As we begin the new school year, we are excited to share two leadership transitions. As many of you know, Dean Gretchen Castle and Associate Academic Dean Jim Higginbotham retired from ESR in June.
A search for ESR’s next dean began this past spring. While that process did not result in a permanent appointment, it provided an opportunity to consider carefully the leadership needs of ESR moving forward. The search for a permanent dean will resume during the 2026–27 academic year. In the meantime, to provide continuity and support during this transition, James Logan has agreed to serve as interim dean of ESR and Colleen Wessel-McCoy has agreed to serve as associate dean. Both appointments took effect on July 1.
As interim dean of the Earlham School of Religion, James will serve as ESR’s chief academic and administrative leader, working closely with me, ESR faculty, and College partners to support ESR’s programs, faculty development, fiscal stewardship, and continued alignment with Earlham’s mission. He will provide leadership for curricular planning, faculty processes, accreditation efforts, operational priorities, and collaboration between ESR, Bethany Theological Seminary, and the undergraduate College.
James will continue to serve in his existing role as Senior Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs while taking on these additional interim responsibilities. He has been a member of Earlham’s faculty since 2004 and brings deep experience with Earlham’s academic mission. He has previously served as dean of the faculty, interim academic dean, associate academic dean, and director of the Program in African and African American Studies. He is also a professor of Religion and professor of African and African American Studies. His scholarship and teaching have focused on theology, ethics, religion and society, and Black religion and culture.
James earned his Ph.D. in religion and society from Princeton Theological Seminary, a master’s degree in theology and ethics from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, and a bachelor’s degree from Goshen College.
Colleen is an assistant professor of Peace and Justice Studies and director of the Master of Arts in Peace and Social Transformation program at ESR. A scholar of Christian social ethics, she examines the role of religion in U.S. social movements, with particular attention to questions of justice, poverty, and public life. She previously served as Neely Visiting Professor of Religion and Public Policy at Arizona State University and as a lecturer at Union Theological Seminary. She earned her Ph.D. and Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary and her bachelor’s degree from Agnes Scott College.
As associate dean, Colleen will provide day-to-day academic leadership and help ensure continuity for ESR’s faculty, students, and academic programs during this period of transition. She will continue in her role as assistant professor of Peace and Justice Studies and director of the Master of Arts in Peace and Social Transformation program at ESR.
Please join us in expressing appreciation to James and Colleen for their willingness to take on these important roles at Earlham. Their commitment to our community is deeply valued.