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We’ll begin with who we are. St. Stephen's University is a graduate studies learning community comprised of three schools: 

 

• ​THE SSU SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY & CULTURE

• THE JIM FOREST INSTITUTE FOR RELIGION, PEACE & JUSTICE

• THE CENTRE FOR RECONCILIATION STUDIES

 

Our motto, “Anchored with Wings,” expresses how each program explores the ancient depths and soaring heights of our community’s signature values — justice, beauty, and compassion.

 

Our diverse cast of faculty and lecturers enjoy academic freedom to teach from the heart while making generous space in the classroom for the unique spiritual perspective of every student.

 

Our Mission is focused on preparing people, through academic, personal, and spiritual development, for a life of justice, beauty, and compassion, enabling a humble, creative engagement with their world. That’s nothing new for us. But some developments are worth highlighting:

 

• We’re primarily a graduate studies institution, delivering graduate-level courses, 1-year certificates, and degree programs (M.Min., M.A., M.T.S.). 

• Our cohorts gather primarily online, making it possible for students outside North America to earn their degree from home. We’ve enjoyed having students join our learning community from Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, and Germany to Ukraine, the Baltic states, Rwanda, Russia, South Africa, Palestine, and the Philippines!

• North American students supplement their online courses with one or two short in-person residencies (7-day or 9-day) that create a deeper sense of community with their cohort.

• Our two-week study abroad trips give our students an enriching experiential learning opportunities in Ireland, the UK, South Africa, Winnipeg/Treaty 1 territory, and Palestine. 

• Our partnership with Bethlehem Bible College and BIPJ provides SSU with an influx of students who are dedicated to peacebuilding in Israel-Palestine as they enter our M.A. in Peace & Justice (Track 3: Palestinian Context).

• And on that note, our Peace & Justice school is honoured to be named after the Orthodox contemplative peacemaker, Jim Forest, as the Jim Forest Institute for Religion, Peace & Justice. This article on Jim Forest will tell you more about his extraordinary life and why we’re proud of his personal association with us. Jim represents the peacebuilding ethos that begins with inner transformation and that shows up in the world as peace, justice, and reconciliation.

 

My beloved colleague and our Provost & Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Andrew Phillip Klager, asked me, “What do you like most about this school? What makes us unique? Why do you think it’s a great place for students to study?” Here is what I said to him and to all prospective students:

  

• St. Stephen’s seminar-style cohorts (from 15–25 students) offer an unheard-of level of personal engagement between students and professors. There’s a sense of ongoing mentoring, friendship, and prayer available. For many, it extends well beyond graduation.

• We attract students from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, including seasoned pastors, spiritual directors, educators, peacebuilders, activists, community leaders, therapists, and professional (or even retired) lay people alongside some of the brightest young minds you’ll ever meet. The dedicated faith-leaders and bewildered faith-strugglers quickly transform our cohorts into collaborative think-tanks and long-term relational networks. 

• We’re so flexible and light on our feet that students can upgrade their education without having to interrupt their careers, relocate their families, or break their banks. They can finish a degree in two years or stretch it to five according to their needs. 

 

This is just the tip of the iceberg. But I hope you can feel my enthusiasm. How is this for forthright? Please, come study with us. Dare even to dip in for a semester and see where it leads. I think SSU might be just what you or someone you know has been waiting for. Maybe “someday” is finally today. Come, get anchored with wings.