Jennifer Bader
Jennifer Bader (Photos by Caitlin Cunningham)

Clough School of Theology and Ministry's Jen Bader steps down

The respected associate dean has overseen the development and assessment of academic programs since CSTM was founded

Clough School of Theology and Ministry Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Jennifer Bader, who was part of the senior leadership team that helped establish the Clough School, will be stepping down from her position in June after 23 years at the University.

A respected academic administrator, Bader has overseen the development and assessment of academic programs since the Clough School was founded in 2008. She also served as interim dean, and later acting dean, for several months during 2016.

Bader joined Boston College in 2003 just weeks after earning a doctorate from The Catholic University of America. She served as associate director for academic affairs at BC’s Institute for Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry (IREPM). In that role, she chaired the admissions committee, taught courses, developed curricula, and conducted academic advising.

In 2008, Weston Jesuit School of Theology reaffiliated with Boston College and combined with IREPM to become the School of Theology and Ministry (renamed the Gloria L. and Charles I. Clough School of Theology and Ministry in 2024).

Jennifer Bader

Jen Bader: "I love coming to work and asking the question: ‘How do we best educate for ministry in the Church?’ That’s been my driving force.”

“That was a big transition,” said Bader, looking back at the creation of CSTM, at the time the first new school established at the University in more than 50 years. “It was very complex. It was even difficult at times, but it was exciting.

“Building a new school from the ground up and being on that leadership team was amazing,” she recalled. “Everyone had a very similar sense of mission.”

Bader was tasked with creating the school’s academic policies. She also chaired a committee that put together the mission statement for the new school. She remembers having to select the code for the school so it could be officially entered into the University’s registration system.

“I find it challenging to imagine the CSTM without Jen Bader because her presence, touch, and positive influence are evident in every corner of our school,” said Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling Melissa Kelley. “From the school’s very start, Jen has been a vital anchor and innovative thinker, creating policies and procedures—often from the ground up—in ways that have profoundly shaped the strong school and wonderful community that we are today.”

Bader works closely with the faculty and is engaged in the assessment of academic programs. A national priority was placed on assessing student learning about the time CSTM was formed and that mandate matched well with Bader’s natural instincts as an “academic who loves meetings.” She served on a committee charged with creating a plan to assess student learning, a multi-year process, then worked with the faculty on implementing the plan.

“Our faculty are forming people for ministry, so that meant inviting the faculty to consider desired outcomes. That involves asking faculty questions like ‘Who is it that you envision when you’re teaching your course?’ ‘What is it that you want a student to be able to do by the end of the class?’ ‘How do you want our students to approach their ministry after graduation?’”

Once objectives are written and incorporated into the syllabus, outcomes are measured. Bader sits on every program review committee, a comprehensive process that assesses degree programs to see if they are meeting their student learning outcomes. “We aggregate the data to determine trends. My role is to ask really good questions so that the faculty can use assessment data to continuously improve programs.

If ever there were a person and a position that were meant to come together for the good of so many, I think Jen’s incredible work and ministry at the CSTM demonstrate such a match.
MELISSA KELLEY

“I’ve come to recognize that my vocation has been to academic administration. I love working with the faculty and my colleagues on the administrative team. I love coming to work and asking the question: ‘How do we best educate for ministry in the Church?’ That’s been my driving force.”

“I deeply value the opportunity to consult with Jen on various matters, as I know I will be met with openness, creativity, and wonderful colleagueship,” said Kelley. “I will miss Jen’s kind and caring presence among us very much. If ever there were a person and a position that were meant to come together for the good of so many, I think Jen’s incredible work and ministry at the CSTM demonstrate such a match. I’m grateful to God for Jen’s many accomplished years at the CSTM and for her generosity in sharing so much of herself.”

“Jen’s service as the chief officer for academic affairs since the CSTM was established in 2008, and a few years more prior to that, has been simply remarkable,” added Professor of Theology and Religious Education Hosffman Ospino. “Whether accompanying students with utmost care, supporting faculty, or pioneering processes to ensure the school achieves academic success, she has embodied Boston College’s renowned motto ‘Ever to Excel.’”

Bader said one of the highlights of her career came in 2024 when met Pope Francis after traveling to Rome with CSTM Dean Michael McCarthy, S.J., and Professor of Systematic Theology Richard Lennan for a conference. The pontiff gave an address and personally greeted every participant. “Meeting Pope Francis and taking part in the conference were an incredible privilege. To be with people from all over the world doing what we are doing and seeing the global reality of the Church in action, in terms of theology and higher education, was very special.”

Bader has also found joy in working with students. “I usually see the students who are struggling in some way. I find meaning in helping those students, whether it is advocating for them with faculty or connecting them to University resources. And then, seeing over time how they get back on track is so fulfilling. I’m thinking of one student right now in particular: When I called out her name at a recent graduation, it was just lovely to see her walk across that stage and get her moment.”

“Jen cares deeply about our students and their success,” said Religious Education Professor of the Practice Theresa O’Keefe, who has known Bader since O’Keefe was a doctoral student at IREPM. “Whenever I have any concern about a student, whether for health or academic performance, I know that Jen’s the point person I can go to. She figures out how we can legitimately meet the needs of the degree program but also serve this student in particular. She is always really thoughtful about the best way forward.”

Bader expressed gratitude for the University’s offerings related to leadership development, such as Management Development Perspectives, and to Ignatian spirituality.

“I have been steeped in Ignatian spirituality since coming to BC through programs such as Intersections and the Ignatian Leadership Development Program. I’ve taken advantage of the many resources of the Center for Ignatian Spirituality,” said Bader, who made an Ignatian pilgrimage to Spain and Rome last summer. “I’ve been immersed in BC’s Jesuit, Catholic culture and that has really formed me, and for that, I’m incredibly grateful.”

When asked what she will miss most, Bader quickly responded: “My colleagues. We all come to work with a shared sense of mission. It’s hard to imagine my world without them.

“I’ve spent my entire career at Boston College, and I have been very blessed to work here.”

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