Chief Academic Officers Society (CAOS)

Purpose of the Organization

The Chief Academic Officers Society (CAOS) of The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada is a collegium of Chief Academic Officers of ATS member institutions. Its purpose is to support the work of CAOs by providing:

1. A collegial network

2. Educational and professional development opportunities

3. A context for nurturing the vocation of the CAO and visioning its future development

Responsibilities of the CAOS Steering Committee

The responsibilities of the Steering Committee include:

1. Providing an annual professional development conference.

2. Providing opportunities for the development of new CAOs.

3. Developing structures for collegial support and communication.

4. Serving as an advocate for CAOs and the profession of CAOs within ATS.

5. Serving as a catalyst for conversation on emerging issues in the profession.

6. Providing a platform for members of the Society to engage in conversation and raise concerns regarding the development and implementation of ATS Standards of Accreditation.

7. Encouraging the tradition of scholarly reflection on the role of the CAO.

CAOS Steering Committee Members

Members of the Steering Committee are affirmed to four-year terms.

Class of 2006

• Kathleen D. Billman, Dean of Academic Affairs, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, Chicago, IL
• Wendy Fletcher, Vice Principal Academic Dean, Vancouver School of Theology, Vancouver, BC

Class of 2007

• Anne Anderson, Dean of the Faculty of Theology, University of St. Michael's College, Toronto, ON
• Bruce C. Birch, Academic Dean, Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC

Class of 2008

• Alice W. Hunt, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Vanderbilt University Divinity School, Nashville, TN
• Willie James Jennings, Academic Dean, Duke University Divinity School,      Durham, NC

Class of 2009

• Linda W. Bryan, Assistant Dean, Shaw University Divinity School, Raleigh, NC
• Gail R. O'Day, Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs, Candler School of Theology of Emory University, Atlanta, GA