Less than one year after becoming a full member of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology has been recognized as a retention leader amongst ATS members.
ATS highlights The Seattle School twice in an article shared in a recent member newsletter, emphasizing The Seattle School’s innovative admissions process and orientation curriculum.
Proposing that “retention begins with admissions,” ATS mentions The Seattle School’s Pathways webpages. MATC and MDiv Pathways highlight the vocational paths of alumni and serve as a resource to prospective theology students as they contemplate the future. “With a clear sense of the road ahead,” the article says, “students are less apt to become discouraged.”
ATS also asserts in the article that “orientation offers opportunities for boosting retention,” recognizing The Seattle School’s unique (Re)Orientation program. (Re)Orientation is required for all incoming and returning students each fall as the school “reconnects and re-engages all students on an annual basis” as they transition into a new academic year.
This recent recognition by ATS follows a popular presentation given this April at the annual ATS Student Personnel Administrators Conference in Orlando, FL. The Seattle School’s Registrar, Kristen Houston, and Director of Enrollment Management, Nicole Greenwald (MACP ‘11), presented “Formational Education Starts with Enrollment Management: Best Practices for Sustainable Growth.”
Through its membership in ATS and its sustainable growth and retention strategies, The Seattle School continues to be acknowledged as an innovative leader in graduate theological education.