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gbhem.org > News > Page 15

News

NewsPlan Left2025-03-21T14:45:06-05:00
  • Executive Appointments in Ministry and Education

    Executive Appointments in Ministry and Education

    Published On: February 21, 2025

    The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) is pleased to announce the appointments of the Rev. Margaret Lassiat as executive director of ministry and Dr. Philip Wingeier-Rayo as executive director of education. These leaders bring decades of experience in ministry, education and global leadership, making them well-suited to further GBHEM’s mission of equipping...

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  • GBHEM Scholarship Helps Chipongo Focus on Empowering Women, Transforming Communities

    GBHEM Scholarship Helps Chipongo Focus on Empowering Women, Transforming Communities

    Published On: February 20, 2025

    The E. Craig Brandenburg Scholarship from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry is a catalyst for this vision, empowering Jacqualine Chipongo to use her education and faith to create positive change.

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  • GBHEM Scholarship, Life Experiences Help Butler-Cefalo Answer God’s Call

    GBHEM Scholarship, Life Experiences Help Butler-Cefalo Answer God’s Call

    Published On: February 18, 2025

    Abby Butler-Cefalo's calling into ministry is becoming a reality thanks to the support of the GBHEM scholarship. "As someone who had grown up homeless…I would not be able to attend seminary without this financial support,” Butler-Cefalo said.

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  • University Senate Meets for First Session of New Quadrennium

    University Senate Meets for First Session of New Quadrennium

    Published On: February 18, 2025

    The University Senate of The United Methodist Church met Feb. 10-11 in Atlanta for its first meeting of the new quadrennium. The University Senate of The United Methodist Church met Feb. 10-11 in Atlanta for its first meeting of the new quadrennium. Senators from Methodist-related U.S....

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  • GRASP Scholarship Helps Abiud Get Textbooks and Supplies for Studies

    GRASP Scholarship Helps Abiud Get Textbooks and Supplies for Studies

    Published On: February 17, 2025

    The (GRASP) scholarship from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) helps Nyamongo Abiud support his studies in biotechnology and climate change and cover essential educational expenses, including textbooks and supplies at Africa University.

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  • MTSE Forum in Prague Focuses on Self-Care and Strategic Planning

    MTSE Forum in Prague Focuses on Self-Care and Strategic Planning

    Published On: February 17, 2025

    MTSE members and the e-academy students in the sanctuary of the church in the Czech Methodist Center in Prague. The Methodist-Related Theological Schools of Europe (MTSE) met in Prague, February 3-7, for a forum on self-care and strategic planning. Led by outgoing President Hilde Marie...

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  • GBHEM Scholarship Aids Callan Jacobson’s Journey Toward a Career in Investment Banking

    GBHEM Scholarship Aids Callan Jacobson’s Journey Toward a Career in Investment Banking

    Published On: February 13, 2025

    Callan Jacobson, a finance student at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, is deeply grateful for the scholarship from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministries, which allows him to focus more on his studies and faith.

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  • GRASP Scholarship Empowers Bussane to Pursue Theological Studies at Africa University

    GRASP Scholarship Empowers Bussane to Pursue Theological Studies at Africa University

    Published On: February 11, 2025

    Thanks to a General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GRASP) scholarship, Paulo Bussane, a student at Africa University, is better positioned to deepen his theological studies and contribute to his church and community.

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  • Answering the Call with GBHEM Scholarship: Ashlee French’s Journey Toward Chaplaincy

    Answering the Call with GBHEM Scholarship: Ashlee French’s Journey Toward Chaplaincy

    Published On: February 6, 2025

    Ashlee French is answering God’s call to ministry in a way that reflects both faith and dedication. At 54, French is pursuing an M.A. at Wesley Theological Seminary thanks to a General Board of Higher Education and Ministry scholarship, to become an ordained deacon and chaplain.

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  • GBHEM Scholarship Helps Tiara Allen Pursue Becoming a Licensed Therapist

    GBHEM Scholarship Helps Tiara Allen Pursue Becoming a Licensed Therapist

    Published On: February 6, 2025

    Tiara Allen, a Bennett College student, is on a mission to make a lasting impact on her community and the world. With the help of The United Methodist Church’s support, she is navigating her college years with determination, focused on earning a Ph.D. in psychology and becoming a licensed therapist.

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Dana Lyles
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Dr. Dana Lyles
Executive Director, Multiethnic Ministries

Dr. Dana Lyles serves as the Executive Director of Multiethnic Ministries for Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM).

She is responsible for the strategic direction, program development and implementation, administrative oversight, and support of multiethnic and multi-cultural ministry programs within Global Ministries and GBHEM including the agencies’ commitment to worldwide inclusivity, diversity, equity and acceptance.

She also serves as a key point of contact with related ministries and organizations within The United Methodist Church and its organizations, with the racial/ethnic plans of The United Methodist Church, the Community Developers Program, and UM-related Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
A lifelong United Methodist and preacher’s kid, Dana is layperson from the Western North Carolina Annual Conference. She has served the church in a variety of capacities, including consulting and co-leading a predominately white church and African American church through a merger, serving as a co-chair for the Western North Carolina Annual Conference’s young adult leadership development program and serving on the denomination’s Connectional Table.

She is a three-time graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in economics, a master’s degree in business education, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in leadership studies. She also received a master’s degree in school administration from Gardner-Webb University.

About The Primer

The United Methodist Church’s commitment to education is rooted historically in the vision and actions of the Methodist movement founder, John Wesley. Wesley encouraged intellectual development alongside spiritual growth. He worked to connect “knowledge and vital piety,” relate faith and reason and educate the whole person in body, mind and spirit.

The denomination’s interest in education has evolved from John Wesley’s concern for the well-being of all people. Accordingly, three concerns have motivated the United Methodist denomination to be involved in education throughout its history:

  •  That all people should have access to education;
  • That education should be of the highest quality in curriculum, financial integrity and governance as it is part of an individual’s offering of self to God; and
  • That the expression of religion should be guarded and encouraged on United Methodist-related campuses.

The Primer is the result of reflection and discussion around questions of identity and meaning for United Methodist-related schools, colleges and universities, particularly in North America. It reflects collaborative work with colleagues at GBHEM and Global Ministries including Dr. David Scott, executive director for theology and strategic planning, and Todd Willis, general counsel. That said, dialogue from around the world over many decades has contributed to the church-related conversation.

The Primer is a living document that provides a foundational text for the church and the academy to continue the important conversation about what it means to be a denomination with education in its DNA and the value of that relationship for UM-related schools, colleges and universities. Institutions should use all or parts of the Primer to interpret the church relationship to the campus community.

The Rev. Dr. Tammy Gieselman
Tammy Gieselman signature

The Rev. Dr. Tammy Gieselman
Director of Education
Executive Secretary, University Senate

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Karen Ward

Chief Administrative Officer

Karen Ward has served as chief administrative officer of GBHEM since May 1, 2020. She joined the agency in 2008 as controller and has held multiple leadership roles in finance and administration. With more than 30 years of experience, Ward’s background includes over two decades in finance and leadership at a United Methodist-related institution of higher education, along with experience in banking and small business ownership.

She represents The United Methodist Church on the board of EIIA, a nonprofit insurance consortium serving private, faith-inspired colleges and universities. Her work reflects a deep commitment to strengthening the connection between the church and higher education. Ward earned her accounting degree from Martin Methodist College (now UT Southern) and holds an MBA from the University of North Alabama. She resides in Middle Tennessee, where she serves as a lay leader and finance committee member in her local Methodist church.

Ward is known for her thoughtful leadership and dedication to service. She often reminds colleagues that “administration is also a calling and a gift from God.”

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Amos Nascimento

Special Assistant to the General Secretary

Dr. Amos Nascimento serves as special assistant to the general secretary, advising on global educational networks and how they connect the church and academy. He also helps coordinate ecumenical relationships between the General Board of Global Ministries and GBHEM and acts as a liaison between the Mission Engagement Unit and the Office of the General Secretary to promote long-term educational partnerships across regions.

A lifelong Methodist and respected educator, Nascimento has held academic and administrative roles in Argentina, Brazil, Germany and the United States. His global leadership includes service with the International Association of Methodist-related Schools, Colleges, and Universities (IAMSCU), the Education Committee of the World Methodist Council (WMC), and the Commission on Education and Ecumenical Formation of the World Council of Churches (WCC).

Nascimento brings a multilingual and intercultural approach to his work, emphasizing deep listening, consensus-building and contextual collaboration with local communities. His commitment to education and ecumenical engagement reflects a vision of the Church as a global learning community.

Trip Lowery
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Rev. Dr. Trip Lowery

Director of Ministry

The Rev. Dr. Trip Lowery serves as director of ministry at GBHEM, where he leads efforts in theological education, credentialing, vocational discernment and candidate development. His portfolio includes Licensing School, Course of Study, Advanced Course of Study, Exploration, the Young Clergy Initiative, Journey Toward Ordained Ministry, the Ministerial Education Fund and the Study of Ministry Commission.

Lowery has served GBHEM since 2013 in various ministry roles, collaborating with diverse groups across the global United Methodist connection. He was ordained as an elder in the North Carolina Annual Conference in 2002 and has served as a youth pastor, associate pastor, church planter and senior pastor. He has also contributed to conference leadership through committees on ordained ministry and higher education.

A native of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Lowery holds a B.S. in natural sciences and education from Winthrop University, an M.Div. from Duke Divinity School, and a D.Min. in Christian leadership from Asbury Theological Seminary, where his research focused on inclusion for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

He lives in Kitty Hawk, N.C., with his wife, Eileen, and their two daughters. He enjoys surfing and is actively involved in Surfing For Autism, a nonprofit supporting autism-related services on the Outer Banks.

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Dr. Ginger Cross Hooge

Director, Research and Analytics

Dr. Ginger C. Hooge serves as director of research and analytics, where she leads efforts to collect, analyze and visualize data that inform strategic planning, monitor progress and identify opportunities for improvement. She brings nearly 25 years of experience in research and evaluation across higher education and nonprofit sectors.

Before joining GBHEM in 2017, Hooge was an assistant research professor at Mississippi State University’s Social Science Research Center. Her work there included health, education, safety and economic well-being projects. She directed the Mississippi electronic citation project, conducted a statewide distracted driving survey, and co-authored reports for legislators and policymakers. She also led a five-year NIH-funded project developing health education for preschool and kindergarten children.

Hooge has served as principal investigator or co-investigator on projects totaling $3.6 million and was twice awarded the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station’s Grantsmanship Award for securing the highest extramural funding.

She holds a B.S. in psychology, an M.S. in experimental psychology, and a Ph.D. in cognitive science from Mississippi State University. Her work reflects a deep commitment to using data to support mission-driven decision-making and improve outcomes across the church and higher education.

The Rev. Dr. Tammy Gieselman
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Rev. Dr. Tammy Gieselman

Director, Education and Executive Secretary, University Senate

The Rev. Dr. Tamara K. Gieselman serves as director of education and executive secretary for the University Senate. Since joining GBHEM in 2018, she has led initiatives in study abroad, faculty recognition and grant development through partnerships with organizations such as the British Council, Forum for Theological Exploration and Interfaith America.

Prior to GBHEM, Gieselman spent a decade in higher education as university chaplain, associate clinical professor and director of religious life at the University of Evansville. She directed a Lilly Endowment-funded youth theology institute and led study tours in Israel, England, and Spain.

An ordained elder in the Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church, Gieselman served in local church ministry for 17 years. She earned her doctor of ministry in preaching from Chicago Theological Seminary, a master of divinity with honors from Vanderbilt Divinity School, and a B.A. magna cum laude from the University of Evansville.

Her work focuses on higher education, interfaith leadership, preaching and practical theology. She co-edited Pentecost on Mockingbird Lane (Chalice Press) and has served as a preaching coach with the Academy of Preachers. Gieselman brings innovation and insight to GBHEM’s support of United Methodist-related institutions.

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C. Todd Willis

General Counsel

Todd Willis serves as general counsel of Higher Education and Ministries and chief operating officer and general counsel of Global Ministries, overseeing the agency’s administrative and operational functions. His leadership spans property management, risk, insurance, IT systems, governance, compliance and legal strategy.

A lifelong United Methodist and son of a pastor, Willis earned a B.A. from Florida Southern College and a J.D. from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law. Before joining Global Ministries in 2019, he practiced law in Washington, D.C., and Orlando, FL, as a partner at Carlton Fields, a national law firm.

Willis also served as board chair for the Immigration Law and Justice Network, a United Methodist ministry offering legal services to immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. He and his wife, Kristin, live in Georgia with their three children: Carter, Cooper and Campbell.

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Rev. Dee Stickley-Minter

Executive Director, Mission Engagement

The Rev. Dee Stickley-Miner serves as executive director for mission engagement at Higher Education and Ministries and Global Ministries. In this role, she works with the general secretary to expand missional engagement across The United Methodist Church and with Pan-Methodist, ecumenical and global partners.

Stickley-Miner brings more than 30 years of experience in church-related ministry and leadership. She served 20 years with the West Ohio Conference, including 12 years as director of mission and justice, where she built partnerships in Mexico, Southeast Asia, Russia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and led local initiatives focused on health equity, racial justice and youth inclusion. She later served eight years as director of connectional ministries, overseeing camping, lay leadership and diversity ministries.

Earlier in her career, Stickley-Miner was assistant dean of Student Life and director of the Course of Study School at Methodist Theological School in Ohio. Ordained as a deacon in 1999, she is deeply committed to ministries that serve others.

She holds degrees from Mount Union College and Candler School of Theology. Stickley-Miner lives in Ohio with her husband, Ed Miner, and is the proud parent of three adult children. She maintains active ministry connections in Dayton and Columbus.

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Haley M. Reardon

Chief Development Officer

Haley M. Reardon serves as chief development officer for Higher Education and Ministry and the General Board of Global Ministries. She leads strategic fundraising and donor engagement efforts to support global education, ministry, mission and humanitarian programs.

Reardon oversees comprehensive fundraising initiatives, including major gifts, planned giving, digital and direct response campaigns and disaster response fundraising. She works closely with agency leadership and board members to strengthen relationships with key donors and stakeholders.

A bilingual fundraising professional, Reardon brings more than a decade of experience in nonprofit development and donor relations. Prior to joining the boards, she served on the development team at Emory University’s School of Medicine, most recently as director of development. Her work resulted in endowed professorships and programs, consistently exceeding fundraising goals.

Earlier in her career, Reardon held development roles at Wesley Theological Seminary, where she expanded giving programs and deepened donor engagement.

She holds a bachelor of arts from Birmingham-Southern College and a master of divinity from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. After graduating from Candler, she served as a licensed local pastor at Pleasant View Charge in Winchester, Virginia.

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Susan Clark

Chief Communications Officer

Susan Clark serves as chief communications officer for Higher Education and Ministry and the General Board of Global Ministries. She leads strategic communications efforts to share the mission and ministry of both agencies with key stakeholders and the public.

Clark is a mission-driven marketing and communications executive with experience in nonprofit, higher education, cultural and corporate sectors. She began her career at the Society of St. Andrew, a church-supported hunger relief organization and Global Ministries Advance partner, where she launched its first regional office in North Carolina.

After earning her MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, Clark held roles at S.C. Johnson & Son, Eastman Kodak Company and the High Museum of Art. Prior to joining Global Ministries, she served nearly a decade as associate dean and chief marketing officer at Emory University School of Law, overseeing communications, recruitment marketing, events and publications.

A graduate of Duke University, Clark has lived in Atlanta for many years but still calls the Eastern Shore of Maryland home. Her work reflects a deep commitment to storytelling, strategic engagement and advancing the church’s mission through effective communication.

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Kerri Broussard

Director, Human Resources

Kerri Broussard serves as director of human resources for Higher Education and Ministry and the General Board of Global Ministries. The HR department is responsible for providing support to employees during their employment lifecycle at both agencies, which commences with recruitment and onboarding, continues through talent management and ends with offboarding or retirement. Broussard has been with Global Ministries for 18 years.

She is a member of both local and national chapters of the Society of Human Resource Management. She holds a bachelor’s degree and is a Senior Certified Professional through the SHRM. Broussard was born in Jamaica, migrated to the United States with her family at age 3 and grew up in New York City. She and her husband Chris have three children: Adam, Adalyn and Addison.

Roland Fernandes
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Roland Fernandes

General Secretary, Higher Education and Ministry, Global Ministries and UMCOR

Roland Fernandes serves as general secretary for the General Board of Global Ministries, which includes UMCOR, and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, agencies of The United Methodist Church. In this dual role, he oversees the denomination’s worldwide mission, relief and development efforts, while also leading the agency that connects the church and the academy and prepares clergy and lay leadership for ministry. He oversees programs and partnerships in more than 100 countries, including nearly 200 missionaries serving in more than 60 countries.

Fernandes first joined Global Ministries as a missionary, serving in India and the Philippines before moving to New York to work in financial services. Over his 30-year career at the agency, he has held key leadership roles, including chief operating officer, chief financial officer and interim general secretary. He has been instrumental in guiding the agency through numerous transitions.

A layman from Kolkata, India, Fernandes holds a master of commerce from Calcutta University and is a Chartered Accountant. In 2025, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters for his leadership in global mission and education. 

Committed to humanitarian service, Fernandes has founded agencies that serve vulnerable populations and has volunteered for many nonprofit boards. He currently serves as an ex-officio voting member of the board of trustees of American University, is a member of the board of trustees of Africa University in Zimbabwe, Meharry Medical College, Wesleyan Impact Partners and is a member of the Board of Councilors of the Wesley Zaidan Foundation of Japan. He has previously served as a long-time board member for Church World Service. 

His leadership is rooted in his faith and defined by a commitment to collaboration and mutuality in service. He views mission as “the heart of the church’s work” and sees the agencies as uniquely positioned to further God’s mission globally.

Rev. Meg Lassiat
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Meg Lassiat

Executive Director of Ministry

The Rev. Meg Lassiat serves as executive director of ministry for the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. She leads the ministry team in areas related to licensed and ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church, including enlistment, candidacy, credentialing, theological education, conference relations and continuing formation for clergy.

Lassiat previously served in GBHEM’s Division of Ordained Ministry from 2005 to 2020 and has held roles at the United Methodist General Commission on the Status and Role of Women, as well as in local church ministry. She is an ordained deacon in the Indiana Conference and a graduate of Emory University’s Candler School of Theology.

Throughout her career, Lassiat has focused on building communities, supporting vocational discernment, and creating opportunities for others to live into their callings. She has served on district and conference Boards of Ordained Ministry and as a jurisdictional delegate.

She finds deep fulfillment in collaborative leadership, helping teams imagine, build and grow ministries that make a meaningful impact. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, traveling and spending time at the beach.

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Philip Wingeier-Rayo

Executive Director of Education, GBHEM

Dr. Philip Wingeier-Rayo serves as executive director of education. He brings more than 25 years of experience in theological education, having taught at institutions including Seminario Baez Camargo in Mexico City, Pfeiffer University, Perkins School of Theology, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and Wesley Theological Seminary, where he served as dean for four years.

A former missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries, Wingeier-Rayo served for 15 years in Latin America and is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. His global experience informs his commitment to intercultural theological education and contextual ministry.

He is the author of five books, including John Wesley and the Origins of Methodist Mission (Abingdon, 2025), La Evangelización y la Misión de Dios (Foundery Books, 2020), and Cuban Methodism: The Untold Story of Survival and Revival (2006). His book La Biblia a través de los ojos de Juan Wesley (2019) will be released in English later this year.

Wingeier-Rayo and his wife, Diana, live near Washington, D.C., and have three adult children.

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Dr. David W. Scott

Executive Director, Theology and Strategic Planning

Dr. David W. Scott serves as executive director of mission theology and strategic planning at Higher Education and Ministry and the General Board of Global Ministries. In this role, he supports United Methodists worldwide in discerning how to faithfully participate in God’s mission today.

A respected scholar and author, Scott co-edited Methodism and American Empire: Reflections on Decolonizing the Church. His other works include Unlikely Friends, The Practice of Mission in Global Methodism, Methodist Mission at 200, Crossing Boundaries, and Mission as Globalization. He has also contributed numerous articles and book chapters on mission theology and Methodist history.

Before joining Global Ministries and GBHEM, Scott taught religion and leadership at Ripon College, where he helped students explore the intersection of faith, ethics and global engagement. His writing and leadership continue to shape conversations about the future of mission in a changing world.

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