Fox Cities News

Shola Adegbite has joined Lawrence University as the new assistant dean of Spiritual and Religious Life. She will support the Office of Spiritual and Religious Life, which is led by Terra Winston-Sage, the Julie Esch Hurvis Dean of Spiritual and Religious Life and chaplain to the university. Her role will focus on students, coordinating spiritual-based student organizations and religious holiday observances. She aims to facilitate discussions with students about spirituality, faith development, religious diversity, community building, interfaith concerns, and social justice commitments.

“I hope to play my part in creating an environment where we can all thrive and be whole,” Shola said.

Previously, Shola served as a campus minister at Union Theological Seminary in New York for three years. She also worked as a chaplain for one year at the Jewish Theological Seminary. Most recently, she was with the Interfaith Center of New York as religious diversity project assistant director.

Shola expressed her attraction to Lawrence University due to its student-centered approach. “First, it is student-centered and there is a lot about collaboration and teamwork, which I really like,” she said.

“As I researched the institution during the application stages, I was drawn to how the website promoted the accomplishments of its people, especially faculty and students,” Shola added. “I also was impressed by all the facilities readily available to use. Then when I met people during interviews and afterwards, people were really nice and personable. Since beginning here, all these things I noticed continue to be true.”

Currently completing a Ph.D. from Union Theological Seminary with a dissertation on conflict resolution strategies in Paul’s letter to the Romans, Shola holds master’s degrees from both the University of Edinburgh in the UK and Union Theological Seminary. Additionally, she has bachelor’s degrees from Olabisi Onabanjo University and Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria.