Crutchfield named third Next Generation Faculty Fellow
Kim Chaudoin |
Jamelun Crutchfield has been selected as the third recipient of Lipscomb University’s Next Generation Faculty Fellowship.
The Next Generation Program, which was developed out of Goal 4 in the Lipscomb Impact 360 Strategic Plan, aims to foster a more robust representation of faculty and administration from underrepresented groups at Lipscomb University. Those chosen to participate in the program receive full tuition to complete their doctoral studies in an academic area of need at Lipscomb. In turn, students will commit to return to Lipscomb upon the successful completion of their doctorate to serve in a faculty role for five years.
A native of Lebanon, Tennessee, Crutchfield is a research coordinator for a Vanderbilt University study on early learning and examining components of scientific literacy. The study is being replicated in Memphis to expand the research. Crutchfield has assisted with training the Memphis research team and reviewing data as that project gets underway. In addition, she is an outpatient therapist with Therapy Space in Nashville.
Crutchfield graduated from Lipscomb with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology in 2018 and with a Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling in 2022. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology.
"I'm honored to be selected for this fellowship and it is a wonderful opportunity for me," said Crutchfield. "Education has always meant a lot to my family. As Lipscomb was a place where I received two degrees, I feel like this is coming full circle. I am really excited about this opportunity to pass along what I have learned to other new therapists."
William Turner, special counsel to the president and distinguished professor of psychology and family therapy, said Crutchfield reflects the true spirit of the fellowship.
"Jamelun far exceeded the criteria for the Next Generation Faculty Fellowship," said Turner. "Her commitment to faith and scholarship were evident in her interview. Her interest in psychology and working with undergraduates is also an area of great need for us. Jamelun has the intellect, the spirituality and the personality that we think will make her a great Lipscomb professor."
Crutchfield's journey to Lipscomb began after she graduated with an Associate Degree from Vol State Community College and transferred to her mother's alma mater — Lipscomb University — to pursue a bachelor's degree.
As an undergraduate student, Crutchfield was very involved in several student organizations on campus including serving as an officer for the Black Student Union and helping plan International WOW Weeks for the Office of Intercultural Development. She also worked in the University Counseling Center where her passion for serving others began to solidify.
"My time at Lipscomb was very transformative for me," she explained. "Coming in as a transfer student, initially I was a little unsure about finding community here because those who came in as freshmen got a head start on building that. I really enjoyed going to chapel consistently. I came in with a faith but at Lipscomb I was able to really go deeper in my relationship with God through the speakers in chapel, going to Bible class and just being around like-minded people. Faith is intertwined with everything at Lipscomb."
While Crutchfield had a number of options when she decided to pursue a master's degree, she chose Lipscomb because of her undergraduate experience and reputation of the program.
"I was drawn to the authenticity of the program," she said. "Something very special about Lipscomb is that professors take their time with students and really want to see them grow. I really wanted to have that experience in my graduate program, too. And through this new opportunity to come back and be a part of the faculty at Lipscomb I want to do that for students."
Crutchfield particularly credits Denis' Thomas, adjunct graduate counseling faculty, and DeAndrea Witherspoon Nash, director of the clinical mental health counseling program, with having a transformative impact on her life.
A Lipscomb mission trip to the Village of Hope in Ghana, West Africa, also made a tremendous impact on Crutchfield's life. While there she served at the orphanage and the school and had an opportunity to work in the psychiatric hospital.
"This mission trip was my favorite experience while I was a Lipscomb student," she recalled. "It was an incredible opportunity."
Crutchfield's time at Lipscomb coupled with her own experience with therapy inspired her to pursue a career in counseling.
"Growing up I saw my father grapple with mental health struggles and watched his experience with community health resources fostered a desire in me to make the system a little better," she explained. "I also have my own testimony of going through therapy and experienced how much it changed my life. To me it feels like the love of God is in the room with you when you are in a very transformative therapy session. So, I just wanted to pass that along to other people."
Last year, Honors College alumna Shawna Mann (’23), received the fellowship. A native of Deltona, Florida, Mann is the communications coordinator and video content creator for the Frist Art Museum in Nashville. She earned her undergraduate degree in journalism and new media from Lipscomb in May 2023. Mann plans to pursue a doctorate degree in communications, film and media studies, or culture and performance.
Thabile Tshatedi Brown (BA ’19, MBA ’20), a former tennis team captain and graduate of the College of Business from Zimbabwe, was selected as the first recipient of Lipscomb’s new Next Generation Fellowship in 2023. Brown currently works as IT project coordinator for Specialty Dental Brands in Nashville and plans to apply to hybrid doctorate programs in the area of information systems or health care informatics.