The start of a new year brings with it the promise of fresh beginnings, new opportunities, and exciting possibilities. At HELM, we not only welcome the arrival of 2024 but also extend a hearty greeting to our newest team member, Mr. Jim Cullumber. Jim joins HELM on February 1, 2024, as HELM’s Director of Major Gifts & Planned Giving. You will have an opportunity to read more about Jim in this Newsletter. For now, I want to offer him our warmest welcome and express how thrilled we are to have him join our growing team.
Additionally, we are pleased to announce the opening of our 2024 Scholarship Application season. Scholarships for all levels of education are listed on our website at www.helmdisciples.org. Please share these scholarship opportunities with your connections!
We are pleased to offer a newly designed process to make it easy for students to navigate the multiple applications available to them. We invite students to go to our website, select scholarship, the level of their education (undergraduate/college, seminary, or Ph.D./D.Min.) and fill out the brief Interest Form. Thereafter, our team will be in touch offering the appropriate link and instructions to complete an online application. The final deadline for all scholarship applications is March 31, 2024. Scholarship awards will be announced during the first weeks of May, in time for students to be recognized at their respective graduation ceremonies.
In the spirit of fostering growth and nurturing talent, we are also happy to share that the Spring Youth Leadership Symposium (high school) cohort has been selected and will attend their first session on February 3, 2024. Similarly, the Leadership Fellows Program (undergraduate) and the Emerging Clergy Leadership Program (graduate) will be selecting leadership cohorts for the 2024-2025 over the next few months. Meanwhile, the Council on Theological Education is partnering with the College of Regional Ministers to offer online Open Houses throughout the year, beginning with the first one on January 18th, for those who are experiencing a call to ministry or want to consider the possibilities and pathways for theological education.
All of HELM’s programs are designed to empower aspiring leaders and changemakers by providing support, mentorship, and resources to individuals who exhibit exceptional leadership potential. By making HELM’s resources increasingly accessible online, we are extending the reach of our programs to a wider audience, transcending geographical boundaries, and creating opportunities for talented individuals from diverse backgrounds to participate in and benefit from our initiatives.
Finally, as we stand on the threshold of the new year, we look forward to navigating the future with optimism and determination. Our commitment to excellence, innovation, and inclusivity remains unwavering, and we are eager to harness the potential of the coming year as we strive toward new strategic planning and clarified organizational goals.
We invite all our students, partners, and stakeholders to join us in strategic planning (between January and May) as we explore the opportunities before us, narrow our offerings, and focus on students entering, attending, and/or seeking to matriculate at Disciples-related institutions of higher education.
As we raise a toast to the new year, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been part of our journey thus far and extend a warm welcome to those joining us as we venture into the future. Here’s to a year filled with success, fulfillment, and endless possibilities!
Rev. Dr. Tamara Nichols Rodenberg
President
Higher Education & Leadership Ministries