Ilana M. Horwitz, Ph.D., a professor from Tulane University, addressed BYU students about the complementary nature between religion and academic success at the forum on Tuesday, March 25.
Horwitz wrote about her extensive research in her book "God, Grades, and Graduation: Religion's Surprising Impact on Academic Success" that was published last year.
"I know that your faith isn’t something you practice only on Sundays — it influences your daily decisions, your work ethic and your vision for the future," she said.
Horwitz's family is Jewish and she shared how they immigrated from the former Soviet Union to the United States with her family when she was seven.
"We lived under a communist regime that strictly prohibited religious expression," she said.
In the United States, they finally had the opportunity to be a part of a religious community and participate in the all the Jewish traditions that were absent from their life in Russia.
After her father's sudden death seven years later, the Jewish community stepped in with complete love and support. This experience had a profound impact on the 14-year-old Horwitz.
"Religious communities are not just about faith — they provide a safety net, a deep sense of belonging, and a structure that supports people in life’s hardest moments," she said.
This eventually led to her academic career researching how religion impacts different aspects of life — particularly education.
She observed that the benefits are most noticeable in teens from low income families.
"The structure, discipline, and social support provided by religious communities created guardrails that kept them academically focused when many of their less-religious peers veered off course," she said.
Horwitz emphasized how these traits naturally align with the expectations of school, stemming from a surprising synergy between church and public education.
"I encourage you to reflect on how your religious upbringing has shaped you — not just spiritually, but socially and academically," she said.
Horwitz closed her remarks with the following challenge.
"Recognize the power of the community that surrounds you. I ask you to think about how you can extend that support to others who need it — to be the welcoming seder host, the friend who shows up in times of crisis, or the mentor who helps someone stay on track through school," she said. "The message is clear: religious communities don't just nurture faith — they build bridges to opportunity."
