As he concludes his first full year as dean and president of Seminary of the Southwest, Dr. Scott Bader-Saye has announced a series of important staffing and organizational changes aimed at strengthening the seminary’s leadership and enhancing operational effectiveness.
Among the notable appointments is the naming of Beth Jordan as Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services. Jordan, who served as interim in the role during the Spring 2025 semester, has been with Southwest since 2008 and is one of the seminary’s longest-serving employees.
“Beth’s leadership across all of our degree programs has given her a unique perspective on the seminary’s broad vocational mission,” said Bader-Saye. “She understands both The Episcopal Church and the counselor education landscape. Her strategic mindset, commitment to data-informed decisions, and deep care for our students make her an ideal fit for this role.” He added, “Beth has built an impressive track record over 17 years, helping to recruit diverse, academically strong cohorts and contributing meaningfully to Southwest’s growth and visibility.”
“It’s a privilege to walk alongside students from the moment they sign up for a campus visit to graduation,” Jordan shared. “This position provides a unique opportunity to not only collaborate with an exceptional Enrollment team, but partner with each student and build a strong community at Southwest.”
Joining the Office of Enrollment Management is Deanna Sadek, who has been hired as Administrative Assistant. Sadek will provide crucial administrative support as well as improving efficiency and service to prospective and current students. Her extensive expertise in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) databases is invaluable as we work toward enhancing the online student experience for financial aid processing, housing management, and work-study coordination.
Also, in an important organizational change, the seminary will merge its Institutional Advancement and Communications and Marketing offices into a single unit: the Office of Advancement and Communications. The new department will be led by Eric Scott, who has served as Vice President for Communications and Marketing since 2020. Scott’s career includes prior roles at Southwest as Director of Communications and Director of Major Gifts, as well as senior development positions at ZACH Theatre and Any Baby Can.
“Eric brings more than 25 years of experience in fundraising, communications, and event leadership,” said Bader-Saye. “He’s long been one of Southwest’s most committed champions, and his background in both advancement and communications uniquely positions him to lead this integrated department. His energy, creativity, and strategic insight will serve the seminary well in this expanded role.”
As part of the departmental merger, Tatiana Suggs-Perea has been promoted to Director of Communications. Suggs-Perea previously served as Communications Manager and is widely recognized for her work in Episcopal Communicators.
“Tatiana brings creativity, a deep understanding of the church, and a passion for sharing Southwest’s mission,” said Scott. “Her leadership in Episcopal communications circles and her vision for how we tell our story will be central to the success of this new department. I’m excited to see her step into this role and flourish.”
These leadership changes come on the heels of earlier appointments in the Office of the Academic Dean and the Dean of Chapel, signaling a season of strategic renewal and alignment at Seminary of the Southwest.
“It is exciting to see this leadership team come together so wonderfully,” added Dr. Bader-Saye. “Between them, Beth and Eric have over 30 years of service at Southwest. They bring a level of experience and commitment that will serve this seminary well. Having them work alongside gifted leaders like Ben and Sarah and the rest of the President’s Cabinet makes me feel hopeful and proud of what the seminary will achieve in the future.”
