Mark Hanshaw Appointed as GBHEM’s Associate General Secretary of the Division of Higher Education

The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) today announced the appointment of Rev. Mark Hanshaw, Ph.D., J.D., as associate general secretary of the Division of Higher Education, effective February 1, 2018. 

Hanshaw currently serves as the dean for the School of Arts and Letters at Texas Wesleyan University. He has held a range of positions with the university since 2007, including associate dean, director of the university quality enhancement plan, chair of the Department of Religion and Humanities and assistant professor of Comparative Religion and Ethics. 

“Mark’s accomplishments and experience in a variety of leadership roles will be an asset to our leadership team,” said Rev. Dr. Kim Cape, general secretary at GBHEM. “The associate general secretary of the Division of Higher Education plays a valuable role in GBHEM’s service to the church. After a prayerful, thoughtful and thorough search, we welcome Mark’s leadership and the great contributions he will undoubtedly bring to the agency.”

As associate general secretary, Hanshaw will provide the executive leadership for the Division of Higher Education’s three program areas: The Black College Fund, Collegiate Ministry, and Schools, Colleges and Universities. He will lead efforts to expand and enhance the church’s connection to the United Methodist-related higher education institutions as an expression of the ecology of call for the church, community, and civic leadership. He will also serve on a number of committees and associations that support and resource education in the Methodist tradition. 

Hanshaw is an ordained elder in the Central Texas Conference. He earned a Bachelor of Science and Juris Doctor from the University of Tennessee as well as a Master of Law from the University of Manchester in England. Hanshaw completed his Master of Theological Studies at Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University and Doctor of Philosophy at Southern Methodist University. 

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.