InterVarsity’s Graduate & Faculty Ministries is pleased to announce the appointment of Sharon Gartland as the National Coordinator for “Women in the Academy & Professions,” an endeavor designed to help equip women and men to become a redeeming influence for women in the academy and professions.

In her first year on staff with InterVarsity, Sharon will focus on laying a solid foundation for the future of “Women in the Academy & Professions” and will begin to coordinate the development of resources that address life and work issues particular to women graduate students, professional students, and faculty.

Sharon’s own life combines elements that help her to understand the concerns of women whose calling is to the academic and professional words. She completed a masters degree in occupational therapy at the University of Southern California and has taken doctoral-level classes in disability studies. For the past nine years, she has taught masters-level pediatrics courses in the occupational-therapy curriculum at the University of Illinois at Chicago, while running a private pediatric practice and being a mom to four children.

We asked Sharon a few questions to help you get to know her better. Please join us in welcoming her!

Why did you decide to join Graduate & Faculty Ministries as the National Coordinator for Women in the Academy and Professions?

I took this job because it felt as though God had tailor-made it for me. I have become increasingly passionate about encouraging women spiritually and helping them to walk in the truth of their identity as daughters of God. I long to see gifted women in the academy and professions experience the blessing and support of a Christian community in a way that leaves them overflowing with the desire to share the Good News of Christ with others. InterVarsity has been that kind of community for me, and I am excited to be a part of making it even better. I really can't believe they are letting me do this! What a gift.

How can we be praying for you in the early stages of your ministry?

Pray that everything that comes out of “Women in the Academy & Professions” will be pleasing to God and will further his kingdom. Pray that we are able to hone in on the most useful ways to support the staff of Graduate & Faculty Ministries (GFM) in their work with women and that what we develop will strengthen the overall mission of GFM.

For personal requests, I would appreciate prayer that God would provide partners to support this work financially and that I would be able to balance this new job with the needs of my family. We are also in the middle of relocating to Madison from Chicago, so prayers for a smooth transition for all of us would be great.

What is your favorite book (all-time or at the moment)?

My all-time favorite since childhood is probably Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. A current favorite is Traveling Mercies by Ann Lamott.

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A mommy. I guess with four children, I've got that one covered. I also wanted to be a nurse or a pediatrician. I ended up being a pediatric occupational therapist, so I came pretty close there as well.

What was your favorite class in college? Which one did you like the least?

My favorite class was probably child development. I went on to teach it for many years at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

My least favorite was physics. I dropped the class as soon as I knew it was not required for my major!

What is your favorite thing to do in your "free" time?

I like spending time with friends in good conversation. I especially enjoy uninterrupted time with Craig (my great husband of twenty years!). If I only have brief free time, I like to lock myself in the bathroom with chocolate, bubble bath, and a good book. The running bath water usually drowns out the whining and fighting in the background.