ATS welcomes first director of

strategic communications

ATS announces Faith Jackson as its first director of strategic communications, a role designed to strengthen the organization’s messaging and support for members through innovative and collaborative strategies, while supporting a strategic realignment of leadership responsibilities. Read more. Listen here.

ATS seeks senior director of programs and initiatives

ATS is excited to announce a search for a senior director of programs and initiatives. ATS works across the United States and Canada to promote the improvement and enhancement of theological schools to the benefit of communities of faith and the broader public. Read more. Listen here.

Recipients named for second round of Moving Forward in Mission grants

Twenty-two ATS schools were awarded 18-month grants of up to $25,000 in the second round of Moving Forward in Mission grants as part of the Association’s Organizational and Educational Models project—an initiative generously funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. Read more. Listen here.

Upcoming changes for ATS Student Questionnaires

The ATS Student Questionnaires (Qs) remain a valuable resource for gaining vital insight into the student experience. Now is a great time to invest in their ongoing development. Starting in the next academic year (2025–26), the Qs will transition back to a pay-to-use feature for the ATS membership. Read more. Listen here.

Inside the Standards

of Accreditation

Library and information services:

reviewing Standard 6

An early Peanuts cartoon shows Linus displaying a new library card and proudly announcing that he has been given “citizenship in the land of knowledge.” It seems a wise and wonderful description of how libraries serve to enlarge our communities of engagement by providing access to voices and perspectives we might not otherwise encounter. Read more. Listen here.

ATS Member School Spotlight

Acadia Divinity College

As soon as you mention Artificial Intelligence (AI) in conversation, people seem to respond with strong and diverse opinions. AI is useless, or AI is revolutionary. AI will bring efficiency and support, or AI will take over. Read more. Listen here.

To ATS member schools affected by the California wildfires . . .

ATS continues to pray for member schools in the Los Angeles area that may be dealing with the devastation from the California wildfires:



• America Evangelical University Seminary
• Antiochian House of Studies
• Azusa Pacific Seminary
• China Evangelical Seminary North America
• Claremont School of Theology
• Evangelia University Graduate School of Theology
• Fuller Theological Seminary
• Gateway Seminary
• Grace Mission University Graduate School
• Henry Appenzeller University
• HMS Richards Divinity School Division of Graduate Studies of La Sierra University
• International Theological Seminary
• Logos Evangelical Seminary
• Loyola Marymount University Department of Theological Studies
• Presbyterian Theological Seminary in America
• St. John’s Seminary (CA)
• Talbot School of Theology of Biola University
• World Mission University School of Theology

More Pathways grant drop-in sessions being held in February

Lilly Endowment Inc. will host two identical information sessions in February focused on developing and submitting proposals for Individual School Implementation Grants being offered through the Pathways for Tomorrow 2025 Initiative: Tuesday, February 4, 11 a.m. ET and Wednesday, February 12, 2 p.m. ET. The Endowment staff will offer background on the initiative and answer questions about the application process, including eligibility criteria, for this competitive grant initiative. Attendees are encouraged to read the Request for Proposals on the Initiative webpage prior to the session. Applications for individual school grants are due May 15, 2025. Learn more and apply.

F[AI]thfully Co-Creating virtual series updates

Hello and happy new year! We are grateful for those of you who have continued participating in the F[AI]thfully Co-Creating series on theological education and Artificial Intelligence. We wanted to provide some updates on our upcoming plans for the series.

1. We will continue our monthly focus topic gathering, with the next one being February 27 (topic TBA) at 12 p.m. ET. Click here to register.

2. Join us for conversations about the contextually relevant capacities we need as a community to proactively participate in emerging technological frameworks, AI, and beyond. We will discuss the productive tension of exploring new possibilities while staying rooted in our durable values, introduce upcoming micro-credential opportunities in AI in theological education, and share collective wisdom on best practices and pressing questions regarding the integration of theological education and artificial intelligence. To enable broad participation and access to these conversations, we will offer the exact same programming on two consecutive days. You can register for one of these sessions here: March 19, 12–3 p.m. ET or March 20, 12–3 p.m. ET.

3. The best way to stay up to date on the series and conversations related to AI and theological education is to join our slack community.

4. To access the recordings from our November gathering and other resources, please visit the In Trust Center's F[AI]thfully Co-creating site.

We are excited to continue learning together!

 The Association of Theological Schools, Atla, and the In Trust Center for Theological Schools are working together to build a series of events called F[AI]thfully Co-Creating: Navigating Artificial Intelligence and Theological Education. This series aims to bring together curious explorers, cautious observers, and seasoned practitioners in collaborative spaces that will provide practical guidance and critical conversation at the intersection of artificial intelligence and theological education.

Order the Graduating Student Questionnaire now!

Has your school ordered access to the Graduating Student Questionnaire (GSQ) for spring? As a member benefit, the GSQ in spring 2025 is still covered by a generous grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. (ATS Organizational and Educational Models initiative) and features translated language options for your students. ATS provides resources and support, including sample questionnaires and reports, documentation on using the Qs in educational and institutional evaluation, and custom reporting. Visit the ATS website for more details. For questions, please contact qmail@ats.edu.

Leadership Ed at Duke Divinity invites applicants for leadership cohort

Leadership Education at Duke Divinity invites applications for its Foundations of Christian Leadership cohort in Chicago this year. Foundations of Christian Leadership brings together early-career and emerging leaders from a variety of faith-based organizations as colleagues in an encouraging and collaborative learning environment. Through two multi-day sessions, they will hone their leadership skills, learn to evaluate their context, and refine a vision for thriving communities. Participants will also have the opportunity to apply for a $5,000 grant to support innovative approaches within their institutions. Applications are due Friday, February 14. Learn more and apply.

UPCOMING

EVENTS

ATS Chief Financial Officers' Webinar Series Part 3

Feb. 4

Zoom

The Economics of Theological Education, Webinar 1

Feb. 11

Zoom

ATS Development and Institutional Advancement Program Conference

Feb. 18–20

Newport Beach, CA

ATS Student Personnel Administrators' Conference

Mar. 11–13

Newport Beach, CA

ATS Women in Leadership Conference

Mar. 17–19

Toronto,ON

ATS Vocational Retreat for Midcareer Faculty

Apr. 4–6

Newport Beach, CA

ATS Chief Academic Officers' Society Conference

Apr. 7–9

Newport Beach, CA