Finding Balance, Community, and Room to Ask Questions

Protestant Life offers a first-year student open-ended space and support

By: Jennon Bell Hoffmann

For Autumn Dunlop, a first-year student at Georgetown University, college has been more than an academic transition—it has been a deeply personal journey of discovery, faith, and belonging. Coming from Burke, Virginia, just 45 minutes from the Hilltop, she expected familiarity. Instead, she found something entirely new.

“It’s kind of funny,” she reflects. “I grew up going into D.C., but never really went around Georgetown. Now that I’m here, it feels like a whole different world.” She laughs as she compares the experience to stepping into a magical universe—“like Hogsmeade and Hogwarts”—the magical town and university for Harry Potter and his wizarding friends—a place that feels both immersive and transformative.

Autumn’s decision to attend Georgetown was initially grounded in academics. As a nursing major, she was drawn to the university’s hands-on approach, particularly the opportunity to engage in realistic patient-care scenarios—even with training mannequins.

“I was looking into the different nursing programs, and the Georgetown program specifically popped out at me because we get a clinical experience early on and I’m really excited that I can jump in and actually do simulations,” says Autumn. 

But it wasn’t just the program that sealed her decision. A campus visit revealed something more intangible: a sense of beauty, energy, and community. “I loved the campus, and I loved the people,” she says. “There’s this sense of pride—people really care about being here.”

A New Rhythm—and Pressure

Despite living close to home, Autumn has embraced campus life fully. Between her coursework and her commitment to Air Force ROTC—which often requires early mornings and committed weekends—she rarely returns home except for holidays or long weekends.

“It really does feel like a different world,” she explains. “I stay here and I stay busy—there’s always something happening on campus.”

But that life comes with pressure. At Georgetown, she says, it can sometimes feel like everyone else has everything figured out, and that there’s a competitive spirit.

“It’s got a certain prestige, the students are always running around, staying busy,” says Autumn. “People are like, ‘What are you doing this summer?’ and they have three internships lined up,” she says. “And I’m like, ‘I’m going to the beach with my family.’”

Moments like that can be overwhelming, especially during the first semester when expectations—both internal and external—feel heightened. “I think in the fall, I really got caught up in that,” she admits. “It became a lot.”

Many students, especially first-year students, echo similar thoughts about pressure and belonging. To Autumn, finding a way to create balance was necessary, and at first, she wasn’t sure where to look for that. Fortunately, she found some direction within the Encounter program, a pre-orientation retreat for first-year students. 

“One of my favorite quotes from the Encounter experience was from Father Greg, and he said, ‘Before college, I was always told what to think, and then here, I’m told to think.’ And I thought that was so interesting, because that is what I’m doing—I’m thinking about what religious community that I want to be a part of, like what spirituality is, and what is its connection to religion?” says Autumn. “And I was really starting to answer those deeper questions and that’s when I found Rev. T and Rev. G. Immediately I thought, ‘I want to be part of this community.’”

A Lesson in Letting Go

Immediately, Autumn says she felt welcomed, that the community Rev. TauVaughn Toney and Rev. Ebony Grisom (affectionately known as Rev. T and Rev. G) created is open and supportive, enough space for all the big questions students often have. She especially appreciates the way Rev. T and Rev. G discuss current events in their sermons and make room for all the big and small life questions students can have. One such way is through Testimony Day, a time when everyone at the service is invited to share their connection to their faith.

“At first, I didn’t go up, I just held back, listening to others. And the community is about intentionality, that we’re learning this for a purpose and it connects us to a broader world,” says Autumn. Filled with that support, she decided to give her own testimony.  “I went up and talked about how sometimes I’m confused or have a lot of questions, or don’t always agree with things, and it’s how I feel. And I’m so happy I found the courage to go up there, because the community had my back.”  

One of Autumn’s most memorable moments came on an ordinary, chaotic day. She had walked more than a mile to Safeway to pick up a birthday cake and cupcakes for her roommate. Arms full, exhausted, and overwhelmed, she began the long walk back.

“And then out of nowhere,” she recalls, “Rev. G pulled up and was like, ‘Let me help you, girl.’”

What followed was a small but meaningful act of care—help carrying the desserts, storing them safely, and making sure the surprise stayed intact. But for Autumn, it meant something deeper.

“I remember thinking, this is God telling me it’s okay to accept help,” she says. “It’s okay to not do everything on your own.”

That moment crystallized what she values most about Georgetown’s Protestant Life community: its accessibility, warmth, and authenticity.

“Sometimes religious leaders can feel intimidating,” she explains. “But here, they’ll see you on the street, give you a hug, tell you they’re happy to see you—and they mean it. That’s the kind of relationship I always wanted.”

Carrying the Fire

Autumn is a member of the gospel choir for Sunday services and joins in the events and activities as she can, careful not to overextend herself or take on too much. In a campus culture defined by constant motion, Sunday evening services became her pause.

“That’s my one hour,” she says. “Phones off. No distractions. I can just be.”

While Protestant Life may be smaller in size—with services drawing around 15 to 20 students each week—Autumn sees that as part of its strength.

“It’s very low-key,” she says. “It’s like, we’re here when you’re ready.”

Still, she hopes more students will discover it. From post-service gatherings with refreshments to events like Super Bowl watch parties and seasonal celebrations, the community blends faith with fellowship in approachable ways.

Now that her first year is winding down, Autumn looks forward to becoming more involved in Protestant Life and the Protestant Student Association (PSA) next year. She’s also eager to explore more offerings in the future, like “Rev Ups” (midweek coffee conversations) and retreats at the Calcagnini Contemplative Center—spaces designed for reflection and reset.

At the same time, her spiritual journey continues to shape how she sees herself and others.

“My dad always says, ‘You’re carrying the fire,’” she reflects. “And that’s what I want to do—carry that into how I treat people every day.”

Until then, she will continue to find her balance, give herself grace when needed, and chart her own course, confident that Georgetown has the space for her to do that. 

Autumn Dunlop (N’29) is a first-year student in the School of Nursing.

Father Greg Schenden, SJ, is the Director of Campus Ministry

Rev. Ebony Grisom is the Director for Protestant Life

Rev. TauVaughn Toney is the Protestant Christian Chaplain

Jennon Bell Hoffmann is a freelance writer and editor living in Chicago.