Dear Ones,
I am the Rev. Alison Miller, and I am honored to serve as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Starr King School for the Ministry. Today, I am thrilled to share an important update about the next chapter of Starr King.
After months of dedicated work by Starr King’s presidential search committee and by the decision of the Board of Trustees made through a consensus process, it is my joy to announce that the next president of Starr King School for the Ministry will be Dr. Stephanie L. Krusemark.
Dr. Krusemark is a visionary leader in progressive higher education with over two decades of experience guiding institutions through complex change, fostering inclusive communities, and advancing student-centered, mission-driven innovation.
She has served in senior leadership roles at a range of values-aligned institutions, including Iliff School of Theology, Naropa University, Prescott College, Santa Clara University, and Trinity Washington University. At each of these institutions, she has led efforts to increase access for historically underserved students, build sustainable enrollment strategies, and embed equity and inclusion into core institutional practices.
A scholar-practitioner, Dr. Krusemark holds a Doctorate in Higher Education from the University of Denver’s Morgridge College of Education. Her published research addresses equity, mentorship, and access in higher education, with contributions to AAC&U’s magazine, Liberal Education, and the Journal of Research on Women and Gender. She serves on the Strategic Enrollment Management Editorial Board for the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO).
Dr. Krusemark holds a deep commitment to the school’s counter-oppressive mission and 120-year legacy of preparing Unitarian Universalist and multi-religious leaders for ministries of compassion, justice, and liberation. She is widely respected for her collaborative and courageous leadership style – grounded in spiritual integrity, deep listening, and a commitment to collective care. She brings to Starr King a profound belief in the power of progressive theological education to transform communities and cultivate justice.
Dr. Krusemark is stepping into this role at a pivotal moment in history. Organizations with counter-oppressive missions and higher education as a whole are being called to respond to attacks by our federal government, which seeks to undo decades of progress and to silence those who are working to create a more just, equitable, and loving world. This emerging reality comes at a time when economic uncertainty and cultural headwinds were already reshaping theological education.
Dr. Krusemark’s extensive background in strategic enrollment management, institutional advancement, and organizational transformation, as well as her abiding dedication to Starr King’s counter-oppressive mission and values, uniquely prepare her to help Starr King navigate these uncertain times and boldly imagine our beloved school’s next chapter.
Dr. Krusemark will officially begin her work on June 9. She will work alongside our current president, Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt, until June 30 to ensure to smooth transition. Stay tuned for updates on opportunities in the coming weeks to welcome and get know Dr. Krusemark.
Although we are living in increasingly difficult and uncertain times, I am excited for the work ahead as we enter into this next chapter. I know Dr. Krusemark’s presidency will be fueled by joy, vision, and a heartfelt dedication to our mission.
With that, please join me in welcoming Dr. Stephanie L. Krusemark as the next President of Starr King School for the Ministry.
Sincerely,
Rev. Alison Miller
Chair, Board of Trustees
From Dr. Stephanie L. Krusemark
I am deeply honored and humbled to serve as the next President of Starr King School for the Ministry. I join this vibrant community with joy, a spirit of connection, and a strong commitment to advancing our shared mission.
With deep respect for Starr King’s legacy, I am eager to help bring greater financial stability, foster enrollment growth, and expand our outreach—within the Unitarian Universalist community and across the local, regional, national, and global landscapes where our values of social justice, respect, and love are so urgently needed.
This is a pivotal moment—a time to rise together and shape the beloved community we all envision. As your next president, I am devoted to making that vision a reality.”
