Hood Theological Seminary News Service

SALISBURY — Among the new faces at Hood Theological Seminary this year are Ashley Boggan Dreff and Kelly Bryant.

Dreff is the new director of United Methodist studies and student recruitment. As the focal faculty member in United Methodist studies, she will be responsible for teaching required courses for the master’s of divinity degree, as well as advanced courses in Methodist history, American religious history, and women and gender studies.

In her administrative role, Dreff will foster networking with United Methodist districts and conferences, expand bridge-building with colleges and organizations, serve as a strategic team member with the Office of Recruitment to cultivate relationships to build enrollment, and seel opportunities for United Methodist student professional development.

Dreff has a doctorate in American religious history from Drew Theological School with a concentration in Wesleyan and Methodist studies and women and gender studies. Her doctoral dissertation topic was “Methodists and the New Morality: A History of 20th-Century Methodist Sexual Ethics” (March 2017). She holds a bachelor of arts in art history from the University of Arkansas and a master’s in religious studies from the University of Chicago Divinity School.

As a lifelong United Methodist, she has devoted significant attention to historical writing and archival preservation. She was an assistant archivist for the General Commission on Archives and History of the United Methodist Church. She was also a general conference legislative researcher and analyst for the Connectional Table of the United Methodist Church.

She has a certificate in online teaching and learning from the Association of Theological Schools. While at Drew University, she was the recipient of the Florence Ellen Bell Scholarship.

Bryant is the new library assistant and writing center specialist. In addition to assisting the director of the library with circulation desk procedures, research and technology and other library programming services, Bryant will offer one-on-one writing instruction in the Margaret H. Kluttz Writing and Resource Center.

Bryant received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. She obtained a master of fine arts degree in leadership in student affairs from the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis. She brings diverse experience assisting undergraduate students, graduate students, and professionals with writing coaching and consultation. She has tutor certification from the College Reading and Learning Association.

Hood Theological Seminary, 1810 Lutheran Synod Drive, is a graduate and professional school sponsored by the A.M.E. Zion Church and approved by the University Senate of the United Methodist Church. Its student body includes people from many denominations. As a theological seminary, it provides for the church and the world an educational community in which Christian maturity and ministerial preparation take place together.