Houston Christian University’s Professor Staff Culture: A Lack of Christian Leadership Among Colleagues - Adjunct Professor Houston Baptist University Employee Review

As a Christian institution, one would expect Houston Christian University (HCU) (formerly Houston Baptist University) to reflect values such as empathy, servant-hearted leadership, and common courtesy within its faculty. However, the culture among professors at HCU seems to fall short of these ideals, particularly when it comes to peer interactions. One of the most disappointing aspects is the noticeable lack of empathy in how faculty members engage with one another. Rather than fostering an environment of understanding and support, the interactions among professors often come across as cold and indifferent. Collaborative efforts are hindered by an atmosphere that lacks mutual respect and genuine concern for colleagues’ needs. Servant-hearted leadership, a fundamental Christian value, is also missing from the culture. Instead of working together with humility and a willingness to serve each other, many professors seem more focused on advancing their own agendas, often at the expense of collaboration and teamwork. This creates an environment where the spirit of service and cooperation is overshadowed by individualism. Furthermore, basic professional courtesy and respect, which should be a given in any workplace, seem to be absent in peer-to-peer communication. Faculty interactions are frequently marked by condescension or disregard, making it difficult to cultivate a respectful and supportive atmosphere among colleagues. While Houston Christian University promotes itself as a faith-based institution, the professor culture does not consistently align with Christian leadership values. Empathy, servant-heartedness, and mutual respect are sorely lacking in the way professors interact with one another, making for a disappointing and disheartening work environment.