REV. KATIE RICKS
ASSISTANT DEAN FOR
STUDENT LIFE & FORMATION
Katie is a military brat who most often claims the Midwest as home because it is where she was born and where her family’s values were formed. She is a proud alumna of Columbia Theological Seminary and ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Katie enrolled at Columbia as an openly lesbian woman in 1998 – the year after the PC(USA) officially banned the ordination of LGBTQ persons. Katie came back to Columbia because she believes it is, in its very best moments, a community that seeks the Spirit’s guidance about who God is calling us to be at this point in time. At times, that is challenging, but always faithful.
This time around at Columbia, Katie is responsible for creating space for others to discern, claim, and live into the person God has created them to be. Specifically, she journeys with students as they discern their skills, gifts, and passions; she also assists students with the placement process upon graduation. When she isn’t at Columbia, you might find Katie swimming around the block at Agnes Scott where she recently began practicing with the Masters swim team. Outside of swimming, most of her time is spent living in a three-generation household with her mother, Janet, and daughter, Jordan, navigating the joys and challenges of living in community. If you ever find yourself in need of a dark chocolate fix, you might ask Katie for a recommendation. Her favorites are the darkest Swiss, German, or Belgian chocolates you can find. All gifts of dark chocolate are welcome!