The Women’s Council provides scholarships for students and opportunities for fellowship among women who share an interest in the Seminary. Events focus on special music, speakers from the Gordon-Conwell community, students who benefit from the Women’s Council scholarship fund and a luncheon.

Over the years, many students have been the recipients of Women’s Council Scholarships. Aseneth May Castaneda ’24 is one such student. Originally from Utah, Aseneth has felt increasingly called to ministry through the arts and mental health since high school. She is fulfilling this calling by taking courses at Lesley University in Dance/Movement Therapy and being equipped for ministry in counseling and theology at Gordon-Conwell. She shared these reflections about the Women’s Council Scholarship:

I am undertaking a journey to understand my identity as an artist in God’s kingdom. My experience of having strong, supportive mentors, disciplers, counselors, and friends has made such a difference in my life. I hope to be that difference through Christ for other artists of the faith. I am pursuing Gordon Conwell’s degree in Mental Health Counseling in order to obtain the practical tools and credentials to support the calling I believe God has put on my life. As one who wants to serve in both ministry and mental health, I am registered as a dual degree student. I am prayerfully considering a different second degree or certificate in the hope of tailoring my classes toward arts, artists, and theology. In the future, (my husband) Daniel and I hope to work together to develop a Christian organization for holistic wellbeing. We desire for this holistic approach to include standard mental health services, art programs, and art therapies. We aspire to help make mental health and wellness more available to the marginalized populations through this organization. It is a humbling honor to accept the support and partnership of the Women’s Council. This offer is an incredible reminder that God provides in unexpected ways.