Dr. Mary Christopher

Mary Christopher

Dr. Mary M. Christopher, professor of educational studies, serves as associate dean of the Irvin school of Education at Hardin-Simmons University. Her responsibilities include program director of the Doctor of Education in Leadership, program director of the Master of Education in Gifted Education, and certification officer.

Christopher directs the Threshold Program, a summer enrichment program for gifted children, and organizes the Gifted Institute, an annual teacher workshop related to gifted education.

As professor in educational studies, she teaches courses on the local HSU campus as well as in remote graduate programs in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford area and the Mansfield area.

Christopher’s initial degree in elementary education at Texas Tech University led to a 15-year teaching career in public and private education in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kentucky. Her master’s degree in gifted education from the University of Louisville supported her passion for meeting the academic, social, and emotional needs of gifted children and resulted in her work, not only at HSU, but as a gifted education consultant for school districts and educational service centers throughout Texas.

During her doctoral program at Texas Tech University, she enhanced her study of gifted education and focused her dissertation on appropriate services for gifted students in the Honors Program at Texas Tech University.

Her professional involvement includes leadership in the Texas Association for Gifted and Talented, the National Association for Gifted Children, the Center for Ministry Effectiveness and Educational Leadership, the TEMPO Advisory Board, and Abilene Community Foundation.