Faculty Profiles

Dr. Laura Barwegen sees her dual mission at Wheaton College to enhance students’ intellectual and spiritual growth. She is passionate about mentoring students to view their intellect from a Christian perspective and their faith in Christ with deep wisdom and understanding, always being prepared to give an answer to anyone who asks them why she has hope. These are the marks of excellence in education.

Dr. Barwegen joined Wheaton’s faculty from Aurora University, where she was the Assistant Dean of Education and Director of the Center for Professional Renewal. Previously, she was the University Coordinator of Teacher Certification at Northern Illinois University and a seventh and eighth grade language arts teacher at a public middle school. While attending graduate school, a friend shared his faith in Christ and understanding of Scriptures, which led to her acceptance of Jesus Christ as both Savior and Lord. She later married this friend, Mark, a middle school art teacher, and they currently have two delightful adult sons, Jim and Chris. She serves in her church as a member of the Adult Ministries Leadership Team, a prayer counselor, community group leader, and the teacher of the Belonging membership classes.

Northern Illinois University
Ed.D., Educational Administration, 2000

Northern Illinois University
M.A., English, 1992

Northern Illinois University
B.A., English, 1985

• Statistical Analyses of Educational Program/Policies/Pedagogies
• Neuroscience and the Christian Educator
• Neuroscience and Theology
• Neuroscience and Pedagogy
• Quantitative Program Assessment

What Makes Something Memorable: Neuroscience of Memory
Lifetalk Radio Interview on the Steve Gallimore Show, October 2010

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Neuroplasticity: The Link Between Learning and Living
Kuyers Institute for Christian Teaching and Learning, Grand Rapids, MI, October 2011

Neuropsychological Influences Upon the Practice of Teaching and Learning
3rd Paris International Conference on Education, Paris, France, July 2011

Holistic Teacher Induction: Attending to the professional and Spiritual Needs of First Year Christian Teachers
American Educational Research Association Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA, April 2011

"Preparing Teachers who Understand Neuroplasticity: Why It Matters for Spiritual Formation and Pedagogical Practice"
Presentation with Student Research Team at International Coalition of Christian Teacher Educators Conference, Longview, TX, May 2010

"Integration of Neuroplasticity and the Spiritual Disciplines and Implications for the Practice of Teaching"Barwegen, L., Fallt, L. & Hansen, L. Kuyers Institute for Christian Teaching and Learning, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI, October 2009

• Neuroscience and Theology
• Neuroscience and Pedagogy
• Neuroscience and the Christian Educator
• Quantitative program assessment
• Statistical analyses of educational program/policies/pedagogies

• Learning and Development
• The Psychology of Human Learning
• Statistics in Education
• Research Methodology
• Mentoring Tutorials: Neuroscience, Theology and Education

Illinois Principals’ Attitudes Toward Clinical Placements Critical Issues in Teacher Education. 15. Barwegen, L., Brulle, A., Goreham, H. & Sale, R. January 2009, 4-13

Liberal arts teacher preparation in a Christian environment: More than simply standard Monograph article for the Association of Liberal Arts Colleges of Teacher Education. Brulle, A., Barwegen, L., Loomis, S., Egeland, P., Morrison, S., & Lederhouse, J. 2009

Neuroscience and Education: The Importance of a Christian Understanding of Human Persons ICCTE Journal. 2008

Neuropsychological Definition of Learning: Strategies for Rewiring Neural Networks Journal on Educational Psychology. 2008

Developing the Mind of Christ Discipleship Journal, Barwegen, L. & Hamil, D. Fall, 2008

My office is located in the Billy Graham Center (BGC) 238.

My Wheaton College email address is laura.barwegen@wheaton.edu. 

Please use this link to schedule office hour appointments: https://calendly.com/barwegen.