Union Presbyterian Seminary Appoints Rev. Dr. Heidi Biermann as Assistant Professor of New Testament

Union Presbyterian Seminary Appoints Rev. Dr. Heidi Biermann as Assistant Professor of New Testament

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Cory Schutter

(804) 278-4279

news@upsem.edu

RICHMOND, Va. — Union Presbyterian Seminary (UPSem) has appointed the Rev. Dr. Heidi Biermann as Assistant Professor of New Testament, beginning July 1, 2026.

An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and biblical scholar, Biermann brings to UPSem a strong commitment to teaching, scholarship, and the formation of leaders for the church and world. Her academic work and ministry experience reflect UPSem’s mission to prepare people to be leaders of gospel-inspired transformative change in pursuit of a more just and compassionate world.

Biermann earned a Doctor of Theology in New Testament from Duke Divinity School, a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, a Bachelor of Arts from Whitworth University, and an Associate of Arts from Spokane Falls Community College.

Her doctoral dissertation explores themes of age and inclusion in Luke’s Gospel and Acts, arguing that age diversity is central to Luke’s vision of the reign of God and should shape the life of the church today. Her research interests include New Testament interpretation, ecclesiology, and readings of Scripture attentive to diverse social locations.

“As a promising early-career scholar and Presbyterian minister, Rev. Dr. Biermann will undoubtedly help UPSem continue to deepen our commitments to pursuing excellence in scholarship and teaching in service to the church.” said the Rev. Dr. Daniel Ott, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean at Union Presbyterian Seminary. “The work that she is doing bringing an intergenerational lens to the reading of the New Testament is distinctive and offers great opportunities for faith communities to think about their intergenerational ministries. The search committee was taken with Dr. Biermann’s passion for teaching, heart for the church in the world, and genuine warmth.

Biermann has served congregations in Montana, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania and spent a year in Northern Ireland as a pastoral resident following seminary. She currently serves as West Central Community Connector for the Presbytery of the Inland Northwest, where she practices community development in a mixed-income neighborhood in Spokane, Washington. She also serves as adjunct faculty at Whitworth University.

Her appointment follows a national search for a New Testament scholar committed to excellence in teaching, scholarship, and equipping students as interpreters of Scripture for the life and mission of the church.

“I have admired Union Presbyterian Seminary for a long time, and I am thrilled to join in the work God is doing in this community as it equips leaders for the church and the world. I am so impressed by the scholarship, teaching, and proclamation that characterize Union’s life and mission, and I look forward to contributing to that work at such an exciting time of creativity and innovation,” Biermann said.

The position was designed to support UPSem’s commitment to rigorous and accessible theological education, preparing leaders equipped with hermeneutical, prophetic, and pastoral skills for ministry in a rapidly changing church and world.

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About Union Presbyterian Seminary

Union Presbyterian Seminary is a community that is bound by the love of God, and united in bold Christian service for the church in the world. With campuses in Richmond, Virginia, and Charlotte, North Carolina, the seminary has prepared leaders for ministry since 1812 through rigorous theological education that is scholarly, pastoral, and engaged with contemporary life. Offering a range of degree programs, Union is home to distinguished faculty, a historic campus with one of the nation’s finest theological libraries, and a vibrant community of worship, service, and fellowship. Graduates serve as pastors, educators, chaplains, mission workers, and scholars, carrying forward the seminary’s long tradition of equipping leaders for the church and the world. Learn more at upsem.edu.