Binns, Cynthia
Assistant to the Fund Development Department

E-mail: cbinns@etseminary.edu
Telephone: 313-831-5200 ext. 211

Cynthia joined the ETS family March 2010 as the Assistant to the Fund Development Department.

She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration which has fostered her administrative experience with several diverse industries that include petroleum distributions, non-profit organizations, and the marketing industry.

One of her passions includes seeing God’s kingdom manifested in this city, state, and nation through prayer and spreading the good news of Jesus Christ.

Hunter, Willie
Security and Maintenance 

E-mail: whunter@etseminary.edu
Telephone: 313-831-5200, ext. 214

Willie R. Hunter is native of Salem, Alabama who moved to Detroit in 1978. He began working for First Presbyterian Church of Detroit and Ecumenical Theological Seminary in 1991. Willie has welcomed hundreds of ETS students during his career at the Seminary. 

Willie was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award in 2010 for Twenty years of service at Ecumenical Theological Seminary.

Willie is married to Gwendolyn, they have four children and five grandchildren.

Johnson, Ronda J.
Director of Fund Development 

E-mail: rjjohnson@etseminary.edu
Telephone: 313-831-5200 ext. 203

Ronda brings to the new position of Registrar 30 years of experience in the not -for- profit sector. During these years Ronda held positions as Registrar at Edmondson College of Business and Branell Women’s College in Atlanta Georgia. Ronda also served in various development positions ranging from Director to Vice President for Development at The University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Texas Tech University, University of Cincinnati, Karmano’s Cancer Center, and Walsh College. Additionally, Ronda has served as consultant with several national fund-raising consulting firms including Douglas Lawson Associates, New York City, Cargill Associates, Fort Worth Texas, and Ketchum in Dallas Texas.

Ronda earned her BS degree at The University of Texas in Austin, Texas and her MBA at Houston Baptist University in Houston, Texas. Ronda moved to Michigan five years ago and resides in Troy. She is a member of First United Methodist Church of Birmingham and is active on several committees that include the Annual Giving Campaign and Spiritual Growth Committee. She was instrumental in the formation of a Contemplative Prayer Group at her church.

Maher, Cathy
Director of Annual Giving 

E-mail: cmaher@etseminary.edu
Telephone: 313-831-5200 ext. 210

After holding the position of Director of Annual Giving at ETS for 2 years, Cathy has transitioned into the Director of Development. She has non-profit fundraising experience from the Capuchin Ministries where she directed annual giving and special events, and political fundraising experience from both Butch Hollowell's and Marietta Robinson's campaigns. She worked as Marketing Director for Catholic elementary schools on Detroit's eastside and received a Bachelor Degree in Marketing from University of Phoenix. 

She says that this is a very exciting time in her career. It is an honor and privilege to be a part of ETS' mission for Detroit and its surrounding area. 

Mallett, Porsha
Finance Manager

E-mail: pmallett@etseminary.edu
Telephone: 313-831-5200, ext. 202

Porsha Mallett fills the position of Finance/Business Office Manager. She is the person to see for Tuition, Fees, Invoices, or any matter relating to Finance. Prior to joining ETS, Porsha was a staff member with the Ramona Henderson Pearson, CPA, PC Accounting and Finance firm for eight years. Porsha is the busy mother of 3 year old Paige while continuing her studies at Baker College. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Health Services Administration and Computer Information Systems.

Jean Derricotte-Murphy received her Doctor of Ministry degree from the Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit, Michigan in 2008. She earned the Bachelor of Arts in Education from Montclair State College (now University), and the Master of Theological Studies (Magna Cum Laude) from Drew Theological Seminary, both in New Jersey. Dr. Derricotte-Murphy was an educator in the Jersey City, New Jersey Public Schools for 25 years, as well as a professional singer. Upon retirement from the school system, she became a mentor to new teachers, assisting them in writing lesson plans and helping them to develop classroom management skills. With a little more time on her hands, she took the opportunity to enhance her musical skills and watched God provide opportunities for a second career to flourish. Becoming a touring opera singer who performed in places like Carnegie Hall and the New York City Opera, as well as performing in countries in Europe, Scandinavia, Asia, and Africa, was a pleasant way to enjoy retirement and continue to use her God given gifts and talents. It was during this time that she answered the call to ministry and career number three began.

In 2002, she and her husband relocated to Detroit believing that God has called them to this city. A member and Associate Minister of the New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Detroit, she is also the Director of Christian Education. Still using her musical gifts and talents, she was a member of the Brazeal Dennard Chorale, and occasionally performed with the Michigan Opera Theater. She is the daughter, granddaughter, and niece of Baptist pastors and ministers, and is the first female in this family legacy to be ordained into the ministry. She and her husband Terry have five grown children and 14 grandchildren who reside in New Jersey and Michigan. Proof that God does not recognize age or retirement she has embarked on her fourth career first becoming the Admissions and Recruitment Director and now serves as the Registrar at the Ecumenical Theological Seminary.

Officer, Lydia
Executive Assistant to the President and Event Coordinator

E-mail: lofficer@etseminary.edu
Telephone: 313-831-5200, ext. 209

Lydia Officer is the Executive Assistant to the President and the Event Coordinator. Prior to her arrival at ETS, she provided exemplary customer service to Atlanta’s cultural venues. After years of conventional work experiences she, “ran away” and joined the circus (UniverSoul Circus). Satisfying her restless spirit she returned to Atlanta and was offered employment with Georgia Power Company, where she remained until her relocation to Michigan in September of 2007.

While Lydia wears several hats at ETS she is excited to work in an environment where the WORD is taught and practiced every day. She hopes that her skills and experience will contribute to the strengthening of, “Many Traditions, One Spirit.”

Lydia is married to David Officer they have a blended family of five children and one granddaughter.

Pikka, Joshua
Library Assistant
BA(History) Northern Michigan Univesity
MLIS         Wayne State University

E-mail: jpikka@etseminary.edu
Telephone: 313-831-5200, ext. 222

Joshua was born in Ashland, Wi in November of 1986, but was raised in the small Upper Peninsula town of Wakefield, Mi. He graduated from Northern Michigan University with a B.A. in History in 2005. In 2009, he moved to the Detroit area to attend Wayne State University. He graduated from Wayne State with a Masters of Library Science Degree in 2011.

In January of 2011, Josh started working at ETS as a library intern. He was hired as an assistant later that year. He loves to work at ETS because he likes to help students find what they are looking for.

Priest, Margaret
Vice President of Administration & Student Financial Aid Administrator

E-mail: mpriest@etseminary.edu
Telephone: 313-831-5200, ext. 226

Margaret joined ETS as a volunteer Office Manager in December 2008 and joined the staff in January 2009. In August 2009, she was appointed Vice President of Administration. Margaret comes to ETS after completing 25 years in Automotive Operations Management. She has completed both the Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degree from Howard University. Margaret’s focus is Process Improvement/Continuous Improvement. You will notice miniature green frogs in Margaret’s office. That is a constant reminder to all who enter of the drive to make decisions which “leap frog” new processes over old processes to drive customer satisfaction!

Margaret is also the Student Financial Aid Administrator. To gain more information regarding the Federal Stafford Loan Direct Loan program, schedule an appointment with Margaret.

The Spirit of the Lord dwells in this place called Ecumenical Theological Seminary. May all who enter be bathed in that Spirit!

Barbara brings to the new position of Academic Administrative Assistant 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector. During these years Barbara held positions as Administrative Assistant to the Director of Marketing/POH Riley Foundation, and Patient Registrar in the Emergency Department at POH Regional Medical Center.

Barbara earned her Associate Degree at Wayne County Community College.

Barbara is looking forward to taking this spiritual journey here at ETS and doing great things.