Rev. Todd Boling
University Chaplain
Originally from Western Kentucky, Rev. Todd Boling has served as a chaplain at TCU since August of 2011. He graduated from Campbellsville University with a bachelors degree in Religious Education and the McAfee School of Theology with a Master of Divinity degree. Between degrees, he worked in campus ministry at Georgia Southern University and after seminary served as the University Chaplain at Mars Hill University. In addition to his background in higher education, Todd also brings vast experience in hospital chaplaincy, having completed his Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Residency at the Atlanta Medical Center and working as a CPE Supervisor In Training at the esteemed Cleveland Clinic. In his role as the University Chaplain at TCU, Todd’s primary areas are supervision of the department, religious organizations, and campus ministry staff, as well as providing pastoral and spiritual care to students, faculty, and staff.
Rev. Lea McCracken
Associate Chaplain & Church Relations Officer
In these roles, Lea focuses on TCU’s covenant with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). As Associate Chaplain, she is a pastoral presence to TCU students, faculty, and staff, offering leadership, resources, and programming for the campus community. And, as Church Relations Officer, she nurtures the ties between TCU and the Disciples of Christ. This role includes connecting our TCU students with area congregations, communicating with our Disciples alumna/e, and serving as the presence of TCU to the denomination. Lea is ordained by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and, prior to TCU, she spent over ten years in congregational ministry and chaplaincy. She is an alumna of the Religion Department at TCU and earned her Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt University.
Rev. Lauren Sierra, EdD
Assistant Chaplain and Disciples Campus Minister
Lauren is a commissioned minister within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and Secondary Education from Texas Tech University, as well as a Master of Arts in Theological Studies and a Doctorate in Christian Education from Southern Seminary. She has published articles regarding higher education in both Christian Education Journal and Religious Education Journal.
As Assistant Chaplain, Lauren focuses on leading Disciples on Campus (DOC), guiding RSL’s Outreach Initiative, overseeing University-led worship services & all-campus programs, in addition to joining our other chaplains in institutional service & offering spiritual care to the larger community.
Sarah Walters
Assistant Director
Sarah has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and German from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Masters degree in Public Policy from Harvard University. She is at home on college campuses and comes to RSL from the School of Music. Previous to her work at the TCU School of Music, she was employed with the TCU Center for Supply Chain Innovation, TCU Professional Development Center, and the University of Kentucky Martin School of Public Policy and Administration. She also grew up in college towns: Corvallis, Oregon, State College, Pennsylvania, and Ames, Iowa, and is the daughter and granddaughter of horticulture professors.
Lisa Swain
Chapel Coordinator
Lisa has been one of our chapel wedding coordinators for many years and recently stepped into the administrative role. She is a graduate of Texas Wesleyan University and came to TCU with a background in the oil & gas industry and banking. As a mom of four, coach’s wife, small business owner, and active member of her community, Lisa has learned that the only way to juggle the chaos of life, is with heavenly guidance and direction. Lisa is always excited to work with community members and alumni on turning their wedding day at the chapel into one of the most joyful, memorable days of their life.
Maddy Aaen
Disciples on Campus Intern
Maddy Aaen is from Denton, Texas and always has been. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Harding University, and she is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity degree at Brite Divinity School at TCU. Along with her classes and work at TCU, Maddy is involved in children’s and youth ministry. She enjoys connecting with students, celebrating life, and considering what it takes to create healthy communities.
Religious Community Advisors
Jerry Appel
Jewish Community Advisor
Jerry likes to say he has two “hometowns”, Boston and Fort Worth. He says he feels like he has been involved in Jewish education and Jewish life since the first day he arrived in Texas over a half century ago. He entered the world of academia over 30 years ago and has been teaching for twenty years at Texas Christian University in the Schieffer School of Communication. While working on his doctorate in cultural psychology, he worked with Jewish students at TCU and found one of his passions in working with Jewish emerging adults. This interest expanded to working on understanding and developing Jewish life into middle and later adulthood. He currently teaches Intercultural Communication at TCU. In his role as the Jewish Community Advisor, Jerry provides support to all current Jewish students at TCU and serves as a mentor and advisor to Hillel.
Usayd Baig
Muslim Community Advisor
Usayd Baig graduated from Qalam Seminary’s five year `Ālimiyyah program in 2024. There, he studied the Quran, classical Arabic, Islamic law, Hadith, and more Islamic sciences under the mentorship of traditionally trained scholars. His teachers include Shaykh AbdulNasir Jangda, Mufti Hussain Kamani, Shaykh Mikaeel Smith, and Mufti Muntasir Zaman. He resides in Irving, TX and is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Texas at Dallas.