or passage for you?
The book of Job is probably my favorite book of the Bible. In my field I study the
emotion of Awe and I find it incredible that in the final few chapters, God uses awe
to teach Job and to draw him into closer relationship. The book shows us that no matter
what we face in life, when we come face to face with the glory, wisdom, and majesty
of God, nothing else matters.
Publications
- Braswell, J.M. & Prichard, E.C. (In Preparation). Interactive Lab Manual for Research
Methods Classes of all Sizes.
- Braswell, J.M. & Prichard, E.C. (2023). Awe correlates with resilience to COVID-19
stressors independent of religiosity. Psychological Reports, 1-18.
- Prichard, E.C. Christman, S.D, & Walters, J.M. (2020). Perceptual and Motor Skills,
127, 789-802.
- Walters, J.M. Farley, J.P. Deater-Deckard, K., & Kim-Spoon, J. (2019). Predictors
of sibling victimization and associations with self-perception and relationship attachment
in adolescence. Journal of Early Adolescence, 1-23.
- Walters, J.M. & Kim-Spoon, J. (2014). Are religiousness and forgiveness protective
factors for adolescences experiencing peer victimization? Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment
and Trauma, 23, 1090-1108.
Note: Prior to her marriage, Dr. Braswell published under her maiden name, J.M. Walters.
