Marilyn Rhames ’96: A Public Education-Faith Partnership

This article appeared in the November 2022 issue of the Dominican Magazine

The crossroads of faith and schooling have long been identifiable for Marilyn Rhames ’96.

“While at Dominican, I saw faith integrated into education all the time,” said Rhames, a graduate assistant at the  University of Arkansas who researches ways religious faith intersects with public education and race, particularly within communities with a strong influence from Black Christian churches. “(The Sisters) were highly educated women of faith that served students with passion, love and always a word of encouragement. That helped me a lot to get through my four  years there.”

A journalist turned educator, Rhames, a Christian, formed a  consulting firm aimed at connecting faith-based nonprofits with public schools to create partnerships supporting education and positive principles, but that are also Constitutionally permitted.

She also created Teachers Who Pray, an online community connecting teachers who are looking to form prayer groups outside the classroom with other educators from their schools. 

Today, Rhames is working toward a PhD in education policy with the goal of becoming a college professor and continuing her research on faith, education and race.

“To understand that faith does intersect with public education—even more so for certain racial groups—will make a difference, especially if I can train others to do this work,”  Rhames said.