Jarvis Christian University Awarded $130,000 NetVUE Grant to Transform Chapel into Campus-Wide Model for Vocational Formation
HAWKINS, Texas — Jarvis Christian University has been awarded a $130,000 grant from the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE), a program of the Council of Independent Colleges, to launch an innovative initiative that reimagines chapel as a comprehensive framework for vocational formation and student success.
The four-year initiative, “Chapel as Curriculum: A Campus-Wide Model for Vocational Formation at Jarvis Christian University,” will transform the university’s longstanding chapel tradition into an integrated educational experience that connects faith, academic learning, career exploration, and community engagement. The grant includes $65,000 in direct funding from NetVUE, to be matched by $65,000 in philanthropic support secured by the university.
Grounded in Jarvis Christian University’s Christian mission and heritage within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the initiative will establish a structured model through which students engage questions of purpose, identity, leadership, and calling throughout their undergraduate experience.
“At Jarvis Christian University, we believe education is about more than preparing students for careers—it is about preparing them for lives of purpose, service, and leadership,” said Rev. Dominique Isaac Grate, CFRE, CAP, Interim Vice President for Institutional Advancement & Development. “This investment allows us to build upon one of our most distinctive institutional traditions and create a sustainable model that integrates faith, vocation, and academic excellence across the student experience.”
Beginning in Fall 2026, students will participate in a thematic chapel curriculum complemented by structured reflection assignments and small-group Chapel Labs. These interactive learning experiences will encourage students to explore the relationship between their academic studies, personal values, faith, and professional aspirations while engaging faculty, staff, alumni, and community leaders in meaningful dialogue.
The project also introduces a cross-disciplinary model of vocational education by integrating chapel with academic programs, career development, student affairs, and experiential learning opportunities. Faculty Fellows representing multiple academic disciplines will facilitate Chapel Labs and help embed vocational reflection throughout the curriculum.
The initiative is expected to strengthen student engagement, improve retention and academic success, expand experiential learning opportunities, and better prepare graduates for meaningful careers and lives of service. Success will be measured through student participation, academic performance, retention, and post-graduate career outcomes.
The project will be led by Rev. Dr. Sedaric Dinkens, Director of Religious Life and University Chaplain, who will serve as Project Director. Rev. Dr. Maurice McMillion, Lead Professor of Religion, will serve as Chapel Labs Coordinator, overseeing day-to-day implementation and faculty engagement. The Division of Institutional Advancement & Development will lead fundraising efforts to secure the required matching funds while ensuring the initiative’s long-term sustainability.
NetVUE supports colleges and universities committed to helping students discern and pursue lives of meaning and purpose. Through grants, professional development, and collaborative learning, NetVUE encourages institutions to integrate vocational exploration into the undergraduate experience.
For Jarvis Christian University, the award represents more than grant funding—it affirms the institution’s commitment to educating the whole student. By connecting intellectual inquiry, spiritual formation, and career preparation within a unified educational framework, the university is creating an innovative model that prepares graduates to lead with purpose in their professions, communities, and the world.
Founded in 1912, Jarvis Christian University is a private, historically Black liberal arts university affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Guided by its mission of educating the head, the heart, and the hand, the university prepares students for lives of service, leadership, and lifelong learning.