Meet our enrollment team
Thinking about applying to SMU Perkins School of Theology? Read our blog and learn more about the people who will help you during your application process from start to finish.
From application to graduation
The Perkins School of Theology’s Office of Enrollment Management follows each prospective student’s journey and provides them with the necessary support to answer their spiritual calling. Read on to meet the dedicated team guiding Perkins’ outreach and recruitment efforts as they answer questions to help you learn more about them.
Q: What is your role at Perkins?
A: As Assistant Dean of Enrollment Management, I lead our team in all aspects of recruitment, admission, and scholarship aid. This includes developing and implementing strategic plans for outreach and communication, campus visits and events, overseeing new student orientation and decision-making around aid. — Christina Rhodes, Assistant Dean of Enrollment Management
A: I plan all of our recruitment initiatives, including events and travel, work with inquiring and prospective students. I read and review applications, and travel to schools, conferences and other organizations to recruit students. — Rev. Heather Gottas Moore, Associate Director of Recruitment and Admissions
A: I travel to university campuses, especially campus ministries and conferences, to represent Perkins, communicate with prospective students as they inquire about our programs, help them through the application process and plan individual visits to campus. — Emilie Moenickheim, Senior Recruiter
A: I am one of the main recruiters for Perkins. I travel to various conferences and campus ministries to meet communities and talk a bit about what Perkins offers. I also support applicants in completing their applications, read those applications and plan and execute prospective student events. — Sammie Moles, Admissions Recruiter
Q: What’s your favorite thing about Perkins?
A: People here truly care about one another and there’s a genuine spirit of doing life together, whether in the classroom, at chapel or over coffee. It’s that blend of academic excellence and deep connection that makes Perkins such a special place. — Christina Rhodes, Assistant Dean of Enrollment Management
Q: How would you describe the culture at Perkins?
A: Perkins is a truly ecumenical space. Though United Methodist in its foundation, the faculty, staff and students represent many of the varied expressions of Christianity. Those complementary, and sometimes, conflicting perspectives are all welcomed in these classrooms — respectfully, of course! Perkins is a place where folks can ask questions and deepen their understanding of their faith, theology and that of others. It’s nearly impossible to leave the same as you come in! — Rev. Heather Gottas Moore, Associate Director of Recruitment and Admissions
Q: What do you find most meaningful about working with prospective students?
A: I have the privilege of helping future faith leaders through the discernment process. I’m usually one of the first folks that prospective students will speak to at Perkins, so it’s amazing to watch students go from dreaming about the ministry they want to do to watching them graduate. — Emilie Moenickheim, Senior Recruiter
Q: What advice would you give someone applying to Perkins?
A: The idea of a “perfect application” is holding you back. Applying to Perkins is free and not too time-intensive. We, on the other end of the application, are rooting for you and want you to succeed as well, so just go for it! — Sammie Moles, Admissions Recruiter
Q: What's one moment or story at Perkins that's stuck with you?
A: I’ve experienced so many meaningful moments over my eight years at Perkins, but one that always stands out is New Student Orientation. It’s such a fun and energizing time; there’s this incredible buzz as we welcome both hybrid and on-campus students. You can feel the excitement as current students, faculty and staff come together to greet the newest members of our community. It’s the start of something special, and I love seeing those first connections being made that often turn into lifelong friendships and working relationships. — Christina Rhodes, Assistant Dean of Enrollment Management
A: In my first year as a student in Perkins, I was sitting on a bench by the labyrinth with some classmates from my Old Testament course. One of my classmates was struggling because what we were learning in class seemed to be dismantling everything they knew about the Bible. Our professor was pushing, poking, and challenging what we had learned our whole lives. My classmate was wondering if they were in the right place, or if anything they believed was true at all. I said, “I don’t think our professor wants you to change who you are, or even what you believe — they just want you to think critically about what you believe and why, so you can support it with substantive arguments. If you can do that, even if we don’t agree, then you’ve done the work.” That classmate is ordained and serving as a military chaplain. I still use that story when I’m talking to students who are struggling with the challenges they face during their time at Perkins. — Rev. Heather Gottas Moore, Associate Director of Recruitment and Admissions
Q: What are you most excited about this year at Perkins?
A: I’m really excited to continue growing our Maestría en Divinidad program! The next cohort for that program begins in Fall 2026! — Emilie Moenickheim, Senior Recruiter
A: This year, I am excited about welcoming our new students and getting to travel to different campus ministries and conferences. I hope to continue fostering our relationships with schools/churches in South Korea and Japan specifically as well. — Sammie Moles, Admissions Recruiter
Interested in joining the Perkins community as a student?
Reach out to our Enrollment Team by heading to their contact page.