VTS Appoints Rachelle D. Sam as Associate Dean for Strategic Implementation and Priorities

Virginia Theological Seminary
Posted Mar 8, 2022
Back to Press Releases

Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS) is pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev. Rachelle D. Sam ’19 as associate dean for strategic implementation and priorities, effective July 1, 2022.

Sam’s initial focuses will include implementing the Strategic Plan across all Seminary departments, reporting to the Dean and President, and providing summaries of progress to the Board of Trustees, organizing Board committee meetings, and providing guidance to Trustees and representatives. She will also work with Derek Greten-Harrison, director of admissions and housing, to focus on the Seminary’s admissions strategy.

“Rachelle brings many gifts to this role,” said the Very. Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D., dean and president of Virginia Seminary. “Rachelle is the first appointment to the faculty from the school chaplaincy world. We are looking forward to giving her a warm welcome.”

Rachelle currently serves as the Upper School chaplain, director of the social service program, and assistant director of the Skip Grant program at St. Albans School in Washington, D.C. An adjunct priest at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Washington, she received her Diploma of Anglican Studies from VTS in 2019, her Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School in 2010, and in 2007 she received her Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Rice University.

“These are exciting and grace-filled times for the Church, and I’m thrilled to be a part of what God is doing through VTS as it prepares for its third century of ministry and mission,” said Sam. “Virginia Seminary nurtured and formed me as a priest, and I look forward to this new opportunity and returning to the Holy Hill.”

###

Founded in 1823 as a beacon of hope in a country new and finding its way, Virginia Theological Seminary has led the way in forming leaders of the Episcopal Church, including the Most Rev. John E. Hines (VTS 1933, D.D. 1946), former presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church; the Rt. Rev. John T. Walker (VTS 1954, D.D. 1978), the first African-American bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington; and theologian, author and lay preacher Ms. Verna J. Dozier (VTS D.D. 1978). Serving the worldwide Anglican Communion, Virginia Theological Seminary educates approximately 25% of those being ordained who received residential theological education. Visit us online: www.vts.edu.

Tags