Tim Hess ’03

Psychology

Biography

I am the oldest of 2 children raised in a small Ohio town. I actually did my 1st Taylor visit as a child when our family friends convinced several families to take a road trip to Taylor. I attended Taylor for my undergrad, met my future wife my 1st weekend at the square dance, was part of the 1st Irish Studies Program semester, did a year of Rice Pilaf, and lived all four years on Sammy II in the new building. After graduating, I worked for a summer as line staff in a locked residential facility for teen girls-it was not a good fit. After that, I worked for several months at the local Marion Community Behavioral Health Center in their school program teaching mental health skills to children. I got married and my wife and I both started the Masters Program at Ball State. I then went to Arizona State for my Doctorate in Counseling Psychology and completed my final Internship at Penn State's University Counseling Center. My job after that was back at Ball State in the Counseling Center. My roles at BSU have included Psychologist, Group Coordinator, and now Associate Director for Clinical Services.

What were some of your most valuable experiences at Taylor?

I loved living on Sammy II; I learned how much my brand of faith and life was not the breadth of Christian faith.

How did your classes or interactions with professors at Taylor impact your growth?

My Irish Studies Program semester was incredible and showed me the beauty and history of Ireland; I learned to see culture in new ways. I took a Christian Education course where we read A New Kind of Christian which helped me see faith in new and exciting ways.

How can Taylor graduates use their unique Taylor education and its liberal arts foundational core as an asset in your discipline?

Taylor taught me to not be afraid to search. If God really is as big as we believe, then we have nothing to fear. Then President Jay Kesler encouraged us to search hard without fear.

What advice or encouragement could you provide for Taylor students in your vocational discipline?

Taylor will prepare you in many ways, and the world is larger. My graduate experiences helped me see a larger world and perspectives that were vastly different than my own. Go forth without fear; the world is not out to get you. Love others well.