Kim Akano named grant manager for ATS Increasing Capacities Initiative

Kim Akano’s appointment as grant manager for the Increasing Capacities to Better Serve Diverse Students Initiative will involve coordination of a major multi-year effort funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. that helps ATS member schools strengthen their institutional capacities. Akano joins ATS following her time as a Social Impact Fellow with the American Council of Learned Societies, where she researched higher education policy and advised senior leaders.

Leah Wright promoted to accrediting records manager

Leah K. Wright has been named ATS accrediting records manager, effective July 2026. Her responsibilities include managing the official records of the ATS Commission on Accrediting (COA), and processing reports, petitions, and other COA-required documents. She also supports the work of the ATS Board of Commissioners and the Association's accrediting functions.

“We are proud of and grateful for all she brings to the work of accrediting. We are delighted to recognize her efforts with this promotion," said Barbara Mutch, ATS senior director of accreditation.

ICYMI: Commission on Accrediting membership approves revisions to Standards of Accreditation

Last month, we highlighted the enthusiastic approval of revisions to the Standards of Accreditation and Policies and Procedures that occurred at the June 2026 ATS/COA Biennial Meeting. Over the past two years, more than 600 individuals have examined the Standards and Policies through surveys, in-person sessions, and submission of comments invited on three separate occasions. While strong affirmation was given to topics in the 2020 Standards, new attention has also been given to changes in the educational and technological landscapes over the past decade. 

An ATS Research deep dive: strengthening theological education leadership 

ATS Research has conducted comprehensive studies of six major leadership groups to understand the challenges and opportunities shaping their work. Final reports and webinars provide a detailed look at role expectations, changing responsibilities, and future needs, helping schools strengthen leadership capacity at every level. 

Palm Beach Atlantic School of Ministry offers Clinical Pastoral Education concentration through Pathways project

Jonathan Grenz, dean at the Palm Beach Atlantic University School of Ministry (PBA), has fixed his sights on the pastoral needs of local churches in Palm Beach County. Congregants gather in churches, storefronts, and homes, often led by pastors for whom pastoring is a second job.


“We saw there was very little here when it comes to theological education,” says Grenz. He wondered if PBA could create something more contextual…something built on their skills and gifts to provide a livelihood. The solution was to develop an interdisciplinary concentration in Community Transformation and Chaplaincy within their mixed-delivery MDiv program, integrating trauma-informed care and spirituality, organizational leadership and Clinical Pastoral Education. The project is being supported through Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative. 


This story, written by Mark Kelly, originally appeared in the summer 2026 issue of In Trust Magazine.