CGPS 2017 Professor of the Year: Dr. Maurita Hodge

The graduating Class of 2017 selected Dr. Maurita Hodge, LPC, Social and Behavioral Sciences Chair, as their professor of the year. Get to know a little bit about Dr. Hodge: 

What is your title/role at Point?

I serve as the Chair for the Social and Behavioral Sciences Department (SABS) in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. I provide support to the students, staff and faculty for the educational environment. As a chair, I see my role as a support system – professionally and personally. It is my goal to not only uphold the mission of Point University, but also prepare others for the helping profession and serving God’s people.

2 Timothy 2:1-7 (ESV): You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

What brought you to Point?

While working in the public school arena as a counselor, I began getting the itch for teaching. This itch became so strong that I began facilitating workshops for a few agencies in the areas (e.g., Parenting Workshops, Teen Workshops, Professional Development Workshops, etc.). Although I was having a lot of fun, I wanted to do more. Sitting in Barnes & Nobles, a young lady overheard my conversation with my friend, and suggested I apply to Point University. In my head, I was going to teach one, maybe two classes and do other things in the profession. Well, as you guessed it, I did not hear from Point. So now we are here, two years later and I get a call from an unknown number. I contemplated not answering; but, I picked up the phone. Dr. Harrison began talking, and I almost dropped the phone when he asked me if I wanted to come in for an interview. In my most professional voice, I agreed to come in for the interview, and the rest is history. Truth be told, when I hung up I started screaming and jumping around, stubbed my toe, cried a little and called my mother. Those tears served so many purposes on that day.

What is your biggest professional accomplishment?

I wish I could pinpoint just one professional accomplishment. Do I talk about the seeing the faces of students who participate in my class? Do I talk about the student who sends me pictures of a graduation in which they received their master’s degree? Do I talk about the student who told me she would not give up because she heard me speaking hope into her (not in a ‘I need to diagnose her and prescribe medication’ kind of way)? I could also talk about the requests to speak to groups (teens and adults) on various topics. I could talk about the services I provide to a child and/or family when working with DFCS Personnel. At the end of the day, was I effective?

Philippians 2:3-7(ESV): Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

What is your biggest passion outside of your career?

It is impossible to speak about my passion without speaking about my profession because it presents the same in everything I do. Thinking about my journey (my childhood, teens, young adult life, religious development, professional path), everything has prepared me to serve in the helping field. My experiences became my message. My message became my mission. My mission became my passion. My passion is my destiny. In essence, my life was built by God.

Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of things I enjoy doing outside of my destiny. I really enjoy being pampered (hair, nails, massages, someone to make me a meal). I also enjoy spending time with my family and friends.

What is your favorite class to teach?

The restructuring of the program has allowed me to be even more animated than usual; therefore, I really enjoy teaching every course with the exception of two – Human Sexuality and the Intro to Research.

Because I am self-aware, I recognize that I am not mature enough to teach the Human Sexuality course. Trust me when I tell you there would be a lot of silent reading in the class – no demonstrations, no explanations, and no presentations!  As for Intro to Research course, it does not allow me to be animated enough – I may put myself to sleep. This does not mean I will not teach the courses; however, it would be difficult.

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