Rev. Dr. Constance Banks Simon is a dedicated educator, theologian, researcher, and ministry leader whose career spans more than forty-five years in both educational and church settings. Throughout her life and ministry, she has remained committed to helping individuals grow in faith, knowledge, and service while advocating for justice, compassion, and truth.
Dr. Simon earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood Education and a Master of Education in Supervision and Curriculum from Miami University. At the age of thirty, she completed her first doctorate in Educational Administration and Supervision from Atlanta University. Responding to her call to ministry, she later earned a Master of Divinity from Ecumenical Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary, where she was honored as a Jeremiah A. Wright Scholar in African-Centered Religious Thought and Ministry.
Ordained in the United Church of Christ, Dr. Simon has served in several significant leadership positions. She previously served as Associate Conference Minister for the Detroit Metropolitan Association of the Michigan Conference, providing leadership and support to twenty-eight congregations. She currently serves as Minister of Christian Education at Fellowship Chapel, where she oversees ten ministries, including seven weekly Bible study opportunities and four major annual educational programs. She also teaches two weekly Bible study classes, serves on the Adult Sunday School teaching team, and facilitates the church’s weekly Sunday School stream.
Prior to her retirement from public education, Dr. Simon achieved a historic milestone as the first female African American Principal in the State of Michigan within the Michigan Department of Corrections educational system. She also served as an Educational Auditor for the Michigan prison system, providing oversight, assessment, and accountability for educational programs designed to improve learning outcomes and opportunities for incarcerated individuals.
Dr. Simon recently retired from Ecumenical Theological Seminary, where she served as Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program and Assistant Professor. Her teaching, research, and scholarship focused on Womanist Theology, Christian Education, Worship, Moral and Social Ethics, and leadership development. Her work continues to explore the intersection of Christ-centered faith and African-centered perspectives, helping congregations engage both scripture and contemporary life in meaningful ways.
Her broader academic career includes faculty and leadership appointments at Atlanta University, Jackson State University, and Tougaloo College, where she served as Division Chair overseeing five schools of education. Throughout her academic career, she has been actively engaged in research, curriculum development, mentoring, educational assessment, and leadership training, with a particular interest in faith formation, educational equity, Womanist Theology, and transformative ministry.
Beyond the classroom and the church, Dr. Simon is committed to community engagement and public scholarship. She serves on the advisory team for Detroit Public Television Black Church Initiative and the advisory team for the Faith in Detroit Initiative. She has appeared on American Black Journal, discussing issues affecting the church, education, women and the broader community.
Dr. Simon’s professional expertise includes research, curriculum development, leadership training, program implementation, program evaluation, educational auditing, assessment, strategic planning, and educational consulting across elementary, secondary, higher education, correctional education, and faith-based settings. Above all, she is passionate about nurturing spiritual growth, developing leaders, strengthening congregations, and helping individuals live out their faith with purpose, wisdom, and impact.
