From Inquiry to Influence: Wake Forest University School of Divinity introduces ‘The Wake Div Experience’

Wake Forest University School of Divinity announces the launch of “The Wake Div Experience,” an innovative approach to graduate student life from the moment of inquiry to engaged alum. The initiative leverages the School’s distinctive ecosystem of student services from admissions to academic affairs and alumni affairs to ensure that graduates are able to meet the complex challenges of ministry and faith leadership in the 21st century.

“The Wake Div Experience is the future of theological education,” says Interim Dean Corey D. B. Walker. “It will provide our students with an unparalleled experience for their divinity school journey and throughout their lives and careers.”

To support the Wake Div Experience, the School of Divinity has designed a new integrated and expanded admissions and student services team to better prepare graduate theological students for lives of faithful service.

Brittani Hunt, MDiv ‘15, will serve as assistant dean of admissions and student services. Hunt’s areas of responsibility include recruitment, admissions, retention, student engagement, and community and spiritual life. Khelen Kuzmovich, MDiv ‘13, will serve as an integrative student services professional. A primary aspect of her role includes the implementation, assessment, and evaluation of programs and processes for academic programs and student support services. Anna Harris will serve as admissions counselor and provide additional support in the implementation of strategic programs and initiatives designed to engage students throughout their experience with the divinity school.

“At the inquiry stage, potential students begin their journey learning more about what a graduate theological degree can do for them,” says Hunt. “As students matriculate through Wake Divinity, their dynamic classroom experiences are paired with meaningful co-curricular programming that fosters a meaningful and cohesive experience to better prepare students for impact as faith leaders. Our graduates will continue to receive support, resources, mentoring and learning opportunities so that they may inspire the next generation of faith leaders at Wake Divinity.”

A culture of well-being will define the Wake Div Experience. “We want to normalize and formalize care among faith leaders,” says Hunt. “If we can help our students cultivate healthy lifestyle habits early in their theological journey, then they will be better suited to provide faithful leadership to congregations and communities.”

Other key aspects of the reimagined student experience include expanding exploration opportunities for prospective students. There will be more opportunities for prospective students to not only learn about Wake Divinity, including the signature Art of Ministry program and Baptist Commons Initiative, but also new programs to discover the benefits of graduate theological education and to discern the call to ministry. New student orientation will evolve from a two-day in person format to a semester-long experience that will include a virtual component to provide earlier connections with faculty, staff, and peers. Academic, professional, spiritual, and financial wellbeing will also be pillars of the overall Wake Div Experience.

“Our students are a gift,” says Walker. “We are committed to ensuring that we do the very best to equip them to be agents of justice, reconciliation, and compassion in their ministries and throughout their lives.”