Meet the Admissions Team
Greetings from the Admissions Team!
As you consider seminary studies, please know that the Admissions Team is always happy to serve as a resource to you and to answer your specific questions. We would love to meet you and hope that you'll come visit the campus or that we'll run into you.
Scott Poblenz | Dean of Enrollment Management
Hometown: Wyandotte, MI
Undergrad: Wayne State University (Detroit, MI)
Degree: Master of Divinity (May 2004)
What were you doing before you came to GCTS? Chemical Engineering
Favorite Class at GCTS? "Exegesis of Revelation" with Dr. Sean McDonough
What is one of your favorite things about living in New England? The rich history here, especially having to do with Christianity in America, and the amazing beauty of this area.
Hobbies/Interests? Youth ministry, reading, and spending time with my family.
Why Gordon-Conwell? The time I spent with my mentor in the Mentored Ministry program here was very significant for me as I prepared for ministry. The multidenominational aspect of GCTS also stretched and challenged me and, in the end, made my commitment to my tradition more robust and rich.
Contact: spoblenz@gcts.edu
Sarah White | Assistant Director of Admissions
Hometown: Poughkeepsie, NY
Undergrad: Southeastern University (Lakeland, FL)
Degree: Master of Divinity (May 2011)
What were you doing before you came to GCTS? Finishing up my undergrad degree at Southeastern, where I served with the chaplain ministry and played college soccer.
Favorite Class at GCTS? "Exegesis of Kingship Narratives" with Dr. Tom Petter
What is one of your favorite things about living in New England? The history that took place here!
Hobbies/Interests? Running, watching soccer games, photography, and traveling.
Why Gordon-Conwell? Sitting in class with students from places like China, Korea, Africa and Europe as well as Anglicans, Presbyterians, Baptists, and students from a charismatic background like me. Each person is able to bring a unique perspective to the discussion.
Contact: sarah@gcts.edu
Ashton Dennis | Admissions Representative
Hometown: Ashburn, Virginia
Undergrad: Eastern University (St. Davids, PA)
Degree: Master of Arts in Ethics and Society (2013)
What were you doing before you came to GCTS? Finishing my History/Political Science degree at Eastern University and LCC International University in Klaipeda, Lithuania
Favorite Classes at GCTS? Christian Ethics and Social Issues with Professor Patrick Smith; Sexual and Bioethics with President Hollinger
Hobbies/Interests? Traveling, reading, running, delicious coffee, bonfires and anything outdoors.
Why Gordon-Conwell? The community at Gordon-Conwell is contagious. The faculty not only are experts in their fields, but strive to pursue relationships with students; this makes the learning environment here at GCTS personal and ardent.
Contact: adennis@gcts.edu
Jesse Lipes | Admissions Representative
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Undergrad: Wheaton College
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in English (2006), Master of Arts in Theology (2009), Master of Arts in English (2012)
What were you doing before you came to GCTS? Working at Starbucks and relaxing after undergrad
Favorite Class at GCTS? “Christianity and the Postmodern World” with Dr. Lints
What is one of your favorite things about living in New England? I love its natural beauty. The fall colors are unbeatable. Also, Boston offers an endless supply of things to do on weekends—cultural activities, sporting events, coffee shops, you name it.
Hobbies/Interests? Spending time with my wife and my friends. Also, I read way too much.
Why Gordon-Conwell? I chose Gordon-Conwell because it offers rigorous academics and freedom of theological, philosophical inquiry while also retaining an orthodox faith in Christ. While I was studying here, this impression was continually reaffirmed.
Contact: jlipes@gcts.edu
Jill Benson | Admissions Administrator
Hometown: Johnstown, PA
Undergrad: Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Indiana, PA)
Degree: Master of Arts in Old Testament and Biblical Languages (October 2012)
What were you doing before you came to GCTS? Working as campus staff with the Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO) at Penn State University.
Favorite Class at GCTS? “The Old Testament in the New” with Dr. Roy Ciampa and “Exegesis of Conquest Narratives” with Dr. Tom Petter
What is one of your favorite things about living in New England? The beach!
Hobbies/Interests? Reading, writing, knitting, running and enjoying the outdoors.
Why Gordon-Conwell? Initially, I came to Gordon-Conwell because of its strong biblical language program and this reputation was overwhelmingly confirmed through the many language courses I took during my time at GCTS. While a student, though, I also came to appreciate the quality of all of the professors in their commitment to both teach and mentor students.
Contact: jillb@gcts.edu
Saul Mendoza | Admissions Processor
Hometown: Somerville, MA
Undergrad: Suffolk University (Boston, MA)
Degree: BFA in Graphic Design (May 2008)
What were you doing before you came to GCTS? Traveling, working and living in NYC, playing around in my art-studio, helping with Real Life Church and Hearts of Life International.
Favorite Class at GCTS? I’ll keep you posted…
Hobbies/Interests? Traveling, designing, running, reading and excellent coffee.
What is one of your favorite things about living in New England? Snow-days! Beaches!
Why Gordon-Conwell? Gordon-Conwell is in a beautiful location in the North Shore with renowned faculty. The vibrant and diverse community make GCTS an attractive environment for those passionately seeking knowledge and advancing the Kingdom of God.
Contact: saul@gcts.edu
Ben Bae | Student Worker
Hometown: Arcadia, California
Undergrad: University of Southern California
Degree: Master of Divinity (2014)
What were you doing before you came to GCTS? Finishing up my last year at USC and serving at a local church youth group.
Favorite classes: "Christ in the Old Testament" with Dr. Hugenberger and "Intermediate Greek" with Dr. Keazirian
Hobbies/Interests: Music, books, sports
Why Gordon Conwell? The community, professors, emphasis on learning biblical languages, and great men and women of God who came out of here!
Contact: admrep@gcts.edu
Curt Kenney | Student Worker
Hometown: Yorktown, Virginia
Undergrad: James Madison University
Degree: Master of Divinity (2013)
What were you doing before you came to GCTS? Director of Programs for an overseas development NGO and planning/training volunteer for small groups at my church in Charlottesville, VA.
Favorite Class at GCTS? “Systematic Theology I” with Professor Peter Anders
Hobbies/Interests? Snowboarding, paddleboarding, soccer, exploring Boston and the North Shore with my amazing wife.
Why Gordon-Conwell? The pastors, teachers, missionaries, and other GCTS alumni I’ve met who are effectively serving the Church throughout the world, the diversity of backgrounds in faculty, and the care professors take in understanding what the authors of Scripture intended to say.
Contact: admrep@gcts.edu
Theresa 
Stonesifer | Student Worker
Hometown: Idaho Falls, Idaho
Undergrad: Bucknell University
Degree: Master of Arts in Educational Ministries (2014)
What were you doing before you came to GCTS? Working for a law firm in Idaho Falls and planning a wedding
Favorite Class at GCTS? "Educational Ministries in Cultural Perspective" with Dr. Steve Kang
Hobbies/Interests? Traveling, Dancing, Camp Ministry and working with kids
Why Gordon-Conwell? I chose Gordon-Conwell because of its rich history for equipping men and women for ministry and its focus on missions. Also, my husband and I loved the community and the support we received from fellow students and their families. It has been a blessing to live on such a wonderful campus!
Contact: admrep@gcts.edu
