Through a structured focus on talent, knowledge and skills SCUPE develops the leadership potential of individuals from schools, churches, community organizations and social agencies that seek to enhance the spiritual, social and physical quality of life for city dwellers.

CORE VALUES

• We are dedicated to educating individuals of all ethnicities and backgrounds in urban ministry, community organizing and community building.
• We value contextual education and design our educational programs to give students the best opportunities to match theory with practice.
• We are committed to ensuring that social justice prevails by preparing students to work as social change agents.
• We constantly create new partnerships and programs in response to the evolving needs of urban communities.

BACKGROUND

Since 1976, SCUPE has been devoted to educating individuals from all backgrounds as effective change agents in urban communities. This need was identified in the late sixties and early seventies, a time characterized by numerous social upheavals. Many urban training programs were created to respond to these urban dilemmas; however, the programs died along with the unique problem. In partnership with five seminaries, SCUPE established a comprehensive pastoral education model to address the volatile issues of urban ministry.

Utilizing the educational and training theories of adult experiential education, SCUPE provides both academically accredited courses and non-academic programs. Our programs are designed for individuals interested in pastoral ministry, community leadership and social justice. These programs engage the urban environment as well as provide leadership development for urban ministers.

Today, SCUPE is comprised of twelve seminaries. We now have over 300 graduates and many more have taken individual courses. Our academic program expanded and now includes, Graduate Theological Urban Education (GTUS), Center for African American Theological Studies (CAATS), Nurturing the Call (NTC) and Master of Arts in Community Development (MACD). Graduates from these programs have assumed numerous leadership positions in local churches and community organizations.

SCUPE Board Members

Ms. Cheryl Hammock, Chair
Chilanta Community Foundation
Chicago, IL

Ms. Lydia Murray, Vice Chair
Civic Consulting Alliance
Chicago, IL

Pastor Ben Dueholm, Secretary
Messiah Lutheran Church
Wauconda, IL

Mr. Case Hoogendoorn, Treasurer
Hoogendoorn & Talbot, LLP
Chicago, IL

Dr. Henry (Hank) Allen
Wheaton College
Wheaton, IL

Rev. Dr. Charles Amjad-Ali
Luther Seminary
St. Paul, MN

Dr. Kenneth W. Bensen
Habitat for Humanity of Michigan
Lansing, MI

Rev. Dr. Tim Douma
Loop Christian Ministries
Chicago, IL

Rev. Dr. Robert Edgar
Common Cause
Washington, DC

Ms. Megan Hunt
Champro Sports
Chicago, IL

Ms. Consuelo R. Miller, Esq.
Law Office of Consuelo R. Miller, Ltd.
Chicago, IL

Rev. Dr. Bruce Modahl
Grace Lutheran Church and School
River Forest, IL

Rev. Herman Perez
Latin Pentecostal Church of God
Lake Station, IN

Dr. Zenobia Sowell-Bianchi
So-Well Dental Associates
Chicago, IL

Dr. Jeffrey Spahn
Leading Leaders, Inc.
Chicago, IL

SCUPE Staff

Rev. Dr. Shanta Premawardhana, President
shanta@scupe.com

Rev. Carol Ann McGibbon, Executive Vice President
Director of Programs
Graduate Theological Urban Studies (GTUS) Director
Academic Dean
carolann@scupe.com

Iris Alvarado, Administrative Assistant
Advanced Latin@ Theological Education (ALTE)
iris@scupe.com

Dody Finch, Registrar
dody@scupe.com

Rev. Dr. Yvonne Delk, Interium Director
Center for African American Theological Education (CAATS)
yvdelk@aol.com

Toylee Green-Harris, Cohort Recruiter
Master of Arts in Social Justice and Community Development (MASJCD)
toylee@scupe.com

Mark Hannan, Congress Director
Manager of Communications & Marketing
mark@scupe.com

Roger Johnson, Church Relations Coordinator
roger@scupe.com

Cynthia Milsap, Associate Director of Graduate Studies
Nurturing the Call (NtC) Director
cynthia@scupe.com

Rev. Dr. Ramon Nieves, Director
Advanced Latin@ Theological Education (ALTE)
ramon@scupe.com

Nancy Renick
Director of Operations/Director of Development
nancy@scupe.com

Rev. Felisa Roman, Program Coordinator
Advanced Latin@ Theological Education (ALTE)
felisa@scupe.com

Angela Samuel, Accountant
angela@scupe.com

Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary
Elkhart, IN

Christian Theological Seminary
Indianapolis, IN

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
Evanston, IL

Institute for Pastoral Studies at Loyola University
Chicago, IL

Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary
Louisville, KY

Luther Seminary
St. Paul, MN

Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
Chicago, IL

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Pittsburgh, PA

Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University
Richmond, VA

Western Theological Seminary
Holland, MI

The success of our ministry at SCUPE depends on generous contributions from committed churches, foundations and individuals. If you have questions about making a donation, please feel free to call the SCUPE office at 312.726.1200 and speak with Nancy Renick, nancy@scupe.com

Donations can be mailed to:

SCUPE
Attn: Nancy Renick
200 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 502
Chicago, IL 60601

Or donate online now:

SCUPE also values the time given to our ministry by dedicated volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering opportunities, please call us at 312.726.1200 or e-mail us at urbanmin@scupe.com.

Thank you for your consideration, prayers and support.