Intercultural Studies and Missions
Education
Ph.D., (Human & Community Development)
University of Illinois, Urbana, 1998
M.S., (Human & Community Development)
University of Illinois, Urbana, 1992
B.A., (Psychology) Blackburn College, 1985
About Susan Greener
Susan has invested in work and research with children-at-risk for over two decades in universities and Christian non-governmental organizations. She has served in global development work as a programming leader for Mission of Mercy and Compassion International, working with children and youth living in extreme poverty in more than 30 nations. She has also served in the academy as a researcher in emotional intelligence and health behavior at Yale University, an Assistant Professor and Executive Director of an Early Head Start program while at Berry College, and a Dean of Students for Trinity Evangelical Divinity and Graduate Schools. She is passionate about resourcing the church to engage in transformational and holistic ministry, particularly with children and families in difficult circumstances.
She has been married to Jay, rector of Church of the Redeemer in Highland Park, since 1981 and has three grown children and two daughters-in-law (Jonathan and Emily, Caitlin, and Nicholas and Lauren) and one grandchild (Owen). When not working she can usually be found with her nose in a novel, solving a crossword puzzle, spending time with her family, playing with pets or small children or laughing with friends.
Courses Taught
- Intercultural Communication
- Mission to Children at Risk
- Cross-Cultural Research
- Theology of Development
- Principles of Development
- Families in International Settings
Membership in Professional Societies
Research
- Global issues facing children-at-risk
- Global conceptualizations of human development/childhood/family
- Equipping educational persons working with children-at-risk
- Child theology/spirituality (especially in areas of suffering and risk)
- Integration of sound social science with theology for maximum holistic ministry impact.
Publications and Papers
Greener, S.H. & Oladipo, R., Chief Editors, (in press). Our Children, Our Being: Christian Reflections and Research on Child Development in an African Context. Nairobi, Kenya: Daystar University Press.
Greener, S.H. (February, 2013). Raising Samuel: Releasing Children to Discover God’s Purpose. 4-14 Window Missiology Conference. Seoul, South Korea.
Greener, S.H. (June, 2012). Whose Childhood? Global Experiences of Children-at-Risk and Spiritual Formation. Children’s Spirituality Conference: Christian Perspectives, Concordia University, Chicago. Plenary presentation.
Greener, S.H. (2011). Book Review: Listening to Children on the Spritual Journey: Guidance for Those Who Teach and Nurture. Trinity Journal, 32(2), pp. 277-279.
Greener, S.H. (Fall, 2008). Book Review: Flawed Families of the Bible: How God’s Grace works Through Imperfect Relationships. Trinity Journal (Vol. 29 NS, No. 2), pp. 336-7.
Greener, S.H. (2003). Breaking the Cycle, Loosing the Chains: The Role of Children in Relief and Development. Association of Relief and Development Organizations Annual Conference, Chevy Chase, Maryland.
Greener, S.H. (2003). The Abused and Traumatized Child in Context. Celebrating Children: Equipping Christians Working with Children at Risk Across the World. Paternoster Press.
Greener, S.H. (2003). The Child in Context: Factors that Optimize Development. Celebrating Children: Equipping Christian Working with Children at Risk Across the World. Paternoster Press.
Greener, S.H. (2002). Unto the Least of These: The Importance of Working with the Very Young. VIVA, Cutting Edge Conference 4, Dalfsen, The Netherlands.
Rockhill, C., & Greener, S.H. (2000) Development of the Trait Meta-Mood Scale for Elementary School Children. ERIC ED 430 688.
Greener, S.H., & Crick, N.R. (1999). Children's Normative Beliefs About Prosocial Behavior: What Does It Mean to Be Nice? Social Development, 8(3), 349-363.
Greener, S.H. (2000). Peer assessment of children's prosocial behavior. Journal of Moral Education (29)1.