Donor Relations, Recruitment, & Strategic Partnerships

About the Office

Shaw University Divinity School (SUDS) continues to prepare clergy and lay leaders for ministry as a prophetic voice through theological education because of the generous gifts, donations, and endowments. Churches and ministry practitioners depend on SUDS to fulfill its trailblazing mission in the 21st Century by strengthening and expanding upon what it means to belong to a community of thriving ministry practitioners, churches, institutions, and mission agencies. For success, the Dean of SUDS and the Development Team engage program participants, donors, and partners to support services that reflect its historical commitment to activism and social change for impact. The following framework describes the strategic goal, priorities, and constituency commitments.

Strategic Goals & Priorities

To provide accessible theological education to prepare adult learners for compelling ministry to address personal and spiritual needs in the church, workplace, society, and across the globe.

Position SUDS as a leader: In Black church theological education, research, and community development services involving ministerial preparation activities, collegiality, and social activism.
Expand access: To non-degree credentialing in theological education to advance spiritual and ethical leadership among students, clergy, and ministry practitioners for the broader culture and society.
Develop expertise: In outreach theological education to empower churches to improve their capacity to thrive in their respective communities.
Provide ongoing education: Through non-traditional theological education opportunities supported by a network of strategic alliances of churches, institutions, and faith-based organizations.
Create a robust fund development model: Within SUDS that engages a broad spectrum of participants to expand donor support.
Reinvigorate the SUDS curriculum: With continuous improvement strategies that involve stakeholders and participants to ensure high-quality theological education and practical benefits for the learner.

Producing relevant learning experiences for a broad constituency of pastoral leaders that generate practical benefits for a fulfilling personal life and ministry.
Building the pastoral leaders’ capacity for venerable leadership, creating a credible church presence and witness for justice and peace in the broader culture and society.
Developing community intervention competencies in pastoral leaders to help others become authentically and collectively engaged in the church mission.
Offering opportunities that cultivate meaningful employment skills to help pastoral leaders achieve post-graduate psychological and social well-being in ministry and the marketplace.
Providing courses for pastoral leaders seeking to integrate their faith and vocational life into a broader culture and societal context.