Plans for a Future and Hope
Wake Forest University School of Divinity is using its Lilly Endowment Inc. Pathways grant to answer the question: “What does this wisdom look like?” The grant initiative has energized relationships with the University’s online learning office as its faculty are working with online curriculum designers to create asynchronous courses.
Jill Y. Crainshaw, Ph.D., Professor of Worship and Liturgical Theology, explains how this design work reshapes how many of our faculty understand teaching and learning. It also contributes to our pedagogical efforts in hybrid and in-person classes.
Briefly describe the project.
Wake Divinity’s Pathways Project, “Plans for a Future and Hope,” supports the school’s mission to equip religious leaders through the Master of Divinity degree while extending our educational reach to new pools of religious leaders and other professionals, who seek to expand their leadership knowledge and skills. We have worked toward this goal by developing asynchronous certificate offerings and launching a new Doctor of Ministry program. Additionally, we have created several continuing education institutes to connect with current students, alums, and others interested in interested in exploring the intersection of religion and ministry with public life.
What have you learned so far?
We are gaining valuable insights into how theological educators can effectively navigate transitional contexts. Pedagogical flexibility and strategic nimbleness are two emerging characteristics vital for Wake Divinity to fully realize its mission and purpose of equipping students to be agents of justice, reconciliation, and compassion, working alongside other professionals in contemporary contexts.
What have been a few of your successes?
Through the Pathways Initiative, we have
- embraced innovative forms of educational instruction and delivery that make our M.Div. program more accessible and thus support student financial challenges.
- expanded our reach to serve a growing cohort of new learners and religious leaders.
- developed interdisciplinary learning opportunities in collaboration with various partners across Wake Forest University, including the Leadership and Character Program, the University’s Office of Inclusive Excellence, and the School for Professional Studies.’
- launched a new D.Min .program for religious leaders from various ministry contexts.
What aspects of the project are you hopeful about?
The Pathways initiative has highlighted and strengthened the School’s capacity to foster vocational discernment and transformative leadership across diverse communities and populations. We have discovered new cohorts of learners eager to explore how their theological commitments intersect with community life and engagement.
The Pathways initiative has also increased awareness of theological education and religious leaders’ myriad contributions to organizations’ challenges relative to public and community concerns, including health equity and ethical and inclusive leadership. Although the grant projects have yet to achieve our aspirational enrollment goals, we have developed quality programs that attract participants eager to learn and grow as an intellectual ministering community.
What are you learning that could help other schools?
Pedagogical flexibility and strategic adaptability are two essential characteristics for Wake Divinity to fully realize its mission of preparing students to be agents of justice, reconciliation, and compassion alongside other professionals in contemporary contexts.