The board chair plays a pivotal role in guiding the board and serving as a trusted liaison for the executive leader. Given the significance of this role, it is imperative that the president and board members invest time in understanding the practices, relationships, and processes that define the position and articulate the role’s expectations.

Top 3 on-demand webinars, shared governance, and much more.

The Jesuit School of Theology's Pathways project aims to unite various educational groups in the Western region by providing accessible, high-quality education and training for Latina/o pastoral ministers and those serving Latina/o congregations.

Thanks to a Pathways for Tomorrow grant, Union Theological Seminary is creating collaborative models for managing campus operations, promote student success, expand academic opportunities, and forge technology innovation.

How should a board and senior leaders consider the prospect of embedding? Rev. Dr. Byron Klaus, who has been through the experience and coached others, offers practical advice.

In the May issue of Colloquy, the online newsletter from the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), two representatives from Andover Newton Theological School and Yale Divinity School offer some reflections on Andover Newton's transition from a freestanding theological school to an embedded seminary.

Schools accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) that are considering a merger should download and peruse a key ATS petition early in the process.

An "embedded" theological schoolis a seminary or divinity school that is part of a college or university, as contrasted with a "freestanding" seminary, which is an independent graduate-level institution. Embedded schools face unique challenges, according to Mark Markuly, dean of the School of Theology and Ministry at Seattle University. One of these is that "you're kind of off the grid in the ways people traditionally look at governance boards."

The Autumn 2016 issue ofIn Trust, recently sent out to subscribers, features a special section on mergers, partnerships, and alliances. This special section features aninterview with Tom Ingram, president emeritus of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, on how to conduct a merger, plus eight case studies of mergers and partnerships.

First, throw out the "M-word."Mergersscare people, so most schools are approaching partnerships in terms ofnew models of collaboration. A merger gives people the perception that there are winners and losers, but collaborations open up space for creativity and exploration: "If we were to imagine a future together, what might that look like?"

One of the solutions that's floated to the problem of overall declining enrollments at seminaries and other theological schools is the idea of merging with a larger institution — preferably a university with some resources. But it doesn't take an expert to know that this kind of venture is ...

In this on-demand webinar, Rick Staisloff, Senior Partner of rpk GROUP, discusses essential aspects of strategic partnerships. This session delves into current trends, identification of partners, navigating the due diligence process, and common challenges.

With any organizational plan, certain pivotal individuals – both internal and external – hold significant influence over our goals. To ensure the success of a program, initiative, or on-going strategy, we must prioritize these “Audiences of One” differently from larger audiences. Learn how the “Stakeholder Management Plan” tracks the status of these relationships to help boost overall success.

Dr. David Rowe, creator of TransformingCollege.com and former interim president of Lancaster Theological Seminary, will lead this series, helping participants turn mental models that explain how theological education is being disrupted into frameworks for overcoming that disruption.

Dr. David Rowe of AGB Consulting will introduce a new area of sustainability each week, leading discussions on strategic transformation and financial sustainability in theological schools.

This webinar will address how seminaries can own their destiny by being responsible and "finishing well," rather than closing in crisis.

JoinRick Staisloff for a discussion about strategic partnerships.

This session, led by President of Winebrenner Theological Seminary, Brent Sleasman, invites conversation about an alternative to merging with or embedding within a larger institution: sharing organizational services.

Answering your most perplexing questions about mergers, alliances, and other higher-ed partnerships.

Are you interested in learning about how a five-year Bachelor of Arts/Master of Divinity program can benefit your school?

Lilly Endowment Inc.’s expanded Pathways for Tomorrow initiative will offer up to $325 million to help theological schools accredited by the Association for Theological Schools collaborate and innovate. The Rev. Dr. Jo Ann Deasy of ATS, who oversees the Pathways coordination work, offers insights on what Pathways has accomplished so far and what could be ahead.

Eden Theological Seminary President the Rev. Dr. Deborah Krause and Vice President for Institutional Advancement the Rev. Dr. Mary Schaller Blaufuss discuss how the 175-year-old seminary is moving into a new model of education. Using a Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative grant, the seminary has formed a network of other likeminded seminaries to offer classes to students, as well as provide a range of non-degree classes for ministers. They discuss how they do the work and how it's reaching new audiences.

Rick Staisloff, a consultant with a long history in higher education, explores how theological institutions can thrive amid change by embracing strategic partnerships and shared services. He stresses the importance of aligning with student needs and maintaining a mission-driven approach while calling this a historic time that demands courage.

During his tenure as interim president of Lancaster Theological Seminary, Dr. David Rowe was challenged with merging the school while preserving its mission. Rowe and Elizabeth Palmer Bennett, former CFO at Lancaster, discuss the genesis of the merger, share their insights, and reflect on the lessons they learned in the process.

Dr. MaryKate Morse, former executive dean of Portland Seminary, discusses the key relationships she forged in an embedded seminary, and how she demonstrated the value to the school.

Is there a way to help theological schools cut overhead costs and free up resources to focus on mission? That’s the goal of the CHANGE (Configuring Higher Education Administration for Next Generation Excellence) Initiative, one of the projects funded in Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative. Listen how Dr. David Boshart, president of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, and Dr. Jeff Williams, the project director of the CHANGE Initiative, provide an overview of how a nonprofit organization can provide business offerings to schools, increasing quality of services while allowing schools the space to innovate.

Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative is investing millions of dollars in theological education in North America. The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and the In Trust Center are co-coordinating the initiative, and in this episode, the In Trust Center’s Amy Kardash and the Rev. Dr. Jo Ann Deasy of ATS discuss the emerging trends, interesting projects, and how coordination works.

Rev. Dr. Scott Sunquist, president of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, discussses the school’s plan to sell all or part of its scenic campus in Hamilton, MA, and move to Boston.

Amy Kardash, Annie Glanden, and Matt Hufman finish a wide-ranging discussion on trends in the episode, “Trends, issues, and the essentials for 2023, part 2.”

Dr. Brent Sleasman, president of Winebrenner Theological Seminary, shares insights on how WTS used its grant to advance collaboration and enhance content for its user-generated digital platform, Co-Mission.

Rev. Dr. Kathryn (Kit) Kleinhans and Rev. Dr. Mary Hinkle Shore discuss their experiences in leading embedded seminaries.