On Campus

Dr. Megan Wagner examines a student at Health Services

PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL HOSPITAL FOR CAMPUS CARE

Early in August, Southeastern announced a new collaboration with Lakeland Regional Health (LRH) to provide enhanced medical care for students beginning in fall 2020. Through this partnership, the university is able to provide full care and urgent care services on campus.

“We are very excited and grateful to be able to partner with one of the leading hospitals in our state,” said President Kent Ingle. “Lakeland Regional Health has provided many opportunities for our students to gain experience off campus, so we are looking forward to partnering with them on campus. This opportunity will help us offer premier health services for our students and enhance our on-campus experience as we look to provide a healthy and safe environment for our community.”

DR. MEGAN (VENDLINSKI) WAGNER ’08 was hired by LRH as a physician assistant to provide health services to students on campus. Previously, Megan was an assistant professor in the College of Natural & Health Sciences for five years and has also worked as a physician assistant. Megan is a nationally-certified Physician Assistant (PA-C) practicing in family medicine for the past 10 years.

“The young adult demographic has a lot of age-specific needs and requires clinicians to take time to educate them. I want to ensure students learn how to make informed health care decisions and have access to the best healthcare services. That is why we teamed up with Lakeland Regional Health, to allow students access to not only excellent care on campus but access to an amazing healthcare network,” said Megan.

In her new role, Megan oversees medical and counseling services on campus. The partnership with LRH provides practical experience for undergraduate students in the nursing and counseling fields to work in the department.

Smith Hall was also renovated to house all of Health Services, including sick and well campus services. The updated building includes four patient exam rooms and on-site laboratory testing.

Dr. Kenneth Stephens and Sylvia Blackmon-Roberts discuss the task force with President Ingle and Dr. Bethany Thomas

DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND EQUITY TASK FORCE

In July of 2020, President Kent Ingle introduced the launch of a Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Task Force. The purpose of the task force is to advance racial diversity on campus and work toward racial reconciliation.

“In light of recent tragic events, my eyes have been opened to the culture of racial injustice that still exists in our nation,” said Ingle. “As a university, we want to be an active part of the healing and restoration of racial justice. We believe we can do this by engaging in conversation with those who have been affected by inequality.”

This task force team includes the university’s associate vice president of community relations, Sylvia BlackmonRoberts; vice president for student development, DR. BETHANY THOMAS ’19 (Ed.D.); director of multicultural affairs, RAY ALLEN ’08, ’15 (MAML); chief of staff, DR. MICHAEL STEINER ’14, ’15 (MBA); professor of public theology, Dr. Chris Green; chair of the department of human services, Dr. Kenneth Stephens; director of residence life, Charlie McNulty; and SEU board member, Scott Williams.

Spearheading the task force as chair, Blackmon-Roberts says they plan to spend the first year analyzing data and listening to the SEU community with the aim of releasing a proposal at the end of the academic year. One of the first early initiatives of the task force is the introduction of cultural awareness and development programs for all university employees and students.

“We know that change won’t be easy and change won’t be quick,” said BlackmonRoberts. “Our work is legacy, not reactional work. We are going to take our time and get it right.”

The task force is in addition to SEU’s Department of Multicultural Affairs, established in the fall of 2017. The goal of the department is to raise awareness of how different cultural perspectives impact society. The department works to ensure that there are times and spaces where conversations happen, voices are heard and actions are planned.

“Our work is legacy, not reactional work. We are going to take our time and get it right.”

AN ACCELERATED PATH TO MINISTRY

Beginning in the fall of 2021, a new degree path known as the Pastoral Accelerator Program will be available for student enrollment within the Barnett College of Ministry & Theology, Southeastern’s church partnership site network and online. Designed to help students earn both a bachelor’s degree in a ministry-related program and a master’s in divinity, it creates the opportunity to complete both degree programs within five years as opposed to the typical six or seven.

The program’s formation was made possible through a $2.1 million grant from The Kern Family Foundation, an organization that provides funding to faith-based institutions specifically for the development of accelerated degree programs in the field of ministry and theology.

Utilizing a 2+3 model, the undergraduate portion is designed to be completed in two years and the work of the master’s degree in three years. This is made possible through several acceleration strategies. Ideally, students will enter the program with their general education requirements already completed, but may also earn additional credits online in the summer or by taking additional coursework during the academic year. Students can also earn credit by assessment when appropriate. Once the undergraduate requirements are fulfilled, students are awarded 24 credits of advanced standing into the master’s program, greatly accelerating the M.Div. and making it more affordable. The remaining 48 credits of the M.Div. are split between one year of standard classes and two years in residence at one of Southeastern’s high-impact church partner sites.

“We’ve developed degree plans to accommodate any student, no matter where they stand with credits,” said Dr. Mike Cuckler, executive director of the Pastoral Accelerator Program.

Many courses will be brand new and highly relevant with a focus on developing a theoretical foundation of biblical literacy, orthodox Judeo-Christian theology and ministerial leadership. In addition, the coursework completed in residence will be extremely experiential. Students will be fully immersed in their assigned church setting, gaining practical ministry experience and learning the best practices and strategies that correspond directly with their classes.

Every student in the program will also be enrolled in a virtual cohort experience, available through the MyFire portal. The virtual cohort will include interactive discussions, community development among students and content from President Kent Ingle and many other leaders from across the country.

“Our hope is the Pastoral Accelerator Program will become a premier ministry preparation degree delivered at SEU and throughout its partnership site network,” Cuckler said. “The program creates a truly integrated model of academic vitality and practical ministry experience, which will provide churches the opportunity to have fully prepared Master of Divinity educated students, equipping them to be field-ready and employable upon graduation.”

For more information about the Pastoral Accelerator Program, contact Cuckler at jmcuckler@seu.edu.