Alabama State University announced Monday that it has entered into a partnership with the United Methodist Church and the Wesley Foundation to expand student support services through faith-based programming, mentorship and community engagement initiatives.
The partnership was formalized in a memorandum of understanding signed Monday, March 30, at 1 p.m. during a ceremony in the President’s Conference Room in Councill Hall on ASU’s campus.
The agreement establishes “a shared commitment to fostering students’ spiritual development, holistic well-being, leadership formation, and civic engagement,” according to an ASU press release. Through the partnership, students will have access to mentorship, pastoral care, service-learning, leadership training and educational programming aligned with the university’s mission.
“This partnership reflects our continued commitment to supporting the whole student—academically, socially, and spiritually—while maintaining an inclusive environment that respects individual choice and religious freedom,” Quinton T. Ross Jr., president of Alabama State University, said.
Under the agreement, ASU will coordinate efforts through its Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, provide access to campus facilities and promote approved programs. The United Methodist Church said it will provide spiritual leadership and collaborate on student-centered programming. The Wesley Foundation will serve as the primary operational partner for campus-based activities, including worship services, mentorship and service opportunities.
Leaders from all three organizations said the partnership will help create supportive spaces for students to grow personally and professionally.
“This collaboration allows us to invest in students’ lives in meaningful ways, offering guidance, community, and opportunities to serve,” L. Jonathan Holston, bishop of the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church, said.
Participation in all programs will be voluntary and open to all students, regardless of background, and will comply with university policies and applicable federal and state laws.
ASU said the agreement is nonexclusive and will remain in effect for three years, with an option for renewal or amendment by mutual agreement.
