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Union Presbyterian Seminary welcomes a new vice president for Strategy and Institutional Effectiveness

Dr. Shawn Oliver begins her work on April 1

by Union Presbyterian Seminary | Special to Presbyterian News Service

Dr. Shawn Oliver

Dr. Jacqueline Lapsley, president of Union Presbyterian Seminary, welcomes Dr. Shawn Oliver as the seminary’s vice president for Strategy and Institutional Effectiveness.

Oliver will oversee the Seminary’s Leadership Institute as well as the Center for Social Justice and Reconciliation, the Center for Excellence in Christian Education, the Katie Geneva Cannon Center for Womanist Leadership, and the Syngman Rhee Global Mission Center.

Additionally, Oliver will serve as the seminary’s accreditation liaison with the Association of Theological Schools and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Leadership and oversight of Information Technology operations will also be part of Oliver’s role. According to Lapsley, “Continuous improvement processes are key to increasing UPSem’s efficiency and impact. With her expertise in strategic planning, institutional evaluation, and administrative leadership in higher education, Dr. Oliver brings a wealth of knowledge and experience.”

Oliver was most recently the Senior Associate Academic Dean at Princeton Theological Seminary. Prior to her work in Princeton, she served at Ashland Theological Seminary, Ashland University in Ohio. She earned her Ph.D. at Kent State University, her M.Div. at Ashland Theological Seminary, and her M.S. at the Ohio State University. She is a native of Mississippi.

Oliver begins her duties at Union Presbyterian Seminary on April 1.


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