Berkeley Seeks Director of Formation

January 12, 2015

Berkeley Divinity School at Yale has begun a search for a permanent Associate Dean and Director of Formation at Berkeley.  The Rev. Lynda Tyson has filled that position on an interim basis this year.  In that capacity Dean Tyson has worked with staff and faculty colleagues to promote a superior quality of student life and formation in worship, classroom and beyond. As she completes her Doctorate of Ministry degree, she is preparing to focus on her own spiritual direction practice after this academic year.

Dean Andrew McGowan recently outlined his sense of the role and its importance:

“For Berkeley students the Director of Formation and Associate Dean is the first point of contact for most aspects of our common life, and for their own formation process. Given the Dean’s necessary focus on the wider community of the Church and other supporters, as well as on the overall shape of the BDS and YDS program, the importance of an experienced and capable leader in the Director of Formation role is critical to our mission.

“The Associate Dean works with Yale Divinity School staff, Berkeley student leaders and the Dean of BDS to ensure students are well-supported in areas as diverse as admissions, spiritual formation, pastoral care, worship planning, and placements.

“Berkeley has been blessed by the Rev. Lynda Tyson’s presence as interim this year, as one of a series of wise priests who have influenced a generation of students. We are looking for a worthy successor to this tradition, to contribute substantially to the unique educational and formational mission here.”

The position of Associate Dean and Director of Formation is posted on the Yale Human Resources website (http://www.yale.edu/hronline/careers/application/external/index.html), STARS reference 28627BR. Review of applications has already begun, and will be ongoing until an appointment is made.