Fuller Theological Seminary Holds Graduation for Latina Leadership Program

Fuller Theological Seminary announced the graduation of 49 women from its inaugural online Professional Certificate on the Holistic Leadership of Latina Women. The milestone will be celebrated both online and in-person at the Texas campus on Saturday, May 4, 2024.

The six-month program, designed to empower Spanish-speaking Latina women from across the Americas, nurtures leadership within ministerial roles and beyond. “The steadfast commitment of these women, amid their busy lives, underscores the profound resonance and need for such a program,” stated Rev. David Emmanuel Goatley, Ph.D., President of Fuller Theological Seminary.

The curriculum fosters a deep, biblical-theological understanding of women’s roles in leadership and community life, offering practical tools for navigating unique challenges. “This program not only highlights the critical role of Latina women in leadership but also provides them with the resources to thrive in their ministries and communities,” commented Raquel Toledo, program manager and academic advisor.

Rev. Alexia Salvatierra, Academic Dean of the Centro Latino, reflected on the transformative journeys witnessed: “We’ve witnessed transformative journeys—tears, laughter, and profound vocational discoveries. Our participants have emerged with renewed confidence and commitment to leadership and discipleship.”

Flavia Ayelen Caffarena from Argentina shared her experience: “The experience was more than eye-opening and brings a lot of new challenges. One of them is to read the story in terms of gender, because women are present but made invisible. And this allowed me to see that throughout history women were the basis on which the great legacies that we can enjoy and share today were built. Not only within Christianity but also outside of Christianity. I appreciate the opportunity of participating in this cohort, I recommend it because it provides tools and also new lenses to be able to see reality from a perspective where women are present and made visible.”

The next cohort will begin in September 2024, and 27 have already registered. Fuller’s upcoming professional certificate in Mental Health has attracted 64 participants, highlighting the Seminary’s growing influence in professional education.

Fuller Seminary, one of the largest multidenominational seminaries worldwide, offers master’s and doctoral degrees through its two schools and on-demand non-degree courses through FULLER Equip.