In the Loop

SAS changes to better support students

Where can your student ask questions about Spring Quarter courses? Receive approval for a much-anticipated study abroad program? Have transfer credits evaluated? Or request a transcript while applying for graduate school? 

Until recently, students and families found answers to those questions and more in Student Academic Services. But no more.

Beginning this year, Student Academic Services transitioned into two new offices: The Office of the Registrar and the Office of Academic Counseling.

A change originally proposed by Provost Laura Hartley, the two offices will focus on different aspects of student support: The academic counselors will continue to work directly with students while the Office of the Registrar will work behind the scenes.

Now falling under the Experiential Learning and Student Success Team, the academic counselors in the OAC will lead on new-student advising, help students in academic difficulty, make study abroad approvals, and more.

The Office of the Registrar will continue to create the academic catalogs and time schedules, manage classroom scheduling, maintain academic records, do transfer evaluations, work with student veterans, and more.

“Our goal is to provide opportunities for students to receive more comprehensive support from their academic counselors and streamline administrative processes,” said Jenny Elsey, assistant provost for experiential learning and student success. “At SPU, we have three core components that define student success: belonging, preparation, and transformation. The decision to have the undergraduate academic counselors join the Experiential Learning and Student Success Team was made with the student experience in mind.”

New graduate degree in nutrition announced

During Winter Quarter, Seattle Pacific University unveiled a much-anticipated graduate program: the low-residency program with the MS in Nutrition.

A hybrid program that enables students to earn their master’s degree in nutrition in just four academic quarters, this program aims to increase students’ knowledge of causes and risk factors of nutrition deficits, research methods, and more. Students will also explore emerging and controversial topics in the field. Said Daniela Gheleva, associate professor of nutrition, “We have designed a program that offers flexibility and is responsive to the needs of current and aspiring health professionals.”

Applications to begin Autumn Quarter 2022 are being accepted until April 1. To learn more, visit spu.edu/msnutrition.

Center for Career and Calling reimagines how to reach every student

Just in time for Spring Quarter, the Center for Career and Calling has career help for all Seattle Pacific University students, whether they’re preparing to graduate or preparing for their next year as an SPU student.

“The CCC is reimagining how to reach every student with the career tools they need to successfully prepare for jobs, internships, and career opportunities,” said Lori Brown, director of the center.

In fact, this spring, the CCC will pilot an expanded in-person, 1-credit course called “Internship and Job-Search Strategies.” Open to any student — regardless of their major — this class will assist them in preparing to find an internship or post-graduation job.

Students from all majors will learn to explore career options, network effectively, write a powerful résumé, create an effective LinkedIn profile, search for a job or internship, and prepare for interviews. “The course will be taught by our senior career counselor with help from our graduate career advisors,” said Brown. “Students will fill their career tool belt with everything they need to successfully land the job they want.”

“UFDN” courses important piece of SPU requirements

Since founded by Free Methodist missionaries in 1891 who valued a non-sectarian approach to education, Seattle Pacific has encouraged students to grow or explore their faith while attending the University. Today, that means no matter their academic major, SPU students are required to take courses centered on the foundations of Christian faith. Part of the Common Curriculum, the “University Foundations” courses include three consecutive courses covering the foundations of Christian faith.

Not only do these courses introduce students to the biblical heritage and to the distinctive doctrines and practices of various strands within the historic Christian tradition, but the courses also represent ways in which the School of Theology serves all students at SPU.

In UFDN 1000, first-year students study and reflect on the Christian life, how our faith is formed, and what it means to live in Christian community.

The following year, students take UFDN 2000, studying the Bible and how the Old and New Testaments narrate the story of God’s redemption, reconciliation, and restoration of creation. (Transfer students with 90 or more credits complete the upper-division version of this class, UFDN 3001.)

Finally, during their junior or senior years, students take UFDN 3100, where they learn about the doctrines that are important to Christians and the ways they influence Christian thought and life.

Whether students enter or transfer to Seattle Pacific University with a strong Christian background or this is their first foray into a systematic look at Christianity, these courses enable students to confront important perennial human questions and challenge themselves from the perspective of the Christian faith. Find out more at spu.edu/ufoundations.

Nine faculty members to retire in June

This year’s class of new emeriti professors combined for a total of 275 years of teaching Seattle Pacific students. They taught across campus in multiple departments, impacting thousands of SPU students across the decades.

“We are grateful to our retiring colleagues for their many years of dedicated service to our students and the mission of SPU,” said Provost Laura Hartley. “Their commitment to excellence in the classroom and the care they showed to students are what make SPU such a wonderful place to thrive and learn. We wish them every blessing as they enter retirement.”

See who’s stepping away from the classroom this spring:

College of Arts and Sciences

• Tom Amorose, professor of English (26 years)
• Alberto Ferreiro, professor of European history (36 years)
• Sharleen Kato, professor of human development and family studies (36 years)
• Robbin O'Leary, professor of mathematics (32 years)
• Mark Walhout, professor of English (35 years)

School of Business, Government, and Economics

• Bruce Baker, associate professor of business ethics (13 years)

School of Education

• John Bond, professor of educational administration (14 years)

School of Theology

• Miriam Adeney, associate professor of world Christian studies (45 years)
• Robert Drovdahl, professor of educational ministry (40 years)

Notes from Student Financial Services

The 2022–23 tuition costs announced

In case you missed it, on March 5, undergraduate students and their families received an email from Nate Mouttet, vice president for enrollment management and marketing, announcing the 2022–23 undergraduate tuition costs and room and board rates. In the email, Mouttet explained, “Last year we rolled out a deep discount in our pricing with Tuition Reimagined and we kept our commitment to cap future price increases to no more than 4%, making SPU one of the most affordable private universities in the region. We know that many of our students and families experience financial pressures, so for the 2022–23 academic year, you will see a smaller tuition increase at 4%.”

How does SPU compare to other private Northwest institutions?

Rising college costs are a consistent barrier to students accessing the colleges of their choice and pursuing their dreams.

In response, Seattle Pacific University remains committed to keeping tuition costs down, offering new scholarship initiatives, in-state matching commitment, and putting a cap on future tuition increases. Here you can view a peer-institution comparison of tuition and room and board costs.

FAFSA deadline coming for financial aid priority consideration

April 1 is the deadline for priority consideration for financial aid for continuing students. The final FAFSA deadline for continuing students is June 1. Find out more at the Student Financial Services File FASA webpage.

SPU Voices Podcast: “At War With Sickle Cell”

After graduating from Seattle Pacific University with a degree in individual and family development, Carina Durkin Taylor ’12 experienced a series of tragedies, leaving her in a new city with a new trajectory, but filled with hope for the future.

When she and her husband were expecting their first child, they discovered that they both carried the gene for sickle cell anemia, and starting their family would carry inherent risk. The journey that followed is a story of faith and triumph. Listen here or read the transcript.