The IAMSCU Strategic Committee on Financial Sustainability was established in 2023 as a result of the IAMSCU Strategic Planning process. Since then, it has been working diligently to evaluate the association’s activities and plan its future. The committee has focused especially on the need for greater autonomy and sustainability as well as new partnerships and sources of revenue.
The Strategic Committee is co-chaired by Thomas Wolfe and Gerald Lord, and its members are Peter Mageto (Kenya/Zimbabwe), Karen Manczko (USA), Donaciano Alvarado (Mexico), Janet Unsworth (Northern Ireland), Fayneese Miller (USA), and Ken Yamada (Japan).
At their April 2026 meeting, committee members discussed the current context of IAMSCU, general agencies of the United Methodist Church, Methodist education in contexts such as Britain, Brazil, and churches affiliated with the World Methodist Council (WMC) worldwide. They evaluated the education field in general, recognizing that the world is shifting and IAMSCU needs to be prepared for that. Committee members also acknowledged that IAMSCU was established in 1991 to promote the internationalization of education and has received the support of GBHEM and the UMC since then, but it is now time to expand the framework due to internal challenges, declining resources, and institutional challenges. Wolfe and Lord also informed that they have been in conversation with President Adriana Murriello, General Secretary Roland Fernandes, and other leaders to explore opportunities to define IAMSCU’s independent future and expanded partnerships. Committee members discussed these various items and approved a proposal to be sent to the IAMSCU Board of Directors. The Strategic Committee on Financial Sustainability will be presenting its report to the IAMSCU Board of Directors and submitting proposals for strategic actions.