E. Byron (Ron) Anderson Named Associate Dean of Institutional and Educational Assessment
May 16, 2019
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary announces the appointment of Rev. Dr. E. Byron (Ron) Anderson as Associate Dean of Institutional and Educational Assessment, effective July 1, 2019. In this new role, Anderson will steward the responsibilities of institutional accreditation and assessment and ensure integrous alignment between institutional strategic planning and a comprehensive, systematic approach to educational assessment and programming.
“I am delighted that Dr. Anderson will be serving in this new role,” said President Lallene J. Rector. “He has shouldered these responsibilities for some time and has already demonstrated giftedness and enthusiasm for accreditation and assessment processes. We are blessed that Dr. Anderson undertakes this critically important responsibility for the seminary and congratulate him on this promotion!”
Since 2016, Anderson has provided leadership for the work of accreditation and assessment in a variety of faculty capacities. As Accreditation Liaison Officer, he has coordinated and supervised the seminary’s accreditation processes with the Association of Theological Schools, the Higher Learning Commission, and the United Methodist University Senate, ensuring institutional compliance with policies, procedures, and standards. As chair of the Masters Degrees Committee and director of the Master of Divinity degree, Anderson has worked with Academic Dean Luis Rivera, faculty, and staff to develop and implement processes for the ongoing systematic review of all master’s degrees and master’s-level certificate programs, and the ongoing improvement of curricular policies and practices required as a result of those reviews.
With an eye toward aligning degree-program assessment with curricular improvement, Anderson has coordinated ways to strengthen attention to learning outcomes, learning assessment tools, and course design. He has also supported the expansion of our certificate program and has worked closely with the Assistant Vice President for Strategic and Innovative Initiatives on the assessment of broad-based educational opportunities. Through shared leadership, Anderson also oversaw the recent overhaul of the Master of Divinity and related master’s degrees curriculum.
A member of the Garrett-Evangelical faculty since 2003, Anderson is the Ernest and Bernice Styberg Professor of Worship and Director of the Nellie B. Ebersole Program in Music Ministry at Garrett-Evangelical. While continuing his teaching responsibilities, as Associate Dean of Institutional and Educational Assessment Anderson will support the work of Academic Affairs in aligning innovation with assessment.
Anderson is an ordained elder in full connection in the Minnesota Conference of The United Methodist Church. He has served in parish ministry as pastor, musician, and educator. He has written numerous articles, papers, book chapters, and books including Worship and Christian Identity: Practicing Ourselves (Liturgical Press/Pueblo Books, 2003) and Common Worship: Tradition, Formation, Mission (Foundery Books, 2017). Anderson is a member of several professional associations including The Hymn Society of the United States and Canada, The North American Academy of Liturgy, and Societas Liturgica.
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, a graduate school of theology related to The United Methodist Church, was founded in 1853. Located on the campus of Northwestern University, the seminary serves more than 450 students from various denominations and cultural backgrounds, fostering an atmosphere of ecumenical interaction. Garrett-Evangelical creates bold leaders through master of divinity, master of arts, master of theological studies, doctor of philosophy, and doctor of ministry degrees. Its 4,500 living alumni serve church and society around the world.