Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is pleased to name Tracy Riggle Young as director of enrollment and retention.
“As a result of a solid interview process and some deep conversations, I’m convinced Tracy Riggle Young is the person to connect a growing number of students with the missional training that Pittsburgh Seminary is increasingly being known for,” said the Rev. Dr. Hunter Farrell, director of the Seminary’s World Mission Initiative. “Her ability to connect with folks across the theological spectrum is a perfect fit for our seminary, where students from varying backgrounds gather to study Scripture and the world in an atmosphere of mutual respect for the transformation of the world.”
For the past five years Riggle Young has served as recruitment coordinator at Union Theological Seminary (New York). In that role she managed the recruitment events, campus tours, and written communication to prospective students, as well as created systems compiling and organizing related data. While at Union, Riggle Young also served as the chief liaison to faculty for both the Alumni Recruitment Program and doctoral student selection process. Additionally, she has served as a volunteer alumni recruiter for Teach For America and Denison University.
In addition to her recruitment work, Riggle Young also has served as instructor of religion, philosophy, and senior research at The Neighborhood Academy in Pittsburgh. Previously she was a teaching fellow at Union Theological Seminary, where she was a Ph.D. student studying social ethics under Gary Dorrien. Her additional teaching experience includes C.S. 66, Teach For America, and Phillips Academy.
Riggle Young is a graduate of Union Theological Seminary and Denison University (summa cum laude). Her honors include receiving the Union Theological Seminary Ph.D. Fellowship and the Joseph C. Hough Jr. Scholarship, among others. Riggle Young’s research and scholarship areas include feminist theology and Black liberation theology. She is the author of “Desmond Tutu: A Theological Model for Justice in the Context of Apartheid,” which appeared in the Denison Journal of Religion.
“Tracy has a rare combination of gifts and experience that makes her uniquely prepared to serve Pittsburgh Seminary,” said the Rev. Dr. Jerome Creach, Robert C. Holland Professor of Old Testament. “She has intimate knowledge of theological education and the work of preparing women and men for ministry. She has years of experience recruiting students for a sister institution. Perhaps most importantly, Tracy understands PTS and is passionate about helping us fulfill our mission. Faculty, staff, and students, as well as our graduates, will find in her a ready ally and advocate.”
Riggle Young stated, “For the past 10 years, in my work as an educator and admissions team member, I have had one of life’s greatest privileges: the opportunity to help guide individuals on the path toward finding their vocation. In keeping with this passion, I look forward to partnering with colleagues at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in both its recruitment and enrollment initiatives in order to support students on the path toward ministry.”
Riggle Young becomes director of enrollment and retention as the Rev. Derek Davenport, who previously served as director of enrollment, begins full-time ministry with the Seminary's Miller Summer Youth Institute. Davenport's work will focus on taking the program on the road—to colleges and churches across the country.
