Dr. Andriette Jordan-Fields has accepted Saint Paul’s invitation to serve as interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean. Dr. Jordan-Fields will assume her responsibilities on April 1, 2026 and continue in the office until June 30, 2027.

Dr. Jordan-Fields possesses considerable experience in this role. She served as a Doctor of Ministry Cohort Lead at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School before assuming the role of interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean for the 2024-2025 academic year. During that time, Dr. Jordan-Fields advanced the work of the faculty and the Divinity School’s academic programs, focusing on the professional development of the faculty, improved coordination across academic disciplines, and enhancing the spiritual formation program for students. Dr. Jordan-Fields also brings extensive experience in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in public and private organizations.

A graduate in political science from Tuskegee University, Dr. Jordan-Fields also earned a Master of Public Administration from Northeastern University, a Master of Arts in Social Change from Iliff School of Theology, and a Ph.D. in Religion and Theological Studies from Iliff and the University of Denver. Her dissertation is entitled, Why Does The Caged Bird Sing? A Phenomenological Analysis of The African American Clergywoman and Her Plight in Black Churches: An Ethical Dilemma.

�ԹϺ����� is fortunate to welcome an individual as talented and capable as Dr. Jordan-Fields to our learning community. Her presence will advance the work of our academic programs and help form the future of seminary education at Saint Paul.��

Our vision for this portal is comprehensive: it will be a centralized directory to help reconnect with classmates, a rich resource center brimming with valuable information, a best practices storehouse to share and discover insights, and a dedicated job posting site to facilitate professional connections within the SPST network. Imagine finding an old friend, accessing a theological paper, sharing a successful ministry strategy, or even discovering a new calling—all within a single, intuitive platform.��

As our staff traveled to various United Methodist churches and other denominational conferences this summer, we were delighted to offer a sneak preview of the portal to one hundred of our alumni. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and these early interactions have been invaluable in refining the portal’s features to ensure it meets the demanding needs of our alumni community.��

What makes this portal truly special is its organic design. We have built it with the understanding that the community is diverse, with a wide array of interests and passions. That is why a key feature of the portal will be the ability for alumni to create and join affinity groups. Whether you are enthusiastic about interfaith dialogue, rural ministry, social justice, or a specific denominational focus, you can connect with fellow alumni who share your interests. This fosters a sense of belonging and allows for the collaborative exchange of ideas and support tailored to your unique ministry context.��

At SPST, we believe that learning and support do not end at graduation. This new online portal is a testament to our ongoing commitment to each student’s success and well-being in the ministries they provide. We are confident that this resource will prove to be an indispensable tool, helping the SPST family stay connected, informed, and empowered as they continue to profoundly impact the world.��

Register at: ����

Questions? Contact Tom Cochran at alumrelations@spst.edu

Meet Ben: Changemaker, Leader, Saint Paul Alum

Ben Boswell is a dynamic preacher, passionate pastor, thoughtful author, dedicated educator, and inspirational social justice leader who has courageously led anti-racist spiritual formation work for people racialized as white and white-dominant organizations. His journey to this transformative work includes service as a U.S. Army Officer and academic excellence at Campbell University (B.A., cum laude), Duke Divinity School (M.Div., magna cum laude), and right here at �ԹϺ�����, where he earned his D.Min. with distinction.

Throughout his meaningful 20-year ministry career, Ben has touched countless lives as Senior Pastor of three different congregations and as an active interfaith community leader. For nine years, he served as the Senior Minister of Myers Park Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC, where his leadership inspired deep community engagement.

We couldn’t be prouder of how Ben has put his Saint Paul education into action! During his doctoral studies with us, he developed “Confronting Whiteness,” a groundbreaking nine-week spiritual formation course for anti-racism work. Following George Floyd’s murder in 2020, Ben began offering this transformative program to his community. What started as a local initiative has blossomed beautifully – today, more than 1,000 people across 15 states and three countries have participated in the program! The work has grown into an annual conference drawing over 250 attendees and nurtures a community of more than 700 people committed to becoming anti-racist in their spheres of influence.

Ben has also shared his wisdom through two essential books: For the Facing of this Hour: Preaching that Resists White Christian Nationalism (2022) and Confronting Whiteness: A Spiritual Journey of Reflection, Conversation, and Transformation (2022).

In 2021, at just 40 years old, Ben received Charlotte’s prestigious Martin Luther King Jr. Medallion – the city’s highest honor for those promoting racial equality, social justice, and community service. Through it all, Ben’s most significant source of pride is being a father to his wonderful 15-year-old daughter.

The Distinguished Graduate Award: Celebrating Excellence

Each year at Commencement, we honor one outstanding alum who embodies Saint Paul’s mission and values through their ministry. Recipients like Ben live out our commitment to being centered in Christ. They demonstrate the power of intentional relationships and formation for innovative ministry through rigorous academic life, deep exploration of Scripture and tradition, and diverse, contextual experience.

Our Distinguished Graduates, like Ben, bring to life our core values by being:

• Christ-centered, prophetic, and evangelistic
• Formed in justice, integrity, and faithful experience
• Contextual, diverse, relevant, and inclusive
• Committed to both intellectual excellence and faithful practice
• Builders of community in challenging contemporary contexts
• Champions for peace and justice through theological dialogue
• Innovators using multiple approaches to ministry

Celebrate With Us!

We invite you to join us for Commencement on Friday, May 16, at 11:00 AM CT. You can participate online via or join us at our Kansas or Oklahoma campus. Together, we’ll celebrate our Class of 2025, enjoy an inspiring message from keynote speaker Bishop Laura Merrill, and honor Ben with his much-deserved Distinguished Graduate Award.

To RSVP for Commencement and explore other Commencement Week activities, please visit /commencement/.

We hope to see you there as we celebrate Ben’s remarkable achievements and the positive difference he continues to make in our world!

Bishop Merrill began her assignment as bishop of the Arkansas Conference in January 2023 and was assigned to the Oklahoma and Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conferences beginning in September 2024. Her election to the episcopacy in November 2022 was historic, as she was elected alongside the first Black woman bishop in the South Central Jurisdiction and the first Native American bishop in the denomination.

With deep roots in Methodist ministry—both her father and grandfather were United Methodist pastors—Bishop Merrill’s journey in service began early. Her commitment to mission work led her to Chile during the final days of the Pinochet dictatorship and to border ministry work in Arizona. She has demonstrated dedication to building bridges between communities and fostering church vitality throughout her career.

Bishop Merrill’s extensive experience includes roles as local church pastor, district superintendent, Executive Director of the Mission Vitality Center, and Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Clergy Excellence for the Rio Texas Conference. Her service on numerous denominational committees, including the National Plan for Hispanic Ministry and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, reflects her commitment to the broader mission of the United Methodist Church.

We invite you to join us for Commencement on Friday, May 16 at 11:00 AM CT as we celebrate the Class of 2025 and hear Bishop Merrill’s address. Guests may attend in person at either our Kansas or Oklahoma campus or participate virtually via our Facebook livestream at .

For those planning to attend in person, please RSVP by April 30 at spst.edu/commencement. We also welcome guests to participate in other Commencement Week activities—full details for all events can be found at spst.edu/commencement.

Join us for this momentous occasion as we celebrate our graduates and welcome Bishop Merrill to �ԹϺ�����.

Leawood, KS — �ԹϺ����� will host the traveling exhibit “Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean to Be Human?” after the seminary was selected through a national competition offered by the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) and the American Library Association (ALA).��

“Saint Paul is very excited to be one of just six theological seminaries in the country to be selected to host this unique and fascinating exhibit,” said seminary Exhibit Coordinator Dr. Nancy Howell. “No one will want to miss seeing the seminary transformed into a science museum, and we have an impressive line-up of programs planned, with offerings for students, clergy, teachers, and other adults. Visitors of all ages are invited to tour the exhibit, and the seminary welcomes school groups. We hope everyone will join us in a conversation about what it means to be human.” ��

In addition, scientists and other experts from the NMNH Human Origins Program will visit the Saint Paul Kansas Campus to host events on campus and online for the community, including a science program, educator workshop, community conversations, clergy tour, and more. To register for events, visit spst.edu/special-events/.����

Through panels, interactive kiosks, hands-on displays, and videos, “Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean to Be Human?” invites viewers of all ages to explore and learn about the milestones in the evolutionary journey of becoming human. The traveling exhibit encourages a public conversation that invites multiple perspectives on what it means to be human — one that embraces the ideas and beliefs of non-scientists and fosters a greater appreciation of the complexity of the science of human evolution.����

The exhibit will open at �ԹϺ����� on February 4, 2025, and close on May 14, 2025.��

�ԹϺ����� Kansas Campus is located at 13720 Roe Ave, Building C, Leawood, KS 66224. The exhibit is free and open to the public daily – please visit the website for exhibit hours.�� We are happy to offer group tours to schools, churches, and other interested parties. Please get in touch with Dr. Nancy Howell (howellnr@spst.edu) to schedule your group’s visit. For more information on exhibit hours and a schedule of events, visit spst.edu/special-events/ or call 913-253-5000.��

***��

Exploring Human Origins: Promoting a National Conversation on Human Evolution is administered by ALA’s Public Programs Office in collaboration with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History’s (NMNH) Human Origins Program.��

Effective July 1, 2025, Rev. Dr. Casey Sigmon will be tenured and promoted to the title of Associate Professor of Preaching and Worship. ��In granting tenure, the seminary recognizes the value of Rev. Dr. Sigmon’s teaching, scholarly contributions, and service to��the Saint Paul community.

In 2016, Dr. Sigmon joined����as a Visiting Instructor in 2016 as part of the Vanderbilt program in Theology and Practice. She launched her teaching at Saint Paul with a course entitled, “Preaching in the Digital Age” based on her dissertation research. Her recent scholarship includes the upcoming��Engaging the Gadfly: How to Move from Reactionary to Reflective Hybrid, Online, and In-Person Preaching in the Digital Age��(2025) and a chapter on designing worship from a process perspective in��Preaching the Uncontrolling Love of God��(2024). Dr. Sigmon’s teaching continues to inspire innovation and creativity, equipping students to lead transformative worship with theological depth and cultural awareness.

An ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), she is a dynamic preacher and worship leader who is deeply concerned for the wellbeing of pastors and preachers. Through the generosity of the����Compelling Preaching Initiative, Dr. Sigmon serves as the Director of the��, the first and only sacred space for weary��preachers to restore their creativity and reignite their imagination through rest and play.

We congratulate Dr. Sigmon on this well-earned attainment and are blessed by her continuing support of the mission of �ԹϺ����� to form people for innovative, creative ministry. ��

Rev. Shahan’s responsibilities will include strengthening relationships with donors, alums, and friends of �ԹϺ����� throughout Oklahoma, including the Oklahoma Annual Conference and the Oklahoma Indian Mission Conference of the United Methodist Church. Additionally, Rev. Shahan will assist in cultivating and deepening relationships with Oklahoma City University, where the seminary’s Oklahoma Campus is located. One of his key initiatives will be establishing a “Friends of Saint Paul” organization, which will convene two to three times yearly to support the seminary’s mission and community.

Adam Shahan brings a wealth of experience and passion to this role. He serves as the Senior Minister of Wesley United Methodist Church OKC and is an adjunct instructor in the Wimberly School of Religion at Oklahoma City University. His extensive involvement in the church community includes his roles as the Registrar for the Central District Committee on Ordained Ministry and Chairperson of the Conference New Faith Communities Ministry Team (NFC). Shahan’s deep connections within the region and his dedication to theological education make him an asset to �ԹϺ�����.

In addition to his ministry roles, Rev. Shahan is pursuing his Doctor of Ministry at �ԹϺ�����. He is married to Aly Shahan, Director of University Church Relations and Religious Life at Oklahoma City University. Together, they have two children.

�ԹϺ����� has prepared leaders for ministry at its Oklahoma Campus since 2008. Students at the Oklahoma Campus benefit from access to the resources of a vibrant university and the supportive environment of a close-knit seminary community. In collaboration with Oklahoma City University, Saint Paul also offers a Three Plus Three Accelerated Degree Program, enabling students to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in just six years.

For more information about �ԹϺ����� and its programs, please schedule a Campus Tour or visit spst.edu.

As I step into the role of the Executive Director of Development and Alumni Relations at �ԹϺ�����, I do so with a deep personal connection to the mission of this esteemed institution. I am thrilled to join the Saint Paul family and contribute to its rich legacy. Building upon the seminary’s strong foundation, I am eager to enhance our donor base and alum network. The opportunity to collaborate with dedicated educators in shaping the next generation of ministers is genuinely inspiring.

With nearly two decades dedicated to development work, most recently as Director of Resource Development at The Salvation Army of Kansas and Western Missouri, I have cultivated a deep passion for building meaningful relationships and supporting organizations in achieving their missions.

My grandmother, a woman of unwavering determination, instilled a strong work ethic in me. Her mantra, “There is work to be done, so let’s get to it,” has guided me throughout my career. I am committed to significantly increasing our donor-generated revenue by strengthening our robust alum community through activities that engage and meet alums where they live, work, and play.

I believe in the transformative power of education and the vital role that �ԹϺ����� plays in preparing future leaders. I look forward to working with all of you to achieve our shared goals. What are your hopes for the seminary’s future?

If you’d like to contact Tom about alumni news, events, or donations, you can reach him at Tom.Cochran@spst.edu or 913-253-5011.

With a blend of emotions, we announce that our esteemed alumna, Rev. Dr. Tiffany Nagel Monroe ’12, is transitioning from her role as the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Campus and Associate Director of Contextual Field Education at �ԹϺ�����. Dr. Nagel Monroe will embark on a new ministry path within the Oklahoma Conference, assuming the role of Senior Pastor at First United Methodist Church of Edmond, effective July 1.

In bidding farewell to Dr. Nagel Monroe, we reflect on her invaluable contributions to our community and her unwavering commitment to serving God’s people. President Jay Simmons aptly expresses, “While all of us are saddened by Tiffany Nagel Monroe’s departure from Saint Paul, we celebrate her decision to return to the pulpit and serve the United Methodist Church in Oklahoma. Oklahomans will benefit from one of the most dynamic church leaders in the state leading a vital community of faith. Tiffany’s leadership offers one more example of a Saint Paul alum pursuing innovative, creative ministry.”

Dr. Nagel Monroe herself shares, “Moments in ministry, like this one, are often bittersweet. The bitter is in the leaving; the sweet is in the following of God to the next step on my journey.” She expresses deep gratitude to �ԹϺ����� for shaping her into the pastor, educator, and leader she is today, acknowledging the profound influence of faculty, staff, trustees, and fellow alums. Despite the unexpected turn of events, she embraces the call of the Holy Spirit and eagerly anticipates continuing to serve God’s people wherever her path leads.

Though Dr. Nagel Monroe may be passing the baton of leadership, her unwavering support for �ԹϺ����� remains steadfast. She assures us of her enthusiastic encouragement as we press onward in our mission to impact the Kin-dom of God. As she answers this new calling, Dr. Nagel Monroe affirms, “Saint Paul really is where Theology Comes Alive. Go Theologians!”

Let us join together in expressing our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Nagel Monroe for her dedication and service to �ԹϺ�����. While we bid her farewell in her current capacity at the end of the semester, we eagerly anticipate the great things she will accomplish in her new ministry role and look forward to her frequent visits to campus. Please join us in wishing her every success and blessing on her journey.

Be well,

Jay Keith Simmons, Ph.D.
President
�ԹϺ�����

“Each week at the Lazarus Community we create a place of resurrection where persons whom many consider to be as good as dead, the least, lost, broken, afflicted, and addicted find a place in community. Lazarus Community operates a drop-in center that offers an emergency food kit (use the QR code to see how you can help), hygiene, showers, mental health, pastoral care, hot meals, and a place to experience God’s wide embrace in worship and in transitional living. We are grateful to �ԹϺ����� for the partnership in ministry and in practice of a Lazarus story (John 11:1-44) as the dead are raised to life and the community is empowered to move from disappointment and grief to celebration and restoration!” – alum��Rev. Bo Ireland ’17, Executive Director of Lazarus Community

You can help today by scanning the QR code for items most needed by the Lazarus Community pantry. These items are used to create Emergency Food Bags. You may also bring donation items to a physical campus location and place them in the donation box.��

Oklahoma Campus: 2501 N Blackwelder Ave., Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel, Oklahoma City, OK 73106
Kansas Campus: 13720 Roe Ave., Bldg. C, Leawood, KS 66224

�ԹϺ����� is a seminary of intentional relationships and is committed to the formation of people for innovative and creative ministry. We believe in the mission of God in the world and in supporting the Saint Paul community by actively serving it. Would you like to be considered for a future Saint Paul Gives Back semester? Contact Rev. Dr. Tiffany A. Nagel Monroe at Tiffany.nagelmonroe@spst.edu.����