05/13/2026
Ecumenical Theological Seminary (ETS) is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Joy P. Creel as the new Director of Recruitment and Admissions.
Dr. Creel comes to ETS with a distinguished track record in higher education leadership, having previously served as the Director of Recruitment and Admissions for Ashland Theological Seminary’s Southfield campus. Her intimate knowledge of the Detroit metropolitan theological landscape and her proven success in student enrollment make her a premier choice to lead the recruitment and admissions department into its next chapter.
Dr. Creel’s appointment marks a significant milestone for ETS, particularly given her extensive academic and professional roots at Ashland Theological Seminary. Her journey through Ashland’s rigorous programs has uniquely prepared her to identify and nurture the next generation of theological students.
• Advanced Scholarship: Dr. Creel earned her Doctorate of Ministry in Formational Counseling from Ashland, a program renowned for integrating clinical excellence with spiritual depth.
• Clinical Mastery: She also holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Ashland, which serves as the bedrock for her holistic approach to student engagement and mental health advocacy.
• Academic Leadership: Beyond her degrees, Dr. Creel has served as an adjunct professor at Ashland, training graduate-level students in the delicate intersection of counseling and ministry.
In addition to her new role at ETS, Dr. Creel continues to serve as Assistant Pastor at Historic Little Rock Baptist Church in Detroit. Her local influence and commitment to community impact ensure that ETS remains deeply connected to the spiritual and social fabric of the city.
Dr. Creel’s unique blend of administrative science, communication expertise, and formational counseling makes her an invaluable asset to the ETS leadership team. We invite the community to join us in welcoming her as she leads our recruitment and admission efforts with clarity, compassion, and a vision for transformative theological education.
Join us in welcoming Dr. Creel to the ETS Team!