The following identification of the strengths of the Urban CPE Consortium, Inc. (UCPEC) program has been drawn from the alumni surveys (2014 and 2016), the student program evaluations (both verbal and rating scale), reflections and discussions of the Education Committee, Board strategic planning conversations and surveys and Center practices.

STRENGTHS:

• A strong positive reputation in the community has been present for decades and remains
  
• The unique nature of program learning in the urban milieu with ministry practice within social agencies primarily serving the marginalized population
  
• The intentional Inclusion in the curriculum of assessing the impact of systems, cultural diversity, “isms” and spiritual dynamics in care with others
  
• Students awareness of their own complicity/complacency/privilege in systems as part of the intersectionality of their ministries and pastoral practice
  
• Excellent supervision and leadership of Supervisor Barbara Sheehan
  
• Focus on learning as a team and not individualistic
  
• Diversity of didactics and relationship to each other and work being done
  
• Programs are relationship oriented; entire program is relational in nature
  
• Positive site supervision at sites
  
• Solid theological connections and reflections on ministries
  
• Breadth of learning
  
• Has opened up vistas of what is “church” and a pastoral role to meet social concerns as a person of faith
  
• Supervisory students have good peer groups, “local” and sub-regional that enhance the low number for peer learning within Urban CPE Consortium
  
• The “name of the CPE game” is network, network, network – relationship, relationship, relationship
  
• Supervisory opportunities are beyond hospital settings and students get a greater in-depth awareness of social issues and pastoral responses
  
• Our specific program component and effectiveness evaluations (the latter a nuance of the ACPE, one to fit our specific goals and objectives) offer us ongoing evaluation and review of the effectiveness of our work with opportunities to enhance the quality of pastoral education
  
• Is a model for mutuality and collaborative networking and pastoral practices.   

I could not be more grateful for my UCPE experience. UCPE is a touchstone of my vocational journey and pastorally prepared me for an integrated sense of self in relationship with others and creation. With a covenant group committed to trust for growth and through skilled individual supervision, I was transformed by the learning process which required me to integrate my clinical experiences with professional and pastoral understanding. I was opened up to my heart's desire for ministerial service and empowered to utilize my skills authentically with joy.
-Urban CPE Alum

I am a PhD candidate at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, Ca. It is without any hesitancy that I state that CPE and, specifically, Urban CPE had a profound impact upon my life and career trajectory.  The Group reflection time became the primary avenue in which I was able to explore the ministerial work at my site. We spoke on race issues, LGBT issues, pastoral and theological issues, emotional issues, and our grief. It dawned on me how much of my life was shaped around grief that was resolved, unresolved, and in many cases never acknowledged.  I do not know if I would be thriving at a PhD program without the Urban CPE experience. I had previously decided that this would be one of the paths that my career would take. I am able to reflect back and say convincingly that because of my experience at CPE, the group that I had, and Sr. Barbara Sheehan my life has forever been changed. I found my "self,' friends, pastors, and supervisors to aid me on my journey as I grappled with issues beyond my comprehension. I was given space to cry that I did not allow myself to have previously. I believe that the person and theologian I am becoming lies deeply in that time at Urban CPE.
​-Urban CPE Alum