Elizabeth Ellis

Elizabeth Ellis believes in advocating for those who cannot always advocate for themselves, empowering students to use their voices and providing access to academic resources.

“I truly believe that God has been choosing and preparing this career path for me my whole life rather than me choosing it for myself,” Ellis said. “As long as I can remember, I have been immersed in diverse communities learning to embrace the differences God created in His image, seeing how all of us have been fearfully and wonderfully made.”

Ellis earned a bachelor’s degree in English and kinesiology from Stephen F. Austin State University. She planned to pursue a degree in physical therapy, but she felt led to a more relational career path. She wanted to guide and enable young people to live well, a passion she found as she and her husband started the adoption process.

“As we were going through the adoption process, I discovered my passion was more than advocating for young people; it is a passion for helping them learn to advocate for themselves. God quickly showed me that being involved relationally in the day-to-day lives of people is where I needed to be,” Ellis said.

Ellis started her professional journey teaching and coaching before serving as a guidance counselor. She also helped research and establish academic support programs in multiple private, Christian K-12 schools. After working in public and private school settings, she decided to further her education in order to work with families and communities. She completed her master’s degree in human services with an emphasis in social and community services from Capella University. She then served as a behavior coach, crisis intervention counselor, foster care case manager and single parent program supervisor.

Ellis served as a residence life coordinator at Harding in the early 2000s, after adopting her oldest son. Once her husband completed his graduate degree, they moved to serve in ministry, Christian education and non-profit organizations around the country. When given the opportunity to return to Harding, Ellis and her family welcomed the transition to put down roots in an environment that would allow them to serve in the Harding community.

“In my new role as the assistant director of the Office of Disability Services and Educational Access, I hope to be a person and place where students can come to catch their breaths — a place where no matter what is going on in their day or their lives, they know they will be heard, helped and supported; a safe place with no judgment,” Ellis said. “Students in this phase of life are transitioning to a time where they are making decisions — often for the first time on their own — that impact their futures academically, relationally and spiritually. Sometimes a safe and trusted place to come is all they need.”