ACSI Research Fellow Program

91爆料成人片 / Thought Leadership / ACSI Research Fellow Program
Program Overview

The Research Fellowship program at ACSI offers a unique opportunity for talented researchers to contribute to advancing the field of Christian education while addressing critical global challenges. By fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovative research, the program aims to make a significant impact on the world stage.

Program Aims:
  • Create a vibrant and inclusive international research community.
  • Foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovative solutions to address both US and global challenges through research projects in Christian education.
 
Program Oversight:
  • The fellows will collaboratively work with ACSI’s research department and Thought Leadership and the Research Director will oversee the program.

 

ACSI Fellows Collaborate on Research to Advance Faith-Based Education

ACSI Fellows collaborate with the Thought Leadership team (Research Department) to develop research and Working Papers on important topics in education, spirituality, and culture, focusing on their impact within the realm of Christian education. Their work addresses current trends and challenges, offering valuable insights for advancing faith-based learning.

Research in Brief

RiB is a biannual publication by ACSI, aimed at sharing the latest research findings and insights on the Christian school sector. It is available exclusively to ACSI member school and is managed by ACSI Director of Research.

 

Current Fellows
Lynn Swaner

 

Lynn Swaner Ed.D.

President of Cardus USA – ACSI Senior Research Fellow
Dr. Lynn Swaner is the President, US at Cardus, a non-partisan think tank dedicated to clarifying and strengthening, through research and dialogue, the ways in which society’s institutions can work together for the common good. She also serves as a Senior Fellow for the 91爆料成人片 (ACSI). Dr. Swaner is the editor or lead author of numerous books, including Future Ready: Innovative Missions and Models in Christian Education (Cardus & ACSI, 2022); Flourishing Together: A Christian Vision for Students, Educators, and Schools (Eerdmans, 2021); and MindShift: Catalyzing Change in Christian Education (ACSI, 2019). Dr. Swaner holds a doctorate in organizational leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University and a diploma in strategy and innovation from University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School. She previously served as a professor of education and a Christian school leader in New York.
Matthew Lee

 

Matthew Lee, Ph.D.

Clinical Assistant Professor of Economics at Kennesaw State University - ACSI Senior Research Fellow
Matthew Lee is Clinical Assistant Professor of Economics at Kennesaw State University. He previously served as the Director of Research at the 91爆料成人片, where he helped develop the Flourishing Faith Index. His peer-reviewed research on Christian education has appeared in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, Journal of Religious and Health, International Journal of Educational Development, and the Journal of Religious Education. He is co-author of Future Ready (ACSI/Cardus 2022) and co-editor of Religious Liberty and Education (Rowman & Littlefield 2020). He earned his Ph.D. in education policy at the University of Arkansas.
Francis Ben

 

Francis Ben, Ph.D.

Associate Professor & Head of Postgraduate Coursework and Research at Tabor College Adelaide Australia – ACSI Global Research Fellow
Francis has more than 30 combined years of experience in secondary and tertiary education. He has an undergraduate qualification in Civil Engineering, and postgraduate qualifications in Physics and Education. At secondary schools in North Carolina, he taught mathematics and physics subjects. He also taught Physics, Research Methods, and Education-related subjects at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines. His research and publications include Physics Education, Educational Measurement, large-scale studies (e.g., PISA). He is currently Head of Postgraduate Programs and Research in the Education Faculty at Tabor College of Higher Education in South Australia.
Alison Heap Johnson

 

Alison Heape Johnson

PhD candidate at the University of Arkansas – ACSI Junior Research Fellow
Alison is a PhD candidate and Distinguished Doctoral Fellow at the University of Arkansas where she studies education policy, with research interests in school finance, school choice, and teacher/administrator pipelines. She previously taught in both public and Christian schools and has a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master’s degree in teaching English as a second language. She and her husband Blake reside in Arkansas with their newborn daughter and enjoy exploring the beauty of the Natural State and gathering with their church where Blake is a pastoral resident.
Become A Fellow
    Eligibility:
    • Understanding of Christian education.
    • Strong academic credentials (e.g., relevant degrees, publications, minimum a Ph.D. candidate in education programs for Junior Fellow and a Ph.D. or Ed.D. for Senior Fellow).
    • Demonstrated research excellence.
    • Experience in international research collaboration.
    • Excellent English communication skills.
    • Minimum five years experience of doing research.
     
    Nomination and selection process:
    • The selection of the fellows is done through ACSI’s internal nomination.
    Blog

    Cultural Integration of International Students

    Aug 5, 2025, 11:03 by Dr. Robin Hom
    Many Christian schools have taken on the profound calling to minister to international students. These residents of other countries attend school in the United States on a special visa, often seeking a better education than they would receive in their home country. As Christian educators, our goal should be to minister to these students in a manner that goes beyond academics. Maslow鈥檚 Hierarchy of Needs teaches us that addressing basic needs is foundational to nurturing students who can excel academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

    Many Christian schools have taken on the profound calling to minister to international students. These residents of other countries attend school in the United States on a special visa, often seeking a better education than they would receive in their home country. As Christian educators, our goal should be to minister to these students in a manner that goes beyond academics. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs teaches us that addressing basic needs is foundational to nurturing students who can excel academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. Our mission should extend beyond passively waiting for international students to adapt to our school culture. Our calling compels us to create an inclusive and supportive environment where every student – including the international student – feels loved, accepted, capable, and valued.  

    Here are a few simple ways your school can make international students an integral part of your school community and earn the trust, credibility, and right to speak and share Christ’s love and God’s truth into their lives: 

    1. Personalized Welcomes: Start by organizing a personal meet-and-greet with the Head of School and top officials for each international student. Taking an individual photo with the student not only sends a powerful message of care and importance but also creates a memorable connection. These photos should be shared with parents back home, fostering trust and reassurance from the first day of arrival. 
    2. Regular Communication: Maintain proactive communication with international students and their families throughout the school year. Regular updates on academic progress, school events, and personal achievements help parents feel connected and involved in their child’s educational journey abroad. It sends the message that not only do you care for the student, but the parents and their involvement are valued as well. 
    3. Cultural and Language Support: Prepare bilingual materials in the student’s native language well before their arrival. These resources should include essential information about school policies, procedures, and daily routines. Having staff members who not only understand the student’s language, but also their culture, can facilitate smoother integration and provide culturally sensitive support throughout their time at the school. If your school doesn’t have such a person, contact a local church with a ministry to members of that ethnic community and see if they can assist. 
    4. Cultural Awareness Training: Offer comprehensive training on cultural awareness and appreciation for both staff and students. This training should cover not only language but also cultural norms, traditions, and values. Understanding these aspects fosters empathy and respect within the school community, leading to more meaningful interactions and relationships. 
    5. Spiritual Support: Integrate spiritual support tailored to the needs of international students. Offer Bible classes in their native language, provide bilingual Bibles, and incorporate spiritual activities that resonate with their cultural background. These opportunities not only strengthen the formation of their faith but also encourage more personal and deeper engagement with biblical principles and values. 
    6. Student Ambassadors: Provide opportunities for your student leaders to get to know your international students. Give them opportunities to spend time together both here and in the international student’s homeland. Use the student ambassadors to start friendships among students and promote interaction and understanding. Student ambassadors can also guide and help international students know and understand how things work at your school, such as joining a club, participating in sports, registering for classes, going through the lunch line, asking for a teacher’s help, etc. 

    If you travel to a foreign land, visit a new college campus, or attend a different church for the first time, you know the little things that make a big difference in making you feel welcome: signs and directions in your native language; clearly labeled instructions; a help or information desk; warm and smiling people to assist. Now imagine what our international students face when they visit our country, school, families, and culture for the first time. Just a few gestures on our part will turn apprehension into anticipation and make international students feel truly welcomed. 

    Ultimately, our goal in international student ministry is not just academic excellence but also spiritual transformation. We are called to follow Christ’s example and embrace and empower those who are like strangers in a new land. Through these simple steps, our hope is that every international student who enters a Christian school will experience an environment that reflects God’s love—a place where they can grow academically, socially, and spiritually, finding in us not just educators but also spiritual mentors and ultimately a community of believers. 

     

    Previously published on August 26, 2024.