When business leaders, policymakers, and economists map out the future of our region, higher education is increasingly recognized as a strategic economic asset. 

Specialized institutions like Atlantic School of Theology (AST) show that economic resilience and human well-being truly go hand-in-hand.

The recent Atlantic Economic Panel (AEP) report, Bolder Ambitions: Greater Prosperity for All, positions Atlantic Canada’s post-secondary sector as a foundational driver of innovation, workforce alignment, and long-term regional growth. The report highlights that post-secondary institutions are essential talent pipelines—particularly as the region works to reverse recent international student enrollment declines and position Atlantic Canada as a safe, high-quality educational destination. 

“Atlantic Canada’s 16 universities are talent anchors, contributing significantly to the economic, social, and cultural well-being of Atlantic Canada and its people,” shared Ava Czapalay, CEO of the Association of Atlantic Universities and of CONSUP (the Council of Nova Scotia University Presidents). 

Czapalay added, “Atlantic universities provide students from Atlantic Canada and around the world with safe, diverse, and supportive environments that nurture and develop essential skills and experiences [needed] to contribute—as citizens, as volunteers, as entrepreneurs, [and] as employees to Atlantic Canada’s prosperity.” 

Specialized theological schools like AST may not always make it to the top of people’s minds when talking about economic growth, but according to Rev. Dr. Heather McCance, president of AST, the university has something unique to offer to Atlantic Canada’s economic and community resilience. 

“You know, [recently] we at AST heard Dr. David Deane (Academic Dean at AST) give a talk about Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, in which Leo seeks to emphasize the human needs and dignity of all God’s children. For me, that’s a really important thing to hold alongside the need for economic growth in Nova Scotia and across the Atlantic region that we serve.” 

AST’s ongoing dialogue with government leaders on economic impact draws from the insights of the Halo Project, demonstrating how faith-based institutions generate tangible community value.

“The Halo Project quantifies the economic impact of communities of faith in their communities and neighbourhoods through our work [of] providing pastoral care, spiritual care in health care and [the] military, and all the social services like food banks and clothing banks, and providing space to community groups like AA and Girl Guides. All of this provides both resources for community resilience and a tangible economic benefit.”

Dr. McCance pointed out that most people would agree that in the end, the point of a healthy economy isn’t an end unto itself.

“We want a healthy economy so that people can live good, meaningful, and healthy lives.”

“I truly appreciate that those behind the Halo Project have helped faith communities to be a part of this conversation, and I also want to emphasize that our work to support individuals and families because they are humans is truly important for its own value.”

As the AEP report calls on universities to serve as regional ‘talent anchors’ aligned with local needs, AST is actively equipping leaders, practitioners, and scholars to navigate the evolving social, ethical, and community challenges of Atlantic Canada today. 

“After 55 years of training leaders in faith communities in Atlantic Canada, one would honestly be hard-pressed to find a town, village, or neighbourhood in the region that hasn’t been touched by our graduates,” shared Dr. McCance.

“Atlantic Canadians are facing a swiftly changing world, new ethical questions posed by new technologies, and uncertainty about the future. AST’s ecumenical foundation means that all of our students learn to help people and communities walk into those challenges to listen to one another across differences and seek new solutions that will work for their own context.”

Read the Atlantic Economic Panel (AEP) report