Key animators during the early years: Fr. Richard Ver Bust, Director of the MTS program at SNC;
Rev. Dr. Wallace Ford, Executive Secretary of the NMCC; Fr. Joel Garner, O. Praem, Prior, Norbertine Community of NM; Rev. Dr. Philip Butin, Presbyterian committee member (Shepherd of the Valley Presbyterian Church)
Fr. Mike Demkovich, O.P., Roman Catholic committee member; Frances Vogel-Montano, Roman Catholic committee member; Rita Lucero, Secretary/Program Coordinator for the MTS-NM program

In the fall, Systematic Theology and Theological Method, taught by the Fr. Joseph Serano, O. Praem, is the first offering of the MTS program in NM.

Articles of Understanding (7-11-1997) are drawn up between EIM & NMCC. It denotes that policies, procedures, and planning of EIM are administered through a State Coordinating Committee, which meets at least four times annually. The State Coordinating Committee is organized into three standing committees: Faculty Committee, Curriculum Committee, and Graduate Studies Committee. The Graduate Studies Committee “oversees all aspects of the graduate program…including but not limited to budget, promotion and publicity, student admissions, financial aid, accreditation, library resources, faculty selection, course administration and evaluation, faculty payment, and student support and advisement.”

There is a greater focus on the MTS program and the Graduate Committee.

The MTS-NM program is approved by the North Central Association (NCA) accrediting board to become a program of St. Norbert College (SNC) at an additional site (Albuquerque, NM).

Dr. Howard Ebert, a teacher in the Religious Studies Department, is named Director of the St. Norbert College MTS Program.

In a letter dated Feb. 1, 2005, Fr. Joel Garner, O. Praem, proposes to SNC Academic Vice President Dr. Michael Marsden that SNC and EIM conduct a review of the partnership between the two, examining the scope of the partnership, expectations, and new directions, with the expectation that this be conducted annually. He refers to the ecumenical effort as “a pioneering effort.”

Dr. Kay Huggins becomes the Associate Director of the MTS program in NM. (Fr. Mike Demkovich, O.P., withdraws from involvement with EIM.)

An excerpt from the SNC Master of Theological Studies Program Review Spring 2008, says: “The MTS program, especially in Albuquerque, is intentionally ecumenical. In fact the initial requesting body was the Ecumenical Institute of Ministry (EIM) which was the educational arm of the New Mexico Conference of Churches (NMCC). While the results have been somewhat mixed in recruiting students from other mainline Christian Churches, both programs have moved toward more diverse religious representation among students and faculty.”

Dr. Lynn Bridgers becomes the Associate Director of the MTS-NM program. Discussions regarding a new structure for EIM begin, with three components: EED (Ecumenical Education for Discipleship); MTS (Master of Theological Studies); and Oversight and Development.

The new EIM structure has been ratified and is in place, with the following positions:
The Rev. Dr. Judith Todd - program coordinator for the EED Program
Dr. Lynn Bridgers - Associate Director for the MTS Program
Deacon Dr. Keith Davis - Oversight and Development (OD)
Abbot Joel Garner, O. Praem - Chairperson of the EIM Board of Directors

In August, Dr. Kay Huggins assumes the position of Interim Associate Director of MTS-NM.

In March, Dr. Kathy Dolan becomes the Associate Director for MTS-NM.

Deacon Keith Davis becomes the President (formerly called the Chairperson) of the EIM Board of Directors.

Jennifer Murphy-Dye is hired as the EIM Community Outreach Coordinator.

EIM renews its relationship with the New Mexico Conference of Churches, with an agreement to be the “educational arm” of the NMCC and partner with the NMCC in promoting congregational vitality.

In November, the MTS-NM program has new staff members, as Fr. Peter Muller, O.Praem, becomes the Associate Director and Kelsey Nielsen takes the position of Program Coordinator.