Drs. Lori Scrementi and Trevor James MBA ’04, MA ’05 have spent the last 10 years helping degree-completion and graduate students achieve their academic goals. As leaders of North Park’s School of Professional Studies (SPS), they’ve expanded and strengthened its programming through flexible learning options.

Together, Scrementi, dean and professor, and James, associate dean and director of business and biblical studies programs, are committed to creating a supportive environment for students.

SPS offers six degree-completion programs, ranging from digital marketing to counseling psychology, and one graduate program in clinical mental health counseling.

The school’s uniqueness stems from its adaptability, allowing students to complete their degrees with asynchronous, accelerated, online courses. It also offers Credit for Prior Learning, through which degree-completion students earn credit for skills they learned outside a traditional academic environment.

Scrementi embraces the flexibility. “Our students are committed to their learning; they often have busy lives and need a program that will meet their individualized needs, which SPS provides,” she explained.

A range of services help SPS students succeed, including dedicated advisors, career development resources, and tutoring support. “My commitment to students is deeply tied to my calling as an educator. I believe student success involves more than mastering the material; it’s about personal transformation,” said James.

James, interim dean of institutional effectiveness, and Scrementi also jointly lead NPU’s upcoming Assurance Review for the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Their focus has been aligning NPU’s institutional assessment data with accreditation expectations, ensuring North Park effectively demonstrates its commitment to academic excellence, accurate representation of the university, and institutional effectiveness for the HLC assurance review and beyond.

Whether guiding students along their academic journey or helping shape NPU’s future, Scrementi and James’ teamwork and dedication are unwavering. “My goal is to help students not just cross the finish line but run across it—confident, prepared, and transformed by the experience,” said James.