Transforming Service: Reflections of Student Services Professionals in Theological Education

Transforming Service is a seminal book developed by student services professionals in theological education. This edited volume is new and innovative in that it puts the student services professional and their work with divinity students center-stage. Amid the various and serious changes afoot within the church and academy, there is a need for astute and perceptive expertise to assist professionals and institutions in transforming how to reach, serve, and sustain graduate students in theological education. This book is an offering designed to establish and sustain conversations among student services professionals in theological schools about the nature of the profession and to share wisdom within a rich community of practice that is essential to the success of theological schools. With its rich combination of useful information, reflective instruction on a host of professional leadership issues, and animated narratives on the ways different colleagues address common practices and challenges in their context, Transforming Service is a needed resource to all who engage in theological education. --

Shonda R. Jones is Senior Associate Dean and Assistant Teaching Professor in Intercultural Theological Education at Wake Forest University School of Divinity. She provides strategic leadership in student affairs in graduate theological education, having established best practices in recruitment and admissions, promoting diversity and inclusion, and engaging student learning through courses and co-curricular programming.

Pamela R. Lightsey is an associate dean and clinical assistant professor of contextual theology and practice at Boston University School of Theology. She is also a self-identified queer lesbian ordained elder in full connection in the United Methodist Church. A national leader among LGBTQ social justice activists, Dr. Lightsey's writings have appeared in Washington Post (online), Religion Dispatches and Black Theology Journal.