About Us
WHO WE ARE
Grad Resources is a faith based service organization that serves the Big 6 Needs of Graduate Students, their Families, and those who serve them.
We envision a world where graduate students are fully supported and cared for financially, spiritually, professionally, relationally, academically, and physically and psychologically so they can flourish personally and create meaningful change in the communities they serve.
OUR FRAMEWORK
At Grad Resources, we believe graduate students thrive when they are supported as whole people — not just as scholars or future professionals. Graduate education places unique pressures on every area of life, which is why our work is built around what we call the Big 6 Needs of Graduate Students: a holistic framework that recognizes the interconnected academic, personal, relational, spiritual, and professional realities graduate students navigate every day.
OUR TEAM
Staff
D. Eli D. Mercer
CEO & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Entrepreneur, educator, and nonprofit leader, Eli D. Mercer is known for his work developing entrepreneurial ecosystems, advancing innovation and leadership, and fostering human flourishing through faith-driven community engagement.
Hannah Walker
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Blending experience in operations, ministry, communications, and strategic leadership, Hannah Walker is passionate about helping organizations grow with integrity while building strong teams, meaningful community connections, and mission-driven impact.
Board of Directors
Jordan Denzer
Board of Directors Chair
Principal – Aberdeen Builders
Known for his entrepreneurial vision and community-minded leadership, Jordan Denzer has built a reputation for fostering strong relationships and thoughtful growth initiatives across North Texas.
Christopher Neal
Board of Directors Treasurer
Associate – Haynes Boone
Drawing from both military and legal experience, Christopher Neal is recognized for his disciplined leadership, strategic insight, and commitment to service in professional and community settings.
Dr. Derek Duncan
Board of Secretary
Lead Pastor – Chapel of the Cross
With decades of pastoral and organizational leadership experience, Derek Duncan is passionate about spiritual growth, community engagement, and building service-oriented cultures across generations.
Dr. Eli D. Mercer
Ex Officio Voting Member
CEO – Grad Resources
Entrepreneur, educator, and nonprofit leader, Eli D. Mercer is known for his work developing entrepreneurial ecosystems, advancing innovation and leadership, and fostering human flourishing through faith-driven community engagement.
Dr. George Yancey
Board Member
Professor of Sociology – Baylor University
Sociologist, author, and public intellectual, George Yancey is known for his work exploring race relations, religious identity, cultural division, and the role of faith in modern society through thoughtful research and dialogue.
J. Tipton Housewright
Board Member
Principal – OMNIPLAN
Nationally recognized architect and civic leader whose career has blended visionary design, thoughtful urban planning, and a deep commitment to community engagement across Dallas and beyond.
Dr. Matthew Koschmann
Board Member
Professor in the Department of Communication – University of Colorado Boulder
A respected educator, researcher, and thought leader, who is known for his work in leadership, collaboration, and organizational communication, helping communities and institutions navigate complex challenges through meaningful dialogue and collective engagement.
Dr. Larry Caillouet
Board Member
Former communication professor, speaker, and leadership educator
Passionate about communication and leadership development, Larry Caillouet has dedicated his career to helping students and professionals communicate with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Rick Ramirez
Board Member
Attorney & Business Strategist
Combining legal expertise with entrepreneurial leadership, Rick Ramirez is known for helping organizations navigate complex business challenges through strategic insight, collaboration, and practical problem solving.
Board of Advisors
Dan Allan
Executive Director for Mission Expansion – Cru
A longtime ministry leader and mentor, Dan Allan is passionate about developing leaders, building meaningful partnerships, and helping the next generation grow in faith and purpose.
Dr. Mike Strauss
Professor Emeritus of Physics and Astronomy – The University of Oklahoma
A nationally recognized physicist, educator, and speaker, Michael Strauss is known for bridging the worlds of science, faith, and higher education through thoughtful research, teaching, and public dialogue.
Rev. David Keck
Chaplain – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
A thoughtful educator, chaplain, and scholar, David Keck is known for fostering meaningful conversations around faith, ethics, leadership, and community within higher education and aviation environments.
Dr. Cicely S. Jefferson
Dean – Don and Linda Carter School of Business at Dallas Baptist University
A dynamic educator, attorney, and ministry leader, Cicely Jefferson is known for her passion for servant leadership, ethical business education, and mentoring the next generation of leaders through the integration of faith, leadership, and professional excellence.
OUR HISTORY
For more than 35 years, Grad Resources has served graduate students through crisis care, Christian community, mentoring, leadership development, and research-driven support. What began with a simple recognition that graduate students face unique pressures and often lack meaningful support has grown into a national movement focused on helping graduate students flourish academically, professionally, relationally, spiritually, financially, and in health.
Since the first Christian Grads Fellowship launched at the The University of Texas at Austin in 1990, Grad Resources has expanded its reach through campus fellowships, remote coaching, national partnerships, and innovative care initiatives including the 24/7 National Graduate Student Crisis Line. Today, Grad Resources continues building collaborative solutions that support graduate students, their families, and those who serve them—helping shape flourishing leaders for the future.
Read the full history on our blog:
35 Years in the Making: A Story of Graduate Flourishing