New programs and modalities launched
To meet the evolving needs of students,
a variety of new programs were launched.
These include a master of science in research
psychology and a master of arts in Christian
ministry. Additionally, an undergraduate
degree in early childhood education and a
certificate in worship studies are now being
offered. New programs currently under
development include a master of science
in nutrition, an online MBA, and certificates
in creative writing and UX/UI (user experience
and user interface) design. Other initiatives
are being explored, promising growth and
flexibility for future learners.
New assistant provost focused on student success
Jenny Lei
Elsey began as
the inaugural
assistant provost
for experiential
learning and student success on July 1,
2021. She leads the University’s student
success and retention efforts and works with
the Center for Career and Calling, the Center
for Learning, the Office of Global Engagement,
and the undergraduate academic counselors.
She helps guide institutional strategies and
practices to strengthen programs and increase
learning. She was previously dean of student
success and equity at George Fox University
and has 18 years of experience in Christian
higher education.
Social Venture Plan Competition held in person after two years
The School of Business, Government, and
Economics held its 16th annual Social Venture
Plan Competition in person on campus in
April. The $5,000 Herbert B. Jones Grand
Prize went to “My Monster Monitor” for
developing an app to help children monitor
type 1 diabetes in a fun way using games and
monster characters. Team members included
business administration majors Faith Stehr,
Manny Diaz, Joshua Erme, and Jeanell Vergara;
visual communication major Jenna Rasmussen;
and Lydia Porter, a self-designed music
business major. Special thanks to Herbert B.
Jones, Cummins Family Foundation, Tschetter
Group, Belmont Cabinet Co., Northwest Center,
Eastlake Real Estate Partners, Highland Private
Wealth Management, and Skills Inc. for
sponsoring this competition.
Read about the winning team and other social venture projects at spu.edu/svpc2022.
Bill Pollard Faith and Research
Fellowship
Made possible by the faithful support of
Bill Pollard, Chairman of Fairwyn Investment
Company, who for a span of 25 years served
twice as chief executive officer of The
ServiceMaster Company, scholars from around
the world apply for the Center for Faithful
Business’ Bill Pollard Faith and Business
Research Fellowship.
Selected scholars come to SPU for a short
residency, where they draw upon Pollard’s
vast collection of papers and speeches
donated to the Work and Faith Collection at
SPU. The Pollard papers and other books
and documents compose one of the largest
work and faith collections in the world. This
distinctive collection is open to anyone who
is interested in exploring the intersection of
Christian faith and work.
The 2022 Pollard Scholars presented their
research findings on campus in May, followed
by a presentation by John Terrill, Executive
Director, Stephen & Laurel Brown Foundation,
Madison, Wisconsin, who won Best Paper for
“The Role of Place and Placemaking in the
Life of ServiceMaster.”
Watch John Terrill discussing
“The Biblical Arc of Work” at spu.edu/biblicalarc.