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DALLAS (SMU) – With an eye toward re-imagining alumni engagement, Perkins School of Theology announces new responsibilities for staff members Tracy Anne Allred and Laura Figura.

In her new role, Allred becomes the Assistant Dean of Students, Alums, and Community Engagement. She will manage the ongoing development, implementation and evaluation of all engagement and relationship-building initiatives related to Perkins graduates.

“I look forward to broadening my work to include attention to members of our enthusiastic alum base, many of whom I have come to know in my 23 years at Perkins,” said Allred. “With this renewed attention to alum engagement, we seek to harness the support of our graduates toward building the Perkins of tomorrow and to share stories of their successes in ministry and leadership.”    

With her advancement, Figura becomes the Program Specialist for Students and Alums. She will provide increased support for communications, events, and initiatives with Perkins graduates. 

Previously, Allred served as Assistant Dean of Student Life and Director of Community Engagement; Figura was Coordinator of Student Life. Both will continue their work offering welcome, hospitality and care for the Perkins community of students, faculty, and staff in the Office of Student Life and Community Engagement.   

The added responsibilities coincide with a realignment of Perkins’ organizational structure. Before, alum engagement was held by the former Office of Public Affairs and Alumni/ae Relations. With the new structure, Perkins created the Office of Marketing and Communications, mirroring ºÚÁÏÀÏ˾»ú’s organizational structure. Allred and Figura will collaborate closely with Marketing and Communications to share more student and graduate stories and achievements to a broader audience through newsletters, social media, and other communications. Additionally, they will manage the Perkins Distinguished Alumni Award nomination and selection process as well as oversee the work of the Alumni Council.

Perkins School of Theology, founded in 1911, is one of five official University-related schools of theology of . Degree programs include the Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred Music, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Arts in Ministry, Master of Theology, Doctor of Ministry, and Doctor of Pastoral Music as well as the Ph.D., in cooperation with The Graduate Program in Religious Studies at SMU's Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences.