HPU: Social Work Dept

05/14/2026

So proud of our recent graduate, Lexi Gonzalez-Ewen, and her work at Center for Life Resources!

Our Child & Adolescent Department had the opportunity to speak with Mrs. Miller’s class at Brownwood Middle School about the importance of mental health, healthy coping strategies, and having supportive people in your life. 💚

We love getting to connect with students and help encourage open conversations about mental wellness. Thank you to Mrs. Miller and Brownwood Middle School for inviting us to be part of such an important discussion!

04/29/2026

🎉 Congratulations to our Outstanding Social Work Senior of the Year, Maya Rivera! She has worked incredibly hard and maintained a 4.0 GPA in Social Work. This is such a well-deserved honor, and we are so proud of her!

04/15/2026

We are thankful to have one of our community partners, the Child Welfare Board of Brown County, on campus today. Make time to stop and experience the Walk of Knowledge.

Our Walk of Knowledge is now on display at the Maybee Center until 2 PM today.

Each pair of shoes you see represents a confirmed case of child abuse in Brown County. Take a moment to walk through, reflect, and truly see the impact these numbers represent.

Behind every pair is a child, a story, and a reminder of why awareness and prevention matter.

We encourage you to stop by, learn, and stand with us in protecting the children in our community. 💙

04/14/2026

Go check The ARK Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Shelter’s visual display they have set up to raise awareness and educate to promote sexual assault awareness and prevention.

04/14/2026

Recently, Mrs. Ray’s Practice II class had the privilege of hearing from two guest speakers that lead and coordinate GriefShare groups at Southside Church. Mrs. Alison Bryant and Mrs. Patty Baker imparted such wisdom on leading faith-based grief focused groups. These partnerships are what make our program great!

04/01/2026

We appreciated the visit from the Child Welfare Board of Brown County this morning! April is Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness month. Make sure to follow their page to see how you can support children and families in Brown county this month and all year round.

03/31/2026

A big thank you to Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission and Dr. Litzler for adding so much to this Capitol trip. We are grateful for their partnership!

We recently had the privilege of meeting with Howard Payne University Professor Ciera Ray’s social services programs, policy, and issues students as they visited the Capitol in Austin. We always enjoy escorting Texas Baptists around the grounds and explaining the ins-and-outs of the legislative process. We can even facilitate meetings with legislators or their staff.
If you or a group from your church are ever wanting to visit Austin, please let us know!
Sting ‘em!

03/27/2026

In preparation for the upcoming first annual Bridging Calling & Career: Social Sciences Day event on March 28th, we will be highlighting our panel speakers for that day.
Meet Taylor Kent!
Taylor Kent is a dedicated Juvenile Probation Officer serving Brown and Mills County, committed to guiding youth toward accountability, growth, and positive life choices. A graduate of Howard Payne University with a degree in Criminal Justice, Taylor combines academic knowledge with a deep personal passion for making a difference in the lives of young people.
Inspired by a father who devoted 28 years to working with youth in the community, Taylor chose a career in juvenile probation with a clear sense of purpose. Witnessing firsthand the impact of mentorship, structure, and compassion instilled a strong desire to continue that legacy of service.
In this role, Taylor works closely with young men and women to help them develop essential life skills, build responsibility, and recognize their potential. While understanding the importance of the work from an early age, Taylor has found the experience to be even more rewarding than expected bringing a profound sense of pride and fulfillment.
Through dedication and empathy, Taylor strives not only to support youth in becoming better versions of themselves, but also acknowledges the personal growth gained along the way. Each interaction reinforces a shared journey of development, resilience, and positive change.
If you are interested in attending this event, alumni can register here: https://forms.monday.com/.../5aebeffcf7daba79ae404205af02...
Prospective students may register here: https://enroll.hputx.edu/portal/events?tab=virtual
Current Students: Please email Ciera Ray at [email protected]

03/26/2026

In preparation for the upcoming first annual Bridging Calling & Career: Social Sciences Day event on March 28th, we will be highlighting our panel speakers for that day.
Meet Niki Brown!
Katherine “Niki” Brown grew up in Eastland, Texas, and attended Howard Payne University to study Social Work directly after. Her passion for ministry began in high school through prison outreach and continued as she served youth in what is now the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD). Having experienced trauma in her own life, Niki felt called by the Lord to help young people believe they can overcome their past and build a better future.
After graduating HPU in 2001, Niki began working with foster youth at New Horizons Ranch before joining TJJD as a Case Manager in 2002. Over the past 24 years, she has served in various roles, including working with serious and violent offenders and later helping reunite youth with their families through parole services. In 2025, she returned to case management at the Ron Jackson Unit in Brownwood, continuing her deep commitment to youth and families.
Niki is also passionate about the arts and is actively involved in theater, singing, and music. She is a cancer survivor, in remission since 2012. She and her husband Kevin, married nearly 25 years, have helped raise their two nephews, who remain a central part of their lives. Above all, Niki’s faith is her foundation, and she strives to keep Christ at the center of all she does.
If you are interested in attending this event, alumni can register here: https://forms.monday.com/.../5aebeffcf7daba79ae404205af02...
Prospective students may register here: https://enroll.hputx.edu/portal/events?tab=virtual
Current Students: Please email Ciera Ray at [email protected].

03/23/2026

In preparation for the upcoming first annual Bridging Calling & Career: Social Sciences Day event on March 28th, we will be highlighting our panel speakers for that day.

Meet Nicole Griffin!

Nicole Griffin is originally from Needville, TX, a small town outside of Houston. She excelled academically in high school and could have gone to almost any university, but wanted a smaller, Christian college and fell in love with Howard Payne on her first visit. At HPU, Nicole originally majored in biomedical sciences, but changed her major in her second semester first year and majored in Psychology and the Honors Academy. Nicole graduated with a 4.0 in the spring of 2025. She then married in January of 2025 to Austin Griffin, and soon after graduation moved to Vega, Texas, where they are currently serving. Nicole’s husband is the head pastor at FBC Vega, and she has been helping both she and her husband get settled in. Nicole is currently serving at FBC Vega, training their new puppy, Gimli, and applying for master's programs to get a graduate degree in psychology with the end goal of counseling.

If you are interested in attending this event, alumni can register here: https://forms.monday.com/forms/5aebeffcf7daba79ae404205af028031?r=use1

Prospective students may register here: https://enroll.hputx.edu/portal/events?tab=virtual

Current Students: Please email Ciera Ray at [email protected].