Faith at the Core: How Baylor CSD Integrates Spirituality and Learning

Faith is more than a guiding principle in Baylor University’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD)—it’s the foundation upon which it is built. Rooted in Christian values, the undergraduate and graduate programs both incorporate faith into the classroom as well as the Baylor Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic, in turn equipping students to serve others through their God-given knowledge and compassion.

Jeremy Hathway, CCC-SLP, Clinical Associate Professor, brings a special blend of academia and faith into his teaching. As a licensed speech-language pathologist since 2006, he has evaluated and treated clients with voice disorders—experience that has shaped his perspective on the field and deepened his sense of calling within it. Specifically, Hathway is passionate about guiding CSD undergraduate students in how to recognize the worth of every individual they serve throughout their career. It is a passion that is deeply rooted in his faith.

“Communication is deeply tied to our ability to connect with those around us,” Hathway said. “When we help someone regain their voice or improve their ability to communicate, we’re not just giving them a skill, but we’re helping them express themselves. In turn, they can form and deepen relationships, both with other people and with God.”  

His personal journey with speech-language pathology began with his love for voice therapy, which allows him to help individuals gain back one of the most personal aspects of their identity—their voice. As a former singer himself, Hathway understands the emotional toll that voice disorders can take. Before joining Baylor CSD’s faculty, he spent more than a decade at a multidisciplinary voice center, where he worked closely with singers, teachers, and individuals who relied on their voices, whether for personal or professional use. This experience, combined with his own background in choral music, continues to influence how he teaches Baylor students today. 

“I always tell my students that speech-language pathology is not just about treating disorders, but it’s about getting to be the hands and feet of Jesus as we serve our clients and partner with Him in the healing process,” Hathway said. “Whether we’re working with a child who has never spoken a word, a client who has completely lost his or her voice, or an adult recovering from a stroke, our role is to love and serve them by treating them with the knowledge, skills, and experience the Lord has given us. And to me, that’s a direct reflection of Christ’s love—meeting people where they are and walking alongside them in their journey.”  

Beyond coursework, Hathway openly shares his faith with Baylor students, encouraging them to see their future roles as speech-language pathologists as an avenue of ministry. He believes that in clinical settings, providers can reflect Christ’s love through patience, kindness, and a commitment to care. His passion for integrating faith into education is evident in the way he engages with students, making it a part of both their learning and personal growth.

Similarly, Deborah Rainer, CCC-SLP, Clinical Associate Professor and Associate Chair for Residential Clinic and Online Programs, brings a deep sense of faith-inspired passion to the CSD program. Rainer views her career in education as an opportunity to shape students into both successful professionals and compassionate caregivers.

“Every single patient we work with has a story, and faith allows us to see the whole person—not just their diagnosis,” Rainer said.

For Rainer, faith is a constant presence in both her personal and professional life. She regularly incorporates scripture into her teaching and participates in daily devotionals with CSD students and faculty.

“This morning, I had the opportunity to lead our faculty devotional,” Rainer said. “We also have Lenten devotionals for our students, and we as faculty attend alongside them. It’s a meaningful way to connect beyond the classroom.”  

Her office, she says, is always open—not just for academic conversations but as a space where students know they can come for prayer and encouragement. One of her most memorable moments came last semester when a student noticed she seemed “off.”   

“She stepped into my office and asked, ‘Are you okay?’ Before I could answer, she said, ‘No, you’re not.’ She left and came back with another student, and they said, ‘We’re going to pray over Professor Rainer right now.’ They closed the door and just started praying over me—it was truly the sweetest experience,” Rainer recalled. 

For Rainer, moments like these confirm that faith is not just a component of the CSD program, but rather the heart of it.

“Faith teaches us that restoration is always possible,” Rainer said. “That’s what drives me, helping our students understand that their work isn’t just about speech therapy, it’s much bigger than that.”  

The impact of the program’s faith-centered approach reaches beyond the faculty, as it deeply influences Baylor students. CSD senior Jenna Juarez lives out this integration of faith and service through her involvement with the ministry Mentoring Alliance. This nonprofit organization provides mentorship and support to children and families facing various challenges. When she volunteered with the program last summer, Juarez had the opportunity to help with children struggling with communication barriers—the perfect blend of her passion for speech therapy and her commitment to sharing Christ’s love.

“Baylor’s CSD program and faculty have taught me that speech therapy isn’t just about techniques and assessments, but it’s about people,” Juarez said. “Additionally, being involved with Mentoring Alliance has given me a chance to put that into practice by showing kids that their voices matter and that they are valued.”  

Through the guidance and mentorship of faculty members like Hathway and Rainer, students like Juarez are discovering that their future careers are not simply about speech therapy, but rather about serving others in a way that reflects their faith. Whether in the classroom, the clinic, or the community, Baylor’s CSD program shapes professionals who not only heal but also encourage, who believe that faith and communication go hand in hand. 

ABOUT ROBBINS COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SCIENCES AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Established in 2014, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences seeks to enhance health, quality of life, and human flourishing for all individuals and communities through education, research, and innovation. It includes six academic departments—Communication Sciences and Disorders; Health, Human Performance, and Recreation; Human Sciences and Design; Occupational Therapy; Physical Therapy; and Public Health—along with the Division of Health Professions, which houses the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program. Robbins College offers 13 bachelor’s degrees, eight master’s degrees, and six doctoral degrees, as well as nine graduate programs in partnership with the U.S. Army. Graduate programs in Robbins College are offered in a variety of modalities, including on campus, online, and hybrid.