As recruiters and admission personnel, “shelter-in-place” caused us to swiftly rethink outreach to prospective students. The March 26 Inside Perkins, originally planned as an on-campus event, immediately took on a Zoom meeting format. Two more Zoom meetings followed in April. Prospects from all over the globe joined in during these three sessions, from New York, Indiana, Louisiana, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Texas, Nigeria, Angola, Mexico and Zimbabwe. The meetings have been engaging and have allowed, as you can see, individuals from near and far to participate.
Our Ministry Discernment Associates have been busy at work on the Houston-Galveston Virtual Experience for Thursday, May 7, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. In planning this event, our newest Associate, Samantha “Sam” Stewart observed:
I recently spoke with a prospective student who said that he feels there is no better time than right now to go back to school, with the uncertainty of the world and having a more relaxed schedule with work. I loved his perspective on taking this time to seize an opportunity. I also recently spoke with a prospective student who just applied to our Houston-Galveston program, and her enthusiasm was infectious. She has mentors and friends who are currently enrolled in the program and excelling in it. This pushed her to apply and begin her journey with us at Perkins.
Sam Stewart will co-host this event along with Caleb Palmer. The two are putting their heads together to provide participants a worthwhile virtual experience. Said Caleb:
Connection with prospective students needs a different approach in this strange and difficult time. So we decided to re-imagine what it would look like for a student to interact with Perkins and, more specifically, the Houston-Galveston Hybrid Extension Program. Providing prospective students with the opportunity to hear not only from staff and faculty but from the experiences of current students is the type of engagement that can draw us closer into community than ever before. It is our hope that those who join us walk away from the experience with more than just knowledge of the program but with a sense of connection to SMU Perkins.
Individuals attending the Houston-Galveston Virtual Experience on May 7 will virtually meet our Office of Enrollment staff; hear from the director of the program, Hugo Magallanes; meet one of the faculty, Dallas Gingles; interact with current students; and hear a very special message from Dean Craig Hill. More than 20 registrations have already been received, and we’re excited to learn from where in the world they are Zooming in.
Join us! Click here to register.
For more information about the session, please contact Stephen Bagby, director of Recruitment and Admission, sbagby@smu.edu. And, please share this information with anyone who is looking to complete the Master of Divinity or Master of Arts in Ministry in a hybrid format program. The best news: Relocation is not required. Attending classes in Houston-Galveston at the start and end of the semester is the only time for face-to-face instruction. Classes are held in Houston Methodist Hospital, located in the world’s largest medical center, Texas Medical Center in downtown Houston.
Grace to you and yours in this very challenging time, loaded with opportunity!
The Rev. Margot Perez-Greene, Ph.D.
Associate Dean of Enrollment Management