Global Center for Human Flourishing
Celebrating the Official Launch
The official launch of the Global Center for Human Flourishing (GCHF) was announced at the Spring 2025 All-Faculty Orientation. President, Dr. Dondi Costin, Chancellor, Jonathan Falwell, Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Scott Hicks, as well as esteemed Human Flourishing experts Dr. Harold Koenig of Duke University and Dr. Tyler VanderWeele of Harvard University, shared the exciting vision for the GCHF and the initiatives it will carry forth to impact the university and the world!
The GCHF will be led by Dr. Tim Clinton as the Executive Director and Dr. Ron Hawkins as the Associate Director. Under their leadership, the Center will focus on advancing research, developing resources, and serving the university community in a way that addresses mental health challenges with a focus on faith and human flourishing.
Spring 2025 All-Faculty Orientation, January 27, 2025
Additionally, the GCHF will serve as an integral component of LU’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) which will be focused on the topic of Faith and Human Flourishing.
Connecting Faith, Human Flourishing, and Wellness for an Abundant Life
The Global Center for Human Flourishing (GCHF) is building on the Global Flourishing Study which is a collaborative project between researchers at Harvard University and Baylor University, partnering with Gallup to collect extensive data on human flourishing across diverse countries.
The Abundant Life
With the ultimate cornerstone of faith in Christ, human flourishing and wellness sequentially advance through interdependence to produce the life of spiritual abundance Jesus speaks of in John 10:10, stating “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
The six key dimensions of human flourishing are:
Happiness and Life Satisfaction
Mental and Physical Health
Meaning and Purpose
Character and Virtue
Close Social Relationships
Financial and Material Stability
Our Mission
Anchored in Founder, Dr. Jerry Falwell, Sr.’s vision of “training Champions for Christ,” the Global Center for Human Flourishing is committed to being a research-based entity and epicenter dedicated to the intersection of faith, human capacity, and mental health. The GCHF seeks to identify and offer transformative solutions that strengthen human flourishing including well-being, mental health education and services, and spiritual formation.
The GCHF seeks to become a world leader in:
- Research
- Education
- Training
- Advocacy
- Awareness
- Resources
- Services
- Partnerships
- Alliances
Opportunities for Development and Training
Mental Health Summit
March 28-29, 2025
Liberty University is proud to host the 2nd annual Mental Health Summit.
Center for Student Thriving
The Center for Student Thriving helps students live healthy and purposeful lives at Liberty and beyond.
Leadership
Tim Clinton, Ed.D., LPC, LMFT
Executive Director
Dr. Tim Clinton is an internationally recognized leader in mental health and faith, a licensed professional counselor and marriage and family therapist, and President of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Ron Hawkins, Ed.D., D.Min., LPC
Associate Director
Dr. Ron Hawkins is a licensed professional counselor, former Provost of Liberty University, and founding Dean of Liberty’s School of Behavioral Sciences.
Board of Reference
The members of the Board of Reference contribute guidance from their respective areas of expertise.
Research Partners
Shaunti Feldhahn
Surprising Hope with Shaunti Feldhahn
Todd Hall
Spiritual Transformation Inventory
Harold Koenig
Duke University School of Medicine
Tyler Vanderweele
Harvard University Human Flourishing Program
Everett Worthington
Forgiveness
A Culture of Faith and Human Flourishing
Liberty University is dedicated to fostering a culture of faith and human flourishing through a focus on spiritual development, mental wellness, and lifelong learning, setting students on a path to impact the world for the Kingdom.
Through the Global Center for Human Flourishing (GCHF), the Strategic Plan, the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), and numerous related initiatives, LU seeks to continually cultivate an environment where students can experience the abundant life of faith and human flourishing.
Contact
Global Center for Human Flourishing
Flourishing@liberty.edu
Location
JFL 363 and JFL 364