Date: July 29, 2021
As associate dean of students, I witness first-hand the dedication of staff members in Academic Affairs and Student Life. Those I work most closely with include Derek Greten-Harrison, who coordinates all aspects of admissions and student housing; Rachel Holm, our Registrar, to whom I turned for answers to countless questions this past year; and Elly Hahn, who came on board in April, and has quickly become indispensable in many aspects of student life.
Today I want to highlight the work of AASL staff, and several other staff members, in overseeing VTS’s transition to Blackbaud’s Higher Education Management. August 1, 2021, will mark the one-year anniversary of VTS going fully “live” on this system. Higher Education Management is a software solution that powers the admissions application, student registration and academic records, student billing, and the VTS intranet — “The VTSHub” — for the whole community, including the campus calendar, departmental informational pages, and staff and student directories. No technology transition is without bumps along the way, but overall the transition to Higher Education Management has been a highly successful one that has improved the end-user experience for both current and prospective students. A huge thanks to Rachel, who led the implementation process, and to Derek, Cassandra Gravina, Elizabeth Panox-Leach, Olivine Pilling, Mara Sherman, and Terrell Whitaker, who all had a hand in this effort!
In recognition of VTS’ successful implementation, Blackbaud interviewed Rachel and Derek about their work with the software and how it has improved many processes at the Seminary. The published story can be viewed online here.
The Rev. Ruthanna Hooke, Ph.D.
Associate Dean of Students
Associate Professor of Homiletics