Headshots by Mara Lavitt.
Sarah B. Drummond Biography
Professional Role
Sarah B. Drummond serves as Founding Dean of Andover Newton Seminary and Professor in the Practice of Ministerial Leadership at Yale Divinity School. She has been part of Andover Newton, a graduate theological school focused on ministry education for locally governed faith communities, since 2005. At Andover Newton at YDS, Sarah is lead administrator for a professional school for congregational ministry within a world-class ecumenical divinity school. She teaches and writes about leadership and serves as combination advisor/minister/mentor to ministers in-formation. Sarah is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ.
Educational Background
Sarah earned her PhD in Urban Education at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee with a specialization in administrative leadership. Sarah earned her Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School, where she also served on the staff of Memorial Church in Harvard Yard and earned a Hopkins Share award for promise for ministry. Her Bachelor of Arts degree comes from Yale College, where she majored in Ethics, Politics, and Economics. Her thesis on citizenship theory’s implications for North African immigrant women in France earned her Yale’s Wrexham Prize for the best Senior Essay in the social sciences. She was Class Marshall for Saybrook College at Yale.
Writing and Publications
Sarah has written five books on the subject of ministerial leadership and dozens of articles on the same. Her most recent books are Intentional Leadership In Between Seasons, and Sharing Leadership: A United Church of Christ Way of Being In-Community. They were published by the Pilgrim Press in 2022 and 2021 respectively. Sarah ‘blogs weekly on Medium, and her current series is entitled “Inspirit… That Love Might Grow,” https://sbdrummond.medium.com/. In that series, she directly addresses dimensions of ministerial leadership too-often approached tangentially or in-passing.
Personal
Sarah is from Suffield, Connecticut, where her mother Jackie and sister Wendy reside today. She and her spouse, Dan, live in New Haven, Connecticut, along with four cats and two dogs. The couple’s daughter JJ is an undergraduate at Harvard University. Sarah enjoys reading fiction, spending time with friends, and learning new skills like languages and musical instruments. She is a member of Spring Glen Church, UCC, in Hamden, CT.
CV Last Updated May, 2024
Sarah Birmingham Drummond
Experience
Andover Newton Seminary at Yale Divinity School (YDS)
Founding Dean, 2019-present
Responsibilities
Serve as chief executive for Andover Newton Seminary, embedded at YDS
Design and implement educational program for Andover Newton at YDS
Participate in school-wide leadership as Associate Dean of YDS
Raise funds for operations and scholarships; manage staff and instructional team
As Professor in the Practice of Ministerial Leadership, teach courses on religious leadership and polity
Andover Newton Theological School
Dean of the Faculty & Vice President for Academic Affairs, 2011-2019; member of faculty since 2005
Responsibilities
Served United Church of Christ and American Baptist seminary as the second-ranking official
Led all aspects of the school’s academic programs, including the faculty, library, and academic staff
As tenured Professor of Ministerial Leadership, taught and wrote on leadership issues
Responsibilities Previous to Academic Deanship
Led Andover Newton’s historic and award-winning Field Education Program
Served as Associate Dean with responsibility for student learning assessment, staff coordination
Accomplishments
Secured numerous grants from foundations including the Lilly Endowment and Luce Foundation
Navigated crises, including legal disputes resolved in the school’s favor
Introduced new degree and continuing education programs
Implemented new student learning assessment program
Represented school in attempted merger negotiations, culminating eventually in Yale affiliation
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, University Christian Ministries
Campus Minister & Executive Director, 2000-2005
Responsibilities
Served as Protestant chaplain to 27,000-student campus
Created and implemented spiritual growth programs for students, faculty, and staff
Supervised staff and student interns, raised and managed all funds
Accomplishments
Moved budget from deficit to surplus by securing grants, promoting giving from individuals
Created internship program that placed students considering ministry in local parishes
Dramatically increased regular participation in ministry events from virtually no students to 200
Harvard University
The Memorial Church in Harvard Yard
Affiliated Minister, 1997-1999, 2005-2016
Summer Minister, 2007, 2008; Religious Education Chaplain, 1998-2000; Seminarian, 1994-1996
The Freshman Dean’s Office
Assistant Dean of Freshmen, 1998-2000
Resident Proctor, 1995-1998; Prefect Program Director, 1996-1998
Consulting and Speaking (selection)
Supporting Colleagues Contemplating New Directions
Many schools are seeking guidance and encouragement as they contemplate new future directions as Andover Newton did.
Leadership coach, Union Seminary and New York School of Theology partnership, 2022-current
Panelist on theological education administration, Forum on Theological Exploration, 2022
Panelist on mergers, New England Commission on Higher Education annual meeting, 2021
Association of Theological Schools (ATS)
The ATS is the accrediting body for theological schools in North America, which provides both quality control and leadership development for theological educators and their institutions.
Plenary Speaker for Chief Academic Offices Society, 2023
Workshop Leader for Presidents, 2021
Workshop Leader on Assessment for new Faculty Members, 2016-18
Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning Theology and Religion
The Wabash Center, a key partner of the Lilly Endowment, conducts research and educational programs on effective teaching in theology and religion in colleges, universities, and seminaries.
Colloquy leader for 5+ workshops on planning and evaluation for grantees
Participant, Wabash Dean’s Colloquy, 2013-2017
Evaluation Coach, 2005-2010
United Church of Christ
The work of the denomination takes place on numerous levels, including local, regional, and national.
Ordained minister in good standing, 1997-current
Keynote speaker for Southern New England Conference “Super Saturday,” 2022
Keynote speaker for the Connecticut Conference’s General Assembly, 2017
Publications
Books
Leading with Wonder and Wherewithal. Under Contract with Fortress Press for 2024
Intentional Leadership In Between Times. The Pilgrim Press, 2022
Sharing Leadership: A United Church of Christ Way of Being in Community. The Pilgrim Press, 2021
Dynamic Discernment: Reason, Emotion, and Power in Faith Community Change Leadership. The Pilgrim Press, 2019
Leading Change in Campus Religious Life. Scholars’ Press, 2015
Holy Clarity: The Practice of Planning and Evaluation. The Alban Institute, 2009
Articles, Book Chapters, and other Resources
“The Case for Grace.” Chapter in the Judson Press commemorative book, Space for Grace, 2024. In edits.
“A Hardworking Protestant’s Unease with ‘Ease’.” Reflections, the Yale Divinity School Magazine. May, 2024.
“Emmaus Encounters: Building Community on the Road, 2022; a Case Study on Teaching Seminary Students to Build Community.” The Wabash Center Journal on Teaching. February, 2024.
“Imagining Social Justice Ministerial Leadership Education.” Co-authored with research assistant Omena McCoy. Reflective Practice. March 6, 2023
Thriving Congregations Workbook and Leaders’ Guide. Created for Yale Divinity School for use among student consultants participating in Lilly-Endowment funded initiative. August 2021
“Please Go Around.” The Christian Citizen Weekly. March 25, 2021
“Supply Chains,” in We Shall Be Changed: Questions for the Post-Pandemic Church, Mark D.W. Edington, ed. Church Publishing, Inc. 2020
“Masks, Freedom, and the Power of Covenant.” Reflections, the Yale Divinity School magazine, fall 2020.
“Why Andover Newton requires seminarians to take a course from the Yale School of Management.” The Christian Century, February 4, 2020
“Changing the Rules of the Game.” Reflections, the Yale Divinity School magazine, fall 2019
Book review on Safe Spaces, Brave Spaces: Diversity and Free Expression in Education, and Free Speech on Campus, The Christian Century, May 9, 2018
Lectionary essays on II Corinthians 5:20b-6:10; Romans 5:12-19; and Romans 4:1-5, 13-17. Connections: A Lectionary Commentary. Westminster John Knox Press, publication pending
“Leadership Amidst ‘Institutional Pain.’” The Journal of Religious Leadership, spring 2017
“Lead Time” Web log on leadership in a seminary in transition, with Martin B. Copenhaver, www.medium.com/@lead_time, 2016-2018
“The In-Ministry MDiv.” The Journal of Religious Leadership, spring 2016
“A Dean’s Perspective on Shared Governance,” In Trust, New Year 2016
Devotion series on “Everyday Resurrection,” These Days, Westminster John Knox Press, 2016
Book review on Mothers in Academia. Teaching Theology and Religion, October 2014
Devotion on “Respite and Compassion,” These Times, Westminster John Knox Press, January-March 2013
“Surfing the Sea Change: Academic Leaders Pool Their Knowledge on Building Assessment Programs.” Colloquy, spring 2012
United Church of Christ bulletin insert, Easter Sunday, 2012, viewed by over 1,000 worshipers
“Assessing Student Learning,” in Welcome to Theological Field Education! Matthew Floding, ed. The Alban Institute, 2011
“Attracting Younger Adults to Congregational Life: Three Tensions.” Congregations Magazine, summer 2010.
Lectionary essays on II Timothy 4: 6-8, 16-18; II Thessalonians 1: 1-4, 11-12; and Ephesians 1: 11-23. Feasting on the Word: Year C, Volume 4. Westminster John Knox Press, 2010
“The Integrative Seminar: A National Perspective on Field Education On-Campus Courses.” Co-authored with Rev. Dr. Henrietta Aiello. Reflective Practice, Volume 29, 2009
“The Integrative Seminar: Field Education On-Campus Courses.” Conference presentation and published abstract, Association of Theological Field Education. Atlanta, January 2009
“Making the Connection: A Case Study on Bridging Classroom and Experiential Learning.” Christian Education Journal (Series 3, 6:1). Spring 2009
“Theoretical Foundations for Integrative Learning in Theological Field Education.” Theological Education (43:2). Spring 2008
Faith Practices in Context. Edited anthology of student essays, published internally, Andover Newton Theological School, 2007
“Learning, Leadership, and Rapid Change.” The Journal of Religious Leadership (6:1), spring 2007
“Key Findings from a Case Study on the Programs for the Theological Exploration of Vocation.” Religion and Education (34:2), fall 2007
“Assessing a Field Education Program.” Conference presentation and published abstract, Association of Theological Field Education. Dallas, January 2007
“God Wants You! Ministerial and Military Recruitment,” co-authored with Andrew Warner, Congregations, winter 2007
“Online Learning in Secondary Education: A New Frontier.” Co-authored with Simone Conceiçao Educational Considerations, fall 2005
Education
University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
Ph.D. in Urban Education (Specialization: Educational Administration) 2005
Dissertation title: “Leading Change in Campus Religious Life: A Case Study on the Programs for the Theological Exploration of Vocation”
Honors: UW-Milwaukee’s Chancellor’s Fellowship, UW-Milwaukee’s Dissertation Fellowship, selected as student representative to doctoral faculty 2001-2004
Harvard Divinity School
Field Education Supervisor Certification 1998
Master of Divinity 1997
Honors: John D. Williams Fellowship; Hopkins Share Award
Yale University
Bachelor of Arts (Major: Ethics, Politics, and Economics) 1993
Activities included directing after-school volunteer program and studying abroad in France
Honors: Class Marshall, Saybrook College; EP&E Prize for Best Senior Essay; Wrexham Prize for Best Senior Essay in the Social Sciences
Community Involvement
Regional Accreditation
Chaired visit for the New England Commission on Higher Education, 2022 (upcoming visit in fall 2024)
Theological School Accreditation
Standards Redevelopment Task Force chair, 2018-2020
New Educational Models Steering Committee, 2015-2019
Standards Redevelopment Process Design Committee, 2017
Board of Commissioners Nominating Committee chair, 2016
Commissioner, Association of Theological Schools Board of Commissioners, 2014-2020
Yearly Peer Evaluation Committees, chairing 10+, beginning in 2007
Spring Glen United Church of Christ
Member in good standing
Chaired Strategic Plan Implementation Task Force, 2023
Taught Confirmation Class to middle schoolers, 2021-2023
Star Island, UCC
Volunteer children’s chapel minister, 2022-current
Annual Fund Co-Chair, 2018-2023
Board of Directors, Chaplain to the Board, 2011-2017
Nominating and Personnel Committee chair, 2013-present; Marketing Committee chair, 2011-2013
Integrated Refugee and Immigration Service
“Cultural Companion” to refugees and their families, 2016-present
Yale University
Fellow and advisor to undergraduates, Saybrook College, 2017-present
Alumni interviewer, 2000-2021
Member, report co-author, Yale Counsel Committee on Religious & Spiritual Life, 2003-2004