Sarah Birmingham Drummond

180 Whittier Road | New Haven, CT 06515

sarah.drummond@yale.edu | https://sbdrummond.medium.com/ | www.sarahbdrummond.org 

(475) 414-6548

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, teach courses on ministerial leadership

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)

Leadership Development Consulting for Theological Schools

            Evaluation coach for Eden and North Park Seminaries on grant applications, 2025

Strategic planning consultant for the Michigan Conference of the United Church of Christ, 2024-2025

Leadership coach, Union Seminary and New York School of Theology partnership, 2023-2024

            Panelist on theological education administration, Forum for Theological Exploration, 2022

Panelist on mergers, New England Commission on Higher Education annual meeting, 2021

Association of Theological Schools (ATS)

            Plenary Speaker for Presidents, 2025 (pending)

Panelist on women in administrative leadership, 2025 (pending)

Plenary Speaker for Chief Academic Offices Society, 2023

Workshop Leader for Presidents, 2021

Workshop Leader on Assessment for new Faculty Members, 2016-18

Chair, Standards Redevelopment Task Force, 2018-2020

Commissioner, 2015-2020

Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning Theology and Religion

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

            Panelist on ministry as a profession at UCC Pension Boards Panel, General Synod 2025

Keynote speaker for Southern New England Conference “Super Saturday,” 2022

Keynote speaker for the Connecticut Conference’s General Assembly, 2017

Ordained minister in good standing, 1997-current

Publications

Books

Cultivating Competence: the Ministry of Leadership Development. Fortress Press, 2025

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

Weekly ‘blog since 2018, https://sbdrummond.medium.com/

“The Spiritual Practice of Honoring Urgency.” Chapter in Experience: Spiritual Formation in Theological Field Education. Matthew Floding and Dawn Davis, eds. Rowman & Littlefield, 2025.

“The Case for Grace.” Chapter in Creating Space for Grace: Engaging Intergenerational Faith. Jeffrey Haggray, Cheryl Price, and Rachael B. Lawrence, eds. Judson Press, 2025.

“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

Peer Evaluation for Accreditation

Chaired visits for the New England Commission on Higher Education, 2022, 2024

Chaired or participated in Association for Theological Schools visits approx. annually since 2007

Spring Glen United Church of Christ

Member in good standing

Chaired Strategic Plan Implementation Task Force, 2023

Star Island, UCC

            Volunteer children’s chapel minister, 2022-current

Annual Fund Co-Chair, 2018-2024

            Board of Directors, Chaplain to the Board, 2011-2017

Integrated Refugee and Immigration Service

            “Cultural Companion” and English tutor to refugees and their families, 2016-present

Yale University

            Fellow and advisor to undergraduates, Saybrook College, 2017-present

Alumni interviewer, 2000-2021