Mark Batten has served as the executive director of community engagement for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WS/FCS) in North Carolina since December 2020. Before joining WS/FCS, he served in theological education for more than a decade, working as the assistant dean of admissions and strategic communications at Wake Forest University School of Divinity and as the admissions analyst and manager of admissions programming at the Candler School of Theology of Emory University. He has also worked as an adjunct faculty member in Christian studies for Campbell University Adult and Online Education. He is coauthor of the chapter, “The Lord Requires What of Me? Answering a Call to Student Services in Theological Education,” in Transforming Service: Reflections of Students Services Personnel in Theological Education (Pickwick Publications, 2020). Batten holds degrees from Campbell University and Candler School of Theology.

Shelly Hart is director of academic administration and registrar for the Candler School of Theology of Emory University. She has worked in theological education administration for 24 years, serving in a variety of roles in admissions and financial aid prior to taking on her current role in 2010. Hart has found her own vocation in serving students in theological education coupled with volunteer roles in local congregations, public schools, and scouting ministries. Currently serving as a laity member of the North Georgia United Methodist Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, she recently coauthored the chapter “The Lord Requires What of Me? Answering a Call to Student Services in Theological Education,” in Transforming Service: Reflections of Students Services Personnel in Theological Education (Pickwick Publications, 2020). Hart is a 2002 graduate of Candler’s MDiv program and she holds a BA in religion from Oklahoma City University.