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Caren Chen

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

General information

Ethnicity
Pacific Islander, Black/African
Religion
Buddhist

Hobbies & Interests

  • Writing
  • Meditation and Mindfulness
  • Spirituality
  • Self Care
  • Theology and Religious Studies
  • Mental Health

Reading

  • Art
  • Adult Fiction
  • Adventure
  • Biography
  • Book Club
  • Crafts
  • Cultural
  • Education
  • Health
  • Leadership
  • Psychology
  • Spirituality
  • True Story
  • Travel

I read books daily.

Bio

My vocational calling is to serve my community by providing trauma-informed, inclusive care across varying community settings. I am committed to integrating contemplative practice, ethical leadership, and interfaith spiritual care to support individuals navigating illness, grief, moral injury, and major life transitions.

Education

Naropa University

Master's degree program

2026 – 2026

Majors:
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other

Liberty University

Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

2021 – 2025

Majors:
  • Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other

Liberty University

Master's degree program

2017 – 2019

Majors:
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other

Barton County Community College

Associate's degree program

2013 – 2015

Majors:
  • Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other

The University of Texas at Arlington

Bachelor's degree program

2005 – 2009

Majors:
  • Visual and Performing Arts, General
Minors:
  • Sociology

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Master's degree program
Graduate schools of interest:
Naropa University
Medical school interest:
No

Career

  • Soldier

    Military · Army

    Jan 2010 – Jan 2024

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Health, Wellness, and Fitness
Dream career goals:
Veteran Outreach
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Volunteering
  • Philanthropy
  • Entrepreneurship
Christina Taylese Singh Memorial Scholarship
I am currently a student studying for my PhD in Health Sciences through Liberty University. My motivation comes from knowing I will have an impact on military service, skills proficiency, and dedication toward the education and well-being of others. This may intel aiding others in the form of direct guidance or through outreach programs facilitated by student services. Moreover, my motivation is that I can assist others and train the next generation of students toward success in the health sciences. In taking the steps toward completing my educational goals I have experienced challenges not only as a student but also as a military member and veteran. Further, through my years of military service, I have been afforded the skills necessary to serve my veteran and civilian community. I would work directly with people who have experienced traumatic and life-altering experiences and assist them in processing a new outlook from their experiences on their life path. I would hope that others view me as an informed individual able to assist others. Academically I have been able to expand my knowledge base within a supportive environment and continue my studies to positively impact change in my community. My outlook for having the appropriate adeptness through the university educational training regimen centers around the availability within the program of mentorship and outreach that will assist in my successful completion. Knowing how healthcare systems are impacted by outside stakeholders is fundamental to accomplishing better strategic analysis when interpreting the information required by departmental staff to develop best practices for treatment plans. My dissertation addresses the topic of complex post-traumatic stress disorder in women combat veterans. Throughout my dissertation process, I have developed research specific to the mitigation of stress and improving systems of care for mental health concerns experienced by combat veterans and their families. This is a particular area of service that I am drawn toward as people with difficulty in behavioral health often just need a caring individual to empathize with their concerns. I would like to continue assisting those in need experiencing mental health concerns and other issues in achieving peace through their spiritual journey. Often resilience from the service members as well as my internal resilience will be necessary in bridging the gap necessary to meet the needs of the individual. Having a drive to meet individuals where they are will also be at the forefront of my daily outreach. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sangha Support Scholarship
Winner
My relationship with the Buddhist faith has grown since my conversion to Buddhism a decade ago. I have used the principles upon which to become a more structured person. Every day I spend my morning in meditation and my evenings. It was throughout this journey that I became a more intentional Buddhist. I attended Wat Pah Samarkki and made connections with various other Buddhists from all different walks of life. My goals have changed because of my journey. Last year I decided to become a chaplain in the Army. I am currently seeking to become an Army Chaplain Candidate. In that process, I met with monks, nuns, and laypersons who shared their own beliefs and assisted me. I have attended SGI Nichiren Buddhist meetings and continued my studies with Wat Pah Samarkki. I also became ordained through Bodhiyana Buddhist Chaplain Fellowship receiving my Dharma name Zhong Yi on March 09, 2024. My future goal as a Buddhist is to use my position as an Army Chaplain to assist service members and their families. Further, I will continue my research as a clinician to assist others. In the fall I will begin attending Naropa University and obtain my Masters of Divinity. Currently, I am a student studying for my PhD in Health Sciences through Liberty University. My dissertation addresses the topic of complex post-traumatic stress disorder in women combat veterans. Throughout my dissertation process, I have developed research specific to the mitigation of stress and improving systems of care for mental health concerns experienced by combat veterans and their families. This is a particular area of service that I am drawn toward as people with difficulty in behavioral health often just need a caring individual to empathize with their concerns. I would like to continue assisting those in need experiencing mental health concerns and other issues in achieving peace through their spiritual journey. In taking the steps toward completing my educational goals I have experienced challenges not only as a student but also as a military member and veteran. Further, through my years of military service, I have been afforded the skills necessary to serve my veteran and civilian community. I would work directly with people who have experienced traumatic and life-altering experiences and assist them in processing a new outlook from their experiences on their life path. I would hope that others view me as an informed individual able to assist others. Academically I have been able to expand my knowledge base within a supportive environment and continue my studies to positively impact change in my community. My outlook for having the appropriate adeptness through the university educational training regimen centers around the availability within the program of mentorship and outreach that will assist in my successful completion. Knowing how healthcare systems are impacted by outside stakeholders is fundamental to accomplishing better strategic analysis when interpreting the information required by departmental staff to develop best practices for treatment plans. Often resilience from the service members as well as my internal resilience will be necessary in bridging the gap necessary to meet the needs of the individual. Having a drive to meet individuals where they are will also be at the forefront of my daily outreach. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship
Mental health has influenced my beliefs by assisting me in better understanding the empathy necessary for vulnerable patients who are diagnosed with a variety of disorders, I am currently a student studying for my PhD in Health Sciences through Liberty University. My dissertation addresses the topic of complex post-traumatic stress disorder in women combat veterans. Throughout my dissertation process, I have developed research specific to the mitigation of stress and improving systems of care for mental health concerns experienced by combat veterans and their families. This is a particular area of service that I am drawn toward as people with difficulty in behavioral health often just need a caring individual to empathize with their concerns. I would like to continue assisting those in need experiencing mental health concerns and other issues in achieving peace through their spiritual journey. My motivation to continue my research comes from knowing I will have an impact on military service, skills proficiency, and dedication toward the education and well-being of others. This may intel aiding others in the form of direct guidance or through outreach programs facilitated by student services. Moreover, my motivation is that I can assist others and train the next generation of students toward success in the health sciences. In the future, I hope to continue working within areas of treatment that focus on health disparities for individuals with mental health concerns. This will include continue my work as a clinical researcher and moving into studies that directly address care concerns and outline treatment plans for this patient population. In taking the steps toward completing my educational goals I have experienced challenges not only as a student but also as a military member and veteran. Further, through my years of military service, I have been afforded the skills necessary to serve my veteran and civilian community. I would work directly with people who have experienced traumatic and life-altering experiences and assist them in processing a new outlook from their experiences on their life path. I have been afforded the opportunity to continue to build relationships with researchers as well as the patient populations who need clinical resources the most. I would hope that others view me as an informed individual able to assist others. Academically I have been able to expand my knowledge base within a supportive environment and continue my studies to positively impact change in my community. My outlook for having the appropriate adeptness through the university educational training regimen centers around the availability within the program of mentorship and outreach that will assist in my successful completion. Knowing how healthcare systems are impacted by outside stakeholders is fundamental to accomplishing better strategic analysis when interpreting the information required by departmental staff to develop best practices for treatment plans. Often resilience from the service members as well as my internal resilience will be necessary in bridging the gap necessary to meet the needs of the individual. Having a drive to meet individuals where they are will also be at the forefront of my daily outreach. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Boun Om Sengsourichanh Legacy Scholarship
I am currently a student studying for my PhD in Health Sciences through Liberty University. My drive toward public service comes from knowing I will have an impact on military service, skills proficiency, and dedication toward the education and well-being of others. This may intel aiding others in the form of direct guidance or through outreach programs facilitated by student services. Moreover, my motivation is that I can assist others and train the next generation of students toward success in the health sciences. In taking the steps toward completing my educational goals I have experienced challenges not only as a student but also as a military member and veteran. Further, through my years of military service, I have been afforded the skills necessary to serve my veteran and civilian community. I would work directly with people who have experienced traumatic and life-altering experiences and assist them in processing a new outlook from their experiences on their life path. I would hope that others view me as an informed individual able to assist others. Academically I have been able to expand my knowledge base within a supportive environment and continue my studies to positively impact change in my community. My outlook for having the appropriate adeptness through the university educational training regimen centers around the availability within the program of mentorship and outreach that will assist in my successful completion. Knowing how healthcare systems are impacted by outside stakeholders is fundamental to accomplishing better strategic analysis when interpreting the information required by departmental staff to develop best practices for treatment plans. My dissertation addresses the topic of complex post-traumatic stress disorder in women combat veterans. Throughout my dissertation process, I have developed research specific to the mitigation of stress and improving systems of care for mental health concerns experienced by combat veterans and their families. This is a particular area of service that I am drawn toward as people with difficulty in behavioral health often just need a caring individual to empathize with their concerns. I would like to continue assisting those in need experiencing mental health concerns and other issues in achieving peace through their spiritual journey. Often resilience from the service members as well as my internal resilience will be necessary in bridging the gap necessary to meet the needs of the individual. Having a drive to meet individuals where they are will also be at the forefront of my daily outreach. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Patrick Stanley Memorial Scholarship
I am currently a student studying for my PhD in Health Sciences through Liberty University. My motivation comes from knowing I will have an impact on military service, skills proficiency, and dedication toward the education and well-being of others. This may intel aiding others in the form of direct guidance or through outreach programs facilitated by student services. Moreover, my motivation is that I can assist others and train the next generation of students toward success in the health sciences. In taking the steps toward completing my educational goals I have experienced challenges not only as a student but also as a military member and veteran. Further, through my years of military service, I have been afforded the skills necessary to serve my veteran and civilian community. I would work directly with people who have experienced traumatic and life-altering experiences and assist them in processing a new outlook from their experiences on their life path. I would hope that others view me as an informed individual able to assist others. Academically I have been able to expand my knowledge base within a supportive environment and continue my studies to positively impact change in my community. My outlook for having the appropriate adeptness through the university educational training regimen centers around the availability within the program of mentorship and outreach that will assist in my successful completion. Knowing how healthcare systems are impacted by outside stakeholders is fundamental to accomplishing better strategic analysis when interpreting the information required by departmental staff to develop best practices for treatment plans. My dissertation addresses the topic of complex post-traumatic stress disorder in women combat veterans. Throughout my dissertation process, I have developed research specific to the mitigation of stress and improving systems of care for mental health concerns experienced by combat veterans and their families. This is a particular area of service that I am drawn toward as people with difficulty in behavioral health often just need a caring individual to empathize with their concerns. I would like to continue assisting those in need experiencing mental health concerns and other issues in achieving peace through their spiritual journey. Often resilience from the service members as well as my internal resilience will be necessary in bridging the gap necessary to meet the needs of the individual. Having a drive to meet individuals where they are will also be at the forefront of my daily outreach. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Caren Chen Student Profile | Bold.org