Courtney Morrison believes that faith is expressed in the way we care for others. She explored this and other aspects of faith in her religious community and through her own spiritual expression, but she wanted to understand how her faith influences how she lives in community with others. She looked for that understanding in her work in the United States House of Representatives. Policy work, however, seemed too detached from the realities of people's daily lives. She researched master's degree programs in both divinity and social work, but neither path gave her the opportunity to indulge her deep curiosity about ideas that bridge these disciplines. She wanted to compare religions. She wanted to explore feminism. She wanted to dissect liberation theology. Then she discovered the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program at Georgetown and knew she had found a home.

Far from pursuing the degree for its own sake, Courtney was more excited about the growth process associated with being a student. She was especially impressed with the faculty who were more interested in "engaging" students than in "evaluating" them. "The program is for the intellectually curious," she says, "not just to add to your résumé. It is all about process. If you are not engaged in the process then you're missing the whole point."

Courtney admits that she is fascinated by people. An observant stoicism she developed as a youth has always led her to be a student of personalities and the intricacies of transformative experiences. The intellectual foundation she acquired while in the Liberal Studies master's program prepared her to go on to earn a Master of Social Work degree and completely change career focus. She will try to use her knowledge of human nature and skills in problem solving to make a difference in the lives of individuals, families, and couples as a therapist. She wants to help people achieve emotional and spiritual growth.