Mark Forrester and Tammy Gieselman Join GBHEM’s Division of Higher Education

The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) today announced the appointments of Rev. Mark Forrester, D.Min., as assistant general secretary and the Rev. Tammy Gieselman, D.Min., as director of Schools, Colleges, and Universities, both within the Division of Higher Education.

“Mark and Tammy bring a wealth of accomplishments and experiences in a variety of leadership roles and will be valuable assets to the Division of Higher Education,” said Rev. Mark Hanshaw, Ph.D., J.D., associate general secretary, Division of Higher Education. “We are enthused to welcome these talented individuals, who will play a critical role in our agency as we continue to evolve to meet the leadership needs of the Church.”

As assistant general secretary, Forrester will be responsible for facilitating the denomination’s support of and partnership with its related educational institutions, Annual Conferences, global partners, and ecumenical groups. He will cultivate leadership skills relevant to the United Methodist-related collegiate ministries on campuses in the United States and abroad and will work with internal and external partners to address emerging and critical needs in higher education. Forrester is an ordained elder in the Tennessee Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and has served most recently as the University Chaplain and Director of Religious Life at Vanderbilt University. He has held positions as a chaplain/campus minister and director of Vanderbilt’s Wesley Foundation, in addition to pastoring area congregations. Forrester received a D.Min. from Columbia Theological Seminary, an M.Div. from Vanderbilt Divinity School, and a B.A. from Trevecca Nazarene College.

As director of schools, colleges, and universities, Gieselman will facilitate collaboration between GBHEM; the denomination; United Methodist-related schools, colleges and universities; and outside partners to address emerging and critical needs and opportunities. Gieselman will support the work of the National Association of Schools and Colleges of the United Methodist Church (NASCUMC), administer the work of the Commission on Institutional Review of the University Senate and support the leaders who constitute that elected body. Additionally, she will support study-abroad partnerships aimed at developing cultural competency and global perspectives for students. Gieselman will also oversee the Methodist International Student Exchange Network (MISEN), in partnership with the International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges, and Universities (IAMSCU), and provide other institutional support for various programs and initiatives. Gieselman is an ordained elder in the Indiana Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and has served most recently as University Chaplain, Clinical Associate Professor, and Director of Religious Life at the University of Evansville in Indiana. She has also held positions as pastor, and director of youth and children’s ministries throughout her career. Gieselman received a D.Min. from Chicago Theological Seminary, an M.Div. from Vanderbilt Divinity School, and a B.A. from the University of Evansville.

About GBHEM: As the leadership development agency of The United Methodist Church, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry’s mission is to build capacity for United Methodist lay and clergy leaders to discover, claim and flourish in Christ’s calling in their lives, by creating connections and providing resources to aid in recruitment, education, professional development and spiritual formation. Every elder, deacon and licensed local pastor benefits from our training and candidacy programs. Many young adults find help in clarifying their vocation and God’s call in their lives through our leadership and discernment programs. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook: @GBHEM.