Alumni
Stories from JDP alumni
Here are a few examples of what graduates have done with their careers:
- Rudolph P. Reyes II (2023) is Assistant Professor of Christian Ethics and Latinx Studies at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. His dissertation was "Divergence: Toward a Neurodivergent Latinx Liberative Social Ethic."ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Ìý - Shubham Sapkota (2023) is a research associate at the Crown Wellness Institute at CU Boulder and the Associate Editor for HIMALAYA, The Journal of the Association for Nepal and Himalayan Studies. His dissertation was "Seeing the Unseen: Bridging Realities of Experience Through Dependent Origination."ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Ìý - Shyamaa M. Creaven (2022) is a licensed professional counselor, a certified gestalt therapist, and a trauma specialist who delivers spiritually-integrated and inter-religious psychotherapy. Her dissertation title was "A Sense of Trust: Somatic Spiritual Practices as a Path to A Sense of Trust: Somatic Spiritual Practices as a Path to Wholeness in Spiritually Integrated Trauma Care."ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Ìý - Rode Molla (2021) is Assistant Professor, Berryman Family Chair for Children’s Spirituality and Nurture at Virginia Theological Seminary. Her dissertation was "Reframing Hegemonic and Fragmented Identities through Subjective In-Betweenness: A Postcolonial Political Theology of Care and Praxis in Ethiopia’s Era of Identity Politics."ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Ìý - April Mack (2020) is Assistant Professor of Religion and Social Justice and the Director of the Master of Social Justice and Ethics Program at Iliff School of Theology. Her dissertation was "Dialogical Offense: A Postcolonial Womanist Deconstruction of the Colonial Experience of African American Women Through U.S. Institutional Apparatus Known as Criminal Justice Policy."ÌýÌýÌý
Ìý - Joshua Bartholomew (2019) is Assistant Professor of Ethics, Church and Society at Saint Paul School of Theology. His dissertation was "Economic Liberation from the Margins: The Power of Racial Politics in Social Change."ÌýÌýÌýÌý
Ìý - John M. Bechtold (2018) is Professor at Quetzal Education Research Center, San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica. His dissertation was "Tragic Creation: Hope for the Future—Moltmann's Creative (Mis)Reading of Hegel's Philosophy."ÌýÌý
Ìý - Benjamin Sanders III (2018) is Chief Equity Officer, Mayor's Office of Social Equity and Innovation in the City of ºÚÁÏÃÅ. His dissertation was "'Traditioning' Blackness: A Theo-Ethical Analysis of Black Identity in Black Theological Discourse."Ìý
Ìý - Ryan Hall (2017) is Adjunct Faculty teaching Psychology at St. Petersburg College in St. Petersburg, Florida. Her dissertation was "'Maybe Jesus Was Suicidal Too': A Qualitative Inquiry Into Religion and Spirituality in Suicide Attempts."ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Ìý - Emily Kahm (2017), Teaching Fellow of Religion at Augustana College, researches the intersection of religious formation and sexuality education in Roman Catholic churches, with emphasis on the experiences of women and young adults.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Ìý - Hannah Ingram (December 2016) focused her PhD program on Religion and Psychology. ÌýShe recently became the Director of Religious Life and College Chaplain at Franklin College in Indiana.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Ìý - Zachary Moon (June 2016) is Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology and Care at the Chicago Theological Seminary where he combines his experience in chaplaincy with his education in pastoral care to teach classes on "Quaker Theology and Practice," "Identity, Power, and Difference," and "Impact of War on Pastoral Theology and Care." ÌýHe is the author ofÌýComing Home: Ministry that Matters with Veterans and Military Families.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Ìý - Elizabeth Coody (2015) is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa. She writes "It is my joy to teach undergraduates at a small liberal arts college."ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Ìý - Grace Chiou (June 2015) serves as Assistant Professor of Communication Arts at Gordon University where she teaches a range of classes, including those related to her area of doctoral study in cultural theory with a focus on religion and media.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Ìý - Eu Kit Lim (2015) teaches College Writing, History and Religious Studies at HELP University in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia, after writing his dissertation on "The Hybrid Spirit Animating Chinese Pentecostals in Malaysia."ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Ìý - James Murphy (2011) is an Associate Professor in History, Political Science, Philosophy, and Religion at South Dakota State University, College of Arts & Sciences. He received the College's Liberal Arts Award and delivered the Herbert Cheever Jr. Liberal Arts Lecture on January 16, 2018. He lectured on "Standing, Kneeling, Respecting, and Protesting: Liberal Arts Education and Clashes Over National Symbols."ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Ìý - Kelly Arora (2008) is Co-Director of the Master of Science in Palliative Care and Interprofessional Palliative Care Certificate Program.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Ìý - Elias Bongmba graduated from the program with an emphasis in Philosophy, Theology, and Cultural Studies. He is currently the Harry and Hazel Chavanne Chair in Christian Theology and Professor of Religion at Rice University. He served as President of the African Association for theÌýStudy of Religion from 2010-2015 and is currently Managing Editor ofÌýReligious Studies Review.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Ìý - Dan Clanton concentrated in biblical studies during his studies in the JDP. He is now Associate Professor in the Department of Religion and Philosophy at Doane College in Crete, Nebraska.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Ìý - Debbie Creamer’s particular area of interest is disability studies and theology. She taught for several years at Iliff School of Theology and served as Director of Iliff’s Taylor Library. She is currently Director of Accreditation and Institutional Evaluation at the Association of Theological Schools. In 2009, she publishedÌýDisability and Christian Theology: Embodied Limits and Constructive Possibilities.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Ìý - Tamara Cohen Eskenazi is Professor of Bible at Hebrew Union College/Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles, in addition to holding a rabbinical degree. Among her many publications, Dr. Eskenazi is co-editor with Andrea Weiss ofÌýThe Torah: A Women’s Commentary, for which she won the National Jewish Book of the Year Award in 2008.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Ìý - Jan Everhart received her PhD with an emphasis in biblical studies. She is currently Associate Professor of Religion and Chair of the Department at Simpson College in Indianolia, Iowa.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Ìý - Kwasi Kwakye-Nuako graduated from the program with a focus in religion and social change. He is currently Associate Professor of World Religions at Howard University Divinity School.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Ìý - Jeff Scholes’s (2009) area of specialization is political theology. He is currently Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.
If you are a JPD alum and would like to be featured on this list, please send your info to jointphd@iliff.edu.Ìý