Tag: Accompaniment Series

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September 30, 2026

United Celebrates Largest New Class and Highest Enrollment in Its 65-Year History

Enrollment Has More than Tripled in Ten Years For the second consecutive year, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities (United) is thrilled to welcome its largest-ever incoming class of degree-seeking students. With 85 new degree-seeking students, the seminary is celebrating a total fall term enrollment of 288 degree-seeking students and 7 certificate students, representing the largest total enrollment in United’s history. The seminary’s 65th academic year features: 25% year-over-year enrollment growth and a staggering 239% increase over fall 2016; 163 Master of Divinity (MDiv) students, an increase of 42% year-over-year; 63 Master of Arts (MA), Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL), and Master of Arts in Ministry (MAM) students; 62 Doctor of Ministry (DMin) students. Public theology, social transformation, interreligious engagement, and theology and the arts comprise the four foundational pillars of United’s curricula. They are unique among seminaries and divinity schools rooted in Christian traditions, cultivating an educational environment that practices ecumenism, religious pluralism, and social justice. The MDiv in Interreligious Chaplaincy is United’s largest degree program, with 73 students enrolled for the fall term. The concentration’s interfaith emphasis sets the school apart among its peers, drawing students from diverse backgrounds and faiths. Reflecting the program’s flagship status, the seminary marked a new milestone on July 1 when it welcomed Dr. Ginger Morgan as associate professor for Pastoral and Spiritual Care and program director for Interreligious Chaplaincy. United’s considerable ten-year growth can be credited to its leading-edge academic offerings, widely accessible distance education, and accomplished faculty. The seminary is a bold witness for the common good, preparing innovative leaders for myriad vocational and professional outcomes. From rural congregations to the city hospital’s ICU, United students and alums equip their communities for justice and peace. Mason Mennenga (’22), director of Admissions, leads a passionate and creative staff, all of whom are current students or alums. He reflects, “United’s growth in enrollment over the last number of years and our record for this year is truly a remarkable achievement in theological education. We’re showing what’s possible for progressive theological institutions!” Dr. Hillary Vamstad, director of Student Services, adds, “We’ve created an environment where students feel more than just a number, and I think students see that through the admissions and onboarding process. Feeling seen, heard, and supported while pursuing a seminary education is an important component to United’s growth.” Growth in student enrollment underscores the need to increase the number of core faculty members to continue to provide the quality of education for which United is well-known. Dr. Kyle Roberts, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean, shares, “We are undertaking two faculty searches this year, which include an additional faculty role focused on Ministry Practices. This is a specialty we have been needing for some time on our core faculty to ground students in the practical elements of ministry leadership, such as preaching and liturgy, religious education, institutional leadership and administration.” Rev. Dr. Molly T. Marshall, who is beginning her final year as United’s beloved president, asserts, “I believe United’s remarkable growth is due to our progressive and relevant curriculum, our theological hospitality, and our accessible educational delivery.” She continues, “We delight in creating space (perichoresis) for everyone who desires formative theological education, a distinctive pursuit among seminaries.” United looks ahead to a historic 65th year of progressive theological education, and we give thanks for the students whose vocations, traditions, and unique perspectives enrich the life of our seminary. About United Founded by the United Church of Christ (UCC) as a welcoming, ecumenical school that embraces all denominations and faith traditions, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities has been on the creative edge of progressive theological thought and leadership since it was established in 1962. Today, United continues to educate leaders who, through the eyes of faith, engage in the dismantling of systems of oppression, explore multi-faith spirituality, and push the boundaries of knowledge. Media Contact Nathanial Green (he/him) Director of Marketing and Communications press@unitedseminary.edu • 651.255.6138 Admissions and Enrollment admissions@unitedseminary.edu

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December 5, 2023

Caregivers in a Care-less Society: A Panel on Care Work and Social Justice

What difference would it make if the many caregivers of our world—doulas, chaplains, mothers, fathers, grandmothers, pastors, nurses, doctors—accompanying those with whom they care, worked together to transform our careless social structures?  What if the remedy to widespread caregiver burn-out was to be found in building infrastructures of care rather than in promoting marketized practices of self-care? The COVID-19 pandemic reminded us of our dependence on one another for life and, perhaps especially, our collective need for care. It made visible the radical inequalities produced by a social and economic system that prioritizes profit over people. As many have noted, those who were most at risk of infection and death from the virus—elderly, poor, disabled, incarcerated, migrants, unhoused people—received little support from existing public infrastructure or were neglected and abandoned altogether.  And yet, we live in a society of many caregivers. We have caring professionals (nurses, doctors, midwives, doulas, pastors, chaplains, therapists, social workers, etc.) and unpaid caregivers (friends, parents, communities of faith, etc.). How do our careless systems and structures affect our caregivers and those for whom they provide care? How might reflecting on experiences in caregiving help us reimagine a more caring social life? What is the role of caregivers in the struggle for a more just world? To discuss these questions further, we are delighted to welcome four panelists who are experts in medical care work and social justice: Rev. Dr. Jessica Chapman Lape Rev. Dr. Jessica Chapman Lape is United’s assistant professor and program director for interreligious chaplaincy who received her PhD in Practical Theology from California’s Claremont School of Theology. Jessica’s research inhabits the intersection of spiritual care, healthcare, and reproductive justice. Her dissertation, missTreated: A Womanist Clinical Pastoral Theology on the Mistreatment of African American Women in U.S. Healthcare, explores Black women’s perception of cultural violence in U.S. healthcare systems and the subsequent role of spiritual care in interrupting such violence. Jessica’s current research is working to expand paradigms of clinical spiritual care to include contextualized spiritual care practices such as Black indigenous birthwork. Dr. Michael Westerhaus Dr. Westerhaus, who graduated from Harvard Medical School in 2006, practices at HealthPartners’ Center for International Health. “As a medical anthropologist,” Dr. Westerhaus writes, “I am very interested in understanding the impact of socioeconomics and culture on health and illness. In my role as a member of the global health faculty at the University of Minnesota, I work both here in Minnesota and in northern Uganda to improve community-based primary care delivery, teach about the social determinants of health, and build partnerships based upon respect and equality that advance health for all.” He is also on the leadership committee of EqualHealth. Dr. Aarti Bhatt Aarti Bhatt is an assistant professor of internal medicine and pediatrics at the University of Minnesota, where she completed a chief residency year in Global Health. She is also an associate program director for the Med-Peds residency program and works as a primary care physician at the Community University Health Care Center (CUHCC). She is an active member of the Social Medicine Consortium and does community organizing through the Equal Health Campaign Against Racism (which also has a Minnesota chapter). Dr. Bhatt is a founding board member for Minnesota Doctors for Health Equity. She has a particular interest in using narrative health and community centered approaches to dismantle the social forces of systemic racism that drive health inequity.  Rev. Laura Cannata Rev. Laura Cannata (a 2013 United alum) is a Disability Justice Minister at Robbinsdale Parkway UCC. She is also on the Disability Ministries’ Board of Directors for the National UCC. She lives with chronic illnesses and mental health issues but is disabled by attitudes and societal structures. She speaks the truth to power and writes prophetic poems. She quotes the Bible almost as much as she quotes The Lord of the Rings and loves both people and animals. Register below:

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