ABOUT

The 2021 Hatfield Prize reports explore the pandemic’s impact on food insecurity, children’s health, and the foster care system. Writing from a distinctly Christian perspective, the authors make a vital and timely contribution to current policy discussions and offer practical recommendations for government and civil society.

The 2021 Hatfield Prize recipients are: Seth Billingsley and Daniel Bennett, Ph.D. (John Brown University), Chenyu Lin and Julie Woodman, Ph.D. (Colorado Christian University), and Matthew Strong and Mark Moland, DPA (LeTourneau University).

Seth Billingsley

Seth Billingsley graduated from John Brown University in 2021 with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in international business and a Bachelor’s of Arts in political science. He completed his research for The Hatfield Prize during his senior year. Seth served as the Co-Chair of his university’s American Enterprise Institute Executive Council as well as the Chair for the Intercollegiate Studies Institute student board at his school. Billingsley’s undergraduate research and experiences centered on a variety of topics including education policy, macroeconomics, and the intersection of faith and politics. He now works as Environment Texas’ Conservation Associate in Austin, Texas. Seth is passionate about climate change and has worked for over a decade to rehabilitate injured and orphaned birds of prey.

Daniel Bennett, Ph.D.

Daniel Bennett, Ph.D., is an associate professor of political science at John Brown University, where he teaches American politics, constitutional law, political behavior, research methods, and more. His research generally focuses on the intersection of politics, law, and religion in the United States; his current research examines the politicization of religious freedom and the influence of group attitudes on support for constitutional protections. In addition to his academic publications he has written for popular outlets like Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, and Religion and Politics. He also serves as assistant director at the Center for Faith and Flourishing, and has served as both president and vice-president for Christians in Political Science. He and his wife live in Siloam Springs, AR with their three children.

Chenyu Lin

Chenyu Lin is a junior nursing major at Colorado Christian University and intends to pursue her doctorate in nursing practice upon her graduation in 2023. She completed her research for The Hatfield Prize during her sophomore year. Lin desires to be a leader who creates new leaders, seen in her work as a Resident Assistant, Teaching Assistant, and Peer Tutor. She serves as the founder and president of CCU’s Nurses Christian Fellowship, is a World Changers Scholarship recipient, is a member of the Student Advisory Council for Race and Ethnicity, and is a volunteer for International Students, Incorporated. Her passion for promoting holistic health (spiritual, physical, and emotional) was shaped by volunteering with Boys and Girls Club and Street Church. In the future, she hopes to work in the mission field, empowering parents and children to focus on preventing illness and maintaining holistic health. In her free time, she is studying to become a polyglot, loves reading science-fiction, enjoys piecing together puzzles, and loves traveling to new places to learn about different people groups and cultures.

Julie Woodman, Ph.D.

Julie Woodman, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Colorado Christian University where she teaches a variety of biology-based courses, including genetics and microbiology. Julie received her Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from Colorado State University. She then received her Ph.D. in molecular biology from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, with research that focused on chromosome dynamics and a genetic disorder called Cornelia de Lange Syndrome. Julie’s additional research interests include the identification of effective methods for STEM teaching and learning in diverse student populations as well as the public health impacts of infectious disease. At CCU, she continues her career in biomedical research while also teaching and mentoring undergraduate students. Julie was born and raised in Colorado, where she currently lives with her husband and their two daughters.

Matthew Strong

Matthew Strong is a junior Physics Engineering major at LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas. He completed his research for The Hatfield Prize during his sophomore year. Having grown up in Asia, he desires to use his current STEM education to teach and provide schooling opportunities domestically and internationally. In 2018 Strong received the East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS) Global Citizenship award for significant engagement in his community, including flood relief and interaction with refugees. Strong has been an active member of his university as a peer advisor and student instructor. He was a LeTourneau student representative at the Student Congress on Racial Reconciliation (SCORR) held at Biola University in early 2020. Growing up amongst marginalized communities in Asia, he has used this background to establish a rich social network focused on reconciliation and growth through multiple organizations in Longview. His desire is to see the glory of God established in communities across the world as they holistically develop through refined education enhanced by illuminating research.

Mark Moland, DPA

Mark G. Moland, DPA, is an Associate Professor of Political Science & Criminal Justice at LeTourneau University. Moland earned his Doctor of Public Administration from California Baptist University. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Government from the US Coast Guard Academy, and a Master of Public Policy from Duke University. Prior to teaching at LeTourneau, Moland retired as a Commander from the U. S. Coast Guard after a 21-year career specializing in boat operations, search and rescue, and homeland security. His research areas include criminal justice reform, foster care, immigration, and ethics. Moland is also a Colson Fellow and a graduate of the World Journalism Institute’s Mid-career program. He and his wife Shana have four children and live in Henderson, Texas.