In the Loop

Supporting your student in the new academic year

By Jenny Elsey, Assistant Provost for Experiential Learning 

Seattle Pacific staff and faculty are preparing to welcome both new and returning students to campus in just a couple of weeks. We are excited to see them!

In these final days of summer, we know some families are preparing to launch the first in their family to attend a four-year university. Other families will see their students begin their senior year at SPU.

The common experience for all students and families? This will be a period of transition.

During Autumn Quarter, students are often filled with both nervous anticipation and bubbling excitement. And, while SPU faculty and staff work to ensure that students feel a sense of belonging and have the tools to succeed academically, personally, and spiritually, students will continue to need the support system of their families and home communities.

Here are some tips for supporting your student at the start of the academic year:

• If you are new to the SPU community, come to Orientation with your student! All new students are required to participate in Orientation, and we encourage family members to come and attend sessions that are designed specifically for them.
• Whether your student is a freshman or senior, encourage your student to get to know their professors. Also encourage your student to talk with an administrator on campus before an issue comes up.
• Remind your student about resources on campus such as Academic Counseling, Residence Life, Multi-Ethnic Programs, and the SPU Library. The Student Resource Hub lists these support offices and many more in one convenient place.
• Encourage your student to connect with the Center for Career and Calling, and courses taught by CCC staff. First-year students and sophomores can take GS2000 to help them explore career and vocation options. Juniors and seniors will benefit from GS3001 to prepare for internships and post-graduation job opportunities. All students can take advantage of CCC services such as résumé reviews and free professional LinkedIn head shots.
• Offer a listening ear. Make a point to check in with your student on a regular basis. And when you do, know that the greatest gift you may be able to offer is a listening ear.

We want to help our students maintain their family support systems while also building new support systems at SPU. We know that’s important to their success here at SPU. Thank you for partnering with us!

Jenny Lei Elsey, EdD, is the assistant provost for experiential learning and student success at Seattle Pacific University. She has worked in higher education for over 20 years.

Invitations for parents and family members

SPU PARENTS PRAYER NETWORK    

The Parents Prayer Network invites SPU families to join in praying for students and campus life at SPU throughout the 2022–23 academic year. You’re also invited to join us in these two specific prayers for your student and others in the SPU community as Autumn Quarter 2022 is about to begin:

• That students are able to connect with other students and their faculty as the year begins.
• To protect our SPU students and help family members be an encouragement to them.

Join the Parents Prayer Network by signing up here and receive two emails a quarter. You can also visit the Parents Prayer Network webpage on the Parents and Families website for additional short prayers.

SPU PARENT AND FAMILIES FACEBOOK GROUP

The SPU Parent and Families Facebook group is an official SPU resource for you to connect with other SPU parents and resources across campus.

If you have a question about your student’s campus experience or important deadlines, this private group is where you can find answers. You'll also get answers from SPU staff moderators. If you’re not part of this private Facebook group yet and want to be, join the group here.

Seattle Pacific University’s rich Free Methodist roots

By Brian Lugioyo, Dean of the School of Theology and Seattle Pacific Seminary

The Wesleyan vision for Christian education is epitomized in Charles Wesley’s hymn, “Come, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,” which he wrote as a prayer for the students at the dedication for the Kingswood School in Bath Somerset, England, in 1748.

The second verse sings, “Unite the pair so long disjoined, knowledge and vital piety; Learning and holiness combined, and truth and love let all people see. In these, whom up to thee we give, thine, wholly thine, to die and live.”

This deeply Christian and Wesleyan vision of joining learning and holiness captured early Free Methodists. Under the leadership of B.T. and Ellen Roberts, Free Methodists had a vision for the Christian University that, from the beginning, was revolutionary. Read more.

New faculty members joining SPU

Incoming students won’t be the only new faces on campus this September.

More than a dozen new faculty members will be joining the SPU community, and they will be teaching courses in accounting, education, business, psychology, music, and more.

Here’s a look at who they are as well as their academic disciplines.

Incoming 2022 class of SPU faculty

• Virginia Abeyta, assistant professor of nursing
• Anjanette Allard, assistant professor of nursing
• Lida Bentz, assistant professor of mathematics
• Alice Bravo, assistant professor of undergraduate teacher education
• Jack DeJong, associate professor of finance
• Jessica Fossum, instructor of research psychology
• Ange Kakpo, assistant professor of economics
• Piljoo Kang, assistant professor of psychology
• Jonathan Mvududu, assistant professor of international business
• Janene Nelson, assistant professor of music/head of vocal studies
• Carmelita Omran, instructor of accounting
• Thomas Parks, instructor of business ethics
• April Steele, assistant professor of nursing
• Tamura Turney, instructor of marriage and family therapy
• Margaret Young-Weitzel, assistant professor of music

Reminders from SFS

SPU Student Financial Services is here to support your entire family while your student attends Seattle Pacific University. Here are a few things to remember as the new academic year begins.

ACCOUNT INFORMATION AND ACCESS

Do you need to discuss financial aid awards, receive and pay a bill, or just ask a question? Your student must grant access to you before we can send you copies of the bills or discuss your student’s account or financial aid. Have your student follow the instructions on this FERPA Authorization and Authorized Payer page.

 PAYMENT DUE DATES

• Autumn Quarter payments are due Saturday, October 1.
• Winter Quarter payments are due Tuesday, January 10.
• Spring Quarter payments are due Monday, April 10.

Remember: A student’s account balance must be in good standing before the student will be allowed to register for the following quarter. And a late fee of 1.25% of the owing balance will be assessed after the payment due date.

ENROLLMENT AND CREDITS

During the year, if your student considers dropping from full-time to part-time enrollment (or leaving for a quarter), encourage your student to contact Student Financial Services before making the change. Changes in enrollment can affect financial aid.

To remain eligible for financial aid, your student must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and complete at least 70% of all attempted credits.

To receive State of Washington aid, students must complete all attempted credits or they will be put on probation.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Has your student looked into outside scholarships? Watch for an invitation from SFS for our Scholarship Workshop in Autumn/Winter Quarter.

You can also encourage your student to visit our Grants and Scholarships page for useful tips and scholarship opportunities.

Questions?

Contact SFS by email at sfs-info@spu.edu or by phone at 206-281-2061 or toll free to 800-737-8826.

Student Resource Hub

When you or your student has questions about SPU's academic support, student life, or who's who, but aren't sure who to contact, the Student Resource Hub is your portal to answers.

Whether your student will be part of the Class of 2023 or is just beginning the college journey, the Student Resource Hub is where you'll find information about everything from career resources to academic support, to information about student leadership and more.

Bookmark this Student Resource Hub website to have the contact information and office descriptions at your fingertips when you need them.

SPU Voices Podcasts: Personal stories, universal impact

The SPU Voices Podcast is a monthly interview show dedicated to telling inspiring and compelling stories. Everyone has a story. We showcase those that are both artistically rich and culturally relevant.

Check out the most recent podcasts, including “Getting Better With Every Mile of the Journey,” with Jamie Crespo ’12, and “What Would Your Have Us Do to Change the World?,” with Amanda Stubbert.

Visit the podcast website to listen to the episodes, view transcripts, and explore past shows. Subscribe on all streaming platforms.