Curriculum Vitae
Education
Degree: Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D)
Concentration: Major in Modern Religious History, Minor in Latin American and Caribbean History
Institution: Union Theological Seminary, New York, New York
Dissertation: The Más Allá at First Spanish-The People's Church: Religion, Spirituality, and the New York Young Lords
Degree Conferred: May 2021
Dissertation Committee:
Dr. Daisy Machado (Committee Chair, Union Theological Seminary, History)
Dr. Frank Guridy (Columbia University, History, African American/African Diaspora Studies)
Dr. Felipe Hinojosa (Texas A&M University: History)
Degree: Masters of Philosophy (M.Phil.)
Concentration: Major in Modern Religious History, Minor in Latin American and Caribbean History
Institution: Union Theological Seminary, New York, New York
Degree Conferred: September, 2019
Comprehensive Exam Topics:
Exam 1: Survey of North American Church and Religious History
Reader 1: Dr. Daisy L. Machado (History, Union Theological Seminary)
Reader 2: Dr. Julia Speller (History, Chicago Theological Seminary)
Exam 2: The Eugenics Movement: Religion, History, and Context
Reader 1: Dr. Daisy L. Machado (History, Union Theological Seminary)
Reader 2: Dr. Sarah Azaransky (Ethics, Union Theological Seminary)
Exam 3: Revolutions in Latin America: Toussaint L'Ouverture and Simón Bolívar
Reader 1: Dr. Daisy L. Machado (History, Union Theological Seminary)
Reader 2: Dr. Orlando Espín (Theology/Religious Studies, University of San Diego)
Exam 4: 'De un Pajáro Las Dos Alas': Cuba and Puerto Rico, 1850-1959
Reader 1: Dr. Frank A. Guridy (History, Columbia University)
Reader 2: Dr. Daisy L. Machado (History, Union Theological Seminary)
Degree: Masters of Arts (M.A.)
Concentration: Liberation Theologies
Institution: Union Theological Seminary, New York, New York
Thesis: Nationalism in the [Colonized] Diaspora: The Vision, Division, and Fall of The Young Lords Party
Degree Conferred: May 2016
Degree: Bachelors of Arts (B.A.), Summa Cum Laude
Concentration: Major in Biblical Studies, Minor in Social Thought
Institution: Gordon College, Wenham, Massachusetts
Thesis: n/a
Degree Conferred: May 2014
Degree: Non-Degree, Visiting Student
Concentration: Theology as Political (TH 957)
Institution: Boston College Graduate School of Theology, Boston, Massachusetts
Thesis: n/a
Degree Conferred: May 2013
Degree: International Baccalaureate Diploma
Concentration: n/a
Institution: Connecticut International Baccalaureate Academy, East Hartford, Connecticut
Thesis: n/a
Degree Conferred: May 2010
Fellowships, Scholarships, and Awards
FELLOWSHIPS:
Title: Louisville Institute Dissertation Fellowship
Date Received: 2020
Description: A national fellowship for PhD Candidates in religious studies and/or theological studies whose dissertation work rests at the intersections of religion and society and who show promise as emerging scholars and leaders.
Title: Hispanic Theological Initiative Dissertation Fellowship
Date Received: 2020
Description: A national fellowship for Latinx PhD Candidates in theological education who show promise as scholars and leaders.
Note: Fellowship was awarded but declined due to policies limiting the acceptance of multiple fellowships in a given academic year.
Title: Forum for Theological Exploration, Doctoral Fellowship for Students of Color
Date Received: 2018, 2019
Description: A national fellowship for doctoral students of color in theological education who show promise as bourgeoning leaders in the academy, religious organizations, and society at large.
Title: Forum for Theological Exploration Hearst Fellow
Date Received: 2018
Description: A named fellowship given to four of the thirty-two Forum for Theological Exploration Doctoral Fellows, named after William Randolph Hearst and conferred for added distinction.
Title: Hispanic Theological Initiative
Date Received: 2016
Description: A fellowship for Hispanic doctoral students of theology, religion, and adjacent fields that provides mentorship, networking opportunities, and professional development.
Title: Union Theological Seminary Doctoral Fellowship
Date Received: 2016-present
Description: A full tuition and stipend granting fellowship awarded to incoming Doctoral students at Union Theological Seminary, upon the recommendation of the President and Faculty.
SCHOLARSHIPS and GRANTS:
Title: Union Theological Seminary Travel Grant
Date Received: 2017
Description: A $500 grant designed to defer costs associated to presenting at academic conferences.
Title: Center for the Study of Latino/a Christianity and Religion Pre-Tenure Faculty and PhD Candidate Seminar
Date Received: 2017
Description: A travel, room, and board scholarship for a multi-day workshop on pedagogy, curriculum development, and assessment strategies, hosted by Southern Methodist University's Center for the Study of Latino/a Christianity and Religion.
Title: Presidential Scholarship
Date Received: 2014
Description: A full tuition, room and board, and stipend granting scholarship awarded to incoming Masters candidates at Union Theological Seminary based on academic excellence and leadership ability.
Title: Clarendon Scholarship
Date Received: 2010
Description: A full tuition scholarship to Gordon College (MA) awarded to students from urban areas in New York City, Connecticut, and Massachusetts based on leadership potential, intellectual aptitude, and spiritual maturity.
AWARDS and HONORS SOCIETIES:
Title: The Charles Augustus Briggs Award
Date Received: 2020
Description: The highest award granted to a graduate of Union Theological Seminary who "demonstrates the qualities of conscience, commitment, and courage illustrated by excellence in scholarship and the commitment to social justice and freedom of inquiry."
Title: The Hitchcock Prize in Church History
Date Received: 2016
Description: A prize granted by Union Theological Seminary that honors the memory of Roswell Dwight Hitchcock, the Seminary’s first Washburn Professor of Church History (1855-1887) and fourth president (1880-1887). It is given to a senior who has attained the highest excellence, both in class work and the thesis, in church history or a kindred subject.
Title: Honoree: Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges
Date Received: 2014
Description: Who’s Who Among Students is one of the most long-standing honors programs in the nation which inducts honorees based on academic achievement, community service, leadership, and recommendation of faculty and administrators from the nominating institution.
Title: Collegian of the Year
Date Received: 2014
Description: Gordon College’s (MA) highest award given to the single student who made the greatest impact at the college during their tenure.
Title: Phi Alpha Chi
Date Received: 2014
Description: An honors society of Gordon College (MA) which admits graduating seniors who have a cumulative GPA of 3.8 or higher, embody Christian character, and show promise to pursue a life of excellence and scholarship.
Title: Gordon College (MA) Presidential Honors
Date Received: 2010-2014
Description: An honor bestowed on students each semester they are able to achieve a GPA of 3.75 or higher while enrolled as a full-time student.
Title: Faculty Scholarship: Humanities
Date Received: 2013
Description: An award given to a Junior at Gordon College (MA) who has demonstrated academic excellence in their specific field as determined by the faculty.
Title: Luke A. and Mary Moore Wood Memorial Scholarship
Date Received: 2013
Description: An award at Gordon College (MA) given to student leaders who demonstrate high academic achievement and leadership potential in their respective field.
Title: Presidential Fellow at Gordon College
Date Received: 2013
Description: A leadership development program based off the White House Fellowship where eight student leaders work directly under one of the various Executive Cabinet Officers of Gordon College (MA).
Title: Elijah Project Honors Program
Date Received: 2013
Description: A year and a half long honors program at Gordon College (MA) in which a fourteen student cohort explores topics of calling, work, and vocation through internships, classes, and community living.
Title: Award of Excellence: Head Start Families
Date Received: 2012
Description: An award given yearly by the National Head Start Association to a family in the United States whose lives and work have demonstrated the impact of a Head Start education.
Title: Jerusalem and Athens Honors Forum
Date Received: 2012
Description: A year long great books honors programs at Gordon College (MA) exploring Western intellectual history from Plato and Aristotle to Huxley and Volf through lectures, seminar style discussions, field trips, and public debates.
Title: Kenneth L. Pike Scholar
Date Received: 2012
Description: An honors society for students of high academic standing who wish to design their own major, minor or concentration in a field not offered at Gordon College (MA).
Academic Publications and Presentations
PEER REVIEWED JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS:
Title: "The Neoliberal Co-Optation of Identity Politics: Geo-Political Situatedness as a Decolonial Discussion Partner"
Author(s): Jorge Juan Rodríguez V
Publication: Horizontes Decoloniales / Decolonial Horizons (Pluto Press) Vol. 5 (2019): 101-130.
Title: "Spiritual Care Education and Rural Systems in Swan River"
Author(s): Janel Curry, Margaret McCallum, and Jorge Juan Rodríguez V
Publication: Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling 70(1) (2015): 53-62.
BOOK PREFACES, CHAPTERS, AND AFTERWARDS:
Title: "Puerto Rican Backpacks and Living Room Dreams"
Author(s): Jorge Juan Rodríguez V
Publication: Preface to Prophesy Freedom: A Puerto Rican Decolonial Theology by Teresa Delgado. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan. 2019.
BOOK REVIEWS:
Title: "Review of Nobody Cries When We Die: God, Community, and Surviving to Adulthood by Patrick B. Reyes (Chalic Press, 2016)."
Author(s): Jorge Juan Rodríguez V
Publication: Perspectivas Journal 15 (2018),
Title: “Review of Evangelical Postcolonial Conversations: Global Awakenings in Theology and Praxis edited by Kay Higuera Smith, Jayachitra Lalitha, and L. Daniel Hawk (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2014).”
Author(s): Jorge Juan Rodríguez V
Publication: Africanus Journal 8(1) (2016): 52-53.
ACADEMIC CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS:
Title: Liberating Academics: Redefining our Scholarly Vocation through a Liberationist Lens
Conference: American Catholic Historical Association, Relationship and Accountability in Catholic Studies
Location: New York, New York
Date: January 4, 2019
Title: A Religious History of the First People's Church Offensive
Conference: American Historical Association, The People's Church!: A 50th Anniversary Roundtable on the Young Lord's Occupation of the First Spanish Methodist Church in NYC (Session Chair)
Location: New York, New York
Date: January 4, 2019
Title: Purified through Fire and Occupation: Lived Religion, The Latinx Diaspora, and the New York Young Lords First People's Church Offensive
Conference: Graduate Student Symposium, Puerto Rican Studies Association Conference
Location: University of Texas, Austin, Austin, Texas
Date: October 25, 2019
Title: "The Liberated Zone is Here": Lived Theologizing in the New York Young Lords First People's Church Offensive
Conference: Latinx Literary Theory and Criticism Conference
Location: John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, New York
When: April 27, 2019
Title: Race, Gender, and Lived Religion in the Puerto Rican Diaspora: The Religio-Politics of the New York Young
Lords in their First People’s Church Offensive
Conference: 2018 International Ph.D. Seminar: “Exploring Contexts of Gender, Politics and Race in Theology and Religion”
Location: University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
When: October 29, 2018
Title: Theologizing at the People’s Church: The Religio-Politics of the Young Lords Party in the Puerto Rican Diaspora
Conference: Politics of Movement: Racialization, Religion, Migration
Location: Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
When: April 5-6, 2018
Title: Creating Puerto Rican Subalterns: The Protestant Missionary Project of the Late Nineteenth Century
Conference: American Academy of Religion, Annual Meeting. History of Christianity Unit, New Histories of Americano Protestantisms: Hegemons and Subalterns.
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Date: November 18, 2017
Title: The Neoliberal Co-Optation of “Identity Politics”: Geo-Political Situatedness as a Decolonial Discussion Partner
Conference: American Academy of Religion, Annual Meeting. Liberation Theology Unit, Liberating Identities.
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Date: November 18, 2017
Title: The Gospel of Colonization: The U.S. Colonization of Puerto Rico as a Protestant Missionary Project
Conference: LACS Graduate Student Conference, Creative Revolution(s): Combating Hatred with Justice Across the Americas.
Location: University of Albany, Albany, New York
Date: March 4, 2017
Title: Espíritu y Metodología: Pentecostalism’s Tacit Subversion vis-à-vis Liberation Theology’s Intentional Subversion as expressed in their Contextual Responses to Hegemonic Religiosity.
Conference: Religious Diversity: Conflict, Cooperation, and Creolization.
Location: Boston University School of Theology, Boston, Massachusetts
Date: November 14, 2015
Title: The Hermeneutic of Hegemony: The Conflation of Faith and Ideology and the Perpetuation of United States Slavery
Conference: Tenth Biennial Conference in Philosophy, Religion and Culture (Paper Tabled)
Location: Catholic Institute of Sydney for Theology and Ministry, Sydney, Australia,
Date: October 4, 2014
Title: Habituating towards the Transcendent Eudamonia: A Synthesis of Plato and Aristotle’s Understanding of the Good
Conference: 3rd Annual Michigan State University Undergraduate Philosophy Conference
Location: Michigan State University. Lansing, Michigan
Date: March 16, 2013
Speaking Engagements and Interviews
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Title: Purified through Fire and Occupation: Lived Religion and the New York Young Lords
Event: Invited Lecture
Location: Amherst College, Department of Religion Studies, Amherst, MA
When: December 4, 2019
Title: The Liberated Zone is Here: Lived Religion, Latinx Spirituality, and Latinx Activism
Event: Invited Lecture
Location: University of Texas, Austin, Department of Mexican American and Latina/o Studies, Austin, TX
When: October, 25, 2019
Title: The Neoliberal Co-Optation of Identity Politics
Event: Invited Lecture, Religious Diversity in Latinx Communities, Hispanic Summer Program
Location: Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio, TX
Date: June 21, 2019
Title: Discerning a Doctorate: Considerations for Latinx Students
Event: Hispanic Summer Program
Location: Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio, TX
Date: June 20, 2019
Title: Considerations for Applying to a Ph.D.
Event: "Considering Applying for a Ph.D. Program" Panel Discussion
Location: Union Theological Seminary, New York, NY
When: November 7, 2018
Title: Six Theses on Latinxs in Higher Education
Event: Encuentro 2018: Hispanic Youth Leadership Academy
Location: Boston University, School of Theology, Boston, MA
When: July 19, 2018
Title: Identity, Hope, and Suffering in Puerto Rico and Beyond: Latinx Communities Claiming Freedom (Panelist)
Event: Special Event
Location: Union Theological Seminary, New York, NY
When: April 4, 2018
Title: Puerto Rico and Maria: Histories and Vulnerabilities in the Eye of the Storm (Respondent)
Event: Special Panel with MT Davila, Teresa Delgado, Loida Martell-Otero, Jean-Pierre Ruiz, Melissa Pagán, Yara Gonzalez, and Jules Martínez-Olivieri. American Academy of Religion, Annual Meeting.
Location: Boston, MA.
Date: November 19, 2017
Title: "Almost Like Praying:" A Decolonial Analysis
Event: Decolonial Theory and Religion Unit. American Academy of Religion, Annual Meeting.
Location: Boston, MA.
Date: November 19, 2017
Title: Varieties of Protest Experiences in the Age of Trump: Religious Studies and Direct Action in Charlottesville, St. Louis, and the NFL (Panelist)
Event: Special Panel with Shreena Gandhi, Jalane D. Schmidt, Willis Jenkins, Janet Spittler, Michelle Gonzalez Maldonado, and Anthea Butler. American Academy of Religion, Annual Meeting.
Location: Boston, MA.
Date: November 18, 2017
Title: Stories of Our Mothers: Leadership Development from the Global South
Event: Forum for Theological Exploration Youth Discernment Retreat, Workshop.
Location: Los Angeles, California
Date: September 8, 2017
Title: Black and Brown Dialogue in the Age of Trump
Event: Raices Latinas, Panel.
Location: Boston University School of Theology, Boston, Massachusetts
Date: August 2, 2017
Title: Protestants, Puerto Rico, and Broken PROMESAS
Event: Race and Religion Series, Lecture.
Location: Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, New York, New York
Date: February 27, 2017
Title: To Drink From Our Own Wells
Event: UTS at COTH Series, Sermon.
Location: Church of the Living Hope, New York, New York
Date: January 22, 2017
Title: Angels in a Disenchanted World
Event: Ready Set Teach: Chicago Public Schools Conference, Educator Keynote.
Location: McCormick Place. Chicago, Illinois
Date: August 4, 2016
Title: Choice out of No Choice: The Young Lords, Sterilization, and Puerto Rico
Event: “Gender Today” and “Social Movements and Sociology,” Special Lectures.
Location: Gordon College, Wenham, Massachusetts
Date: March 28-29, 2016
Title: Diasporiqueño: Puerto Rican Identity in the United States Diaspora
Event: “Cross Cultural Experience: The Caribbean,” Presenter.
Location: Boston Trinity Academy. Boston, Massachusetts
Date: January 22, 2016
Title: Affordable Housing and Holistic Community: The Importance of a Stable Home
Event: “Strong Frameworks, Caring Communities,” Harborlight Community Partners Annual Gala, Keynote.
Location: Kernwood Country Club. Salem, Massachusetts
Date: November 6, 2015
Title: Why Are We Here?: Our Base, Our Story, Our Future
Event: “All About That Base,” Department of Family and Supportive Services First Annual Parent Conference, Keynote.
Location: McCormick Place. Chicago, Illinois
Date: August 29, 2015
Title: PICA, Mission, and The Itsy Bitsy Spider
Event: “Transformation University,” 2015 Staff Training, Workshop Presentation.
Location: Parents in Community Action, Inc. Minneapolis, Minnesota
Date: August 24, 2015
Title: The Spring Board to Transformation is “All About That Base”
Event: “Transformation University,” 2015 Staff Training, Keynote.
Location: Parents in Community Action, Inc. Minneapolis, Minnesota
Date: August 24, 2015
Title: Redefining Success: From Student to Scholar/Activist
Event: Connections, Keynote.
Location: Connecticut International Baccalaureate Academy, East Hartford, Connecticut
Date: April 17, 2015
Title: Why Are We Here?: Theological Imagination and Head Start’s Prophetic Mission
Event: 2015 NHSA Scholarship and Awards Ceremony, Keynote.
Location: National Head Start Association, Washington, D.C.
Date: March 30, 2015
Title: Liberation Theology and Intersectional Supremacy: History, Description, and Prophecy
Event: “Sociology of Gender,” Special Lecture.
Location: Gordon College, Wenham, Massachusetts
Date: March 19, 2015
Title: The God of Relevance: Liberation Theology and Social Movement
Event: “Sociology and Social Movements,” Special Lecture.
Location: Gordon College, Wenham, Massachusetts
Date: March 19, 2015
Title: Teaching for Economic, Racial, and Social Justice
Event: The Brandon Johnson Show, Guest Speaker.
Location: WVON 1690am Radio, Chicago, Illinois
Date: December 28, 2014
Title: Arriving at Union: My Story
Event: Trustee Dinner, Presenter.
Location: Union Theological Seminary, New York, New York
Date: October 20, 2014
Title: Diversity, Inclusion, and Leadership
Event: Presented with members of Gordon College’s Center for Student Development, Lead Conference 2014
Location: Brookwoods, Alton, New Hampshire
Date: April 26, 2014
Title: Multicolored in Her Image: Diversity at Gordon College
Event: Symposium 2014, Presenter.
Location: Gordon College, Wenham, Massachusetts
Date: April 10, 2014
Title: First Gen. Latinos: Migration, Family, and College
Event: Special Lecture.
Location: Fresno Pacific University, Fresno, California
Date: March 6, 2014
Title: Pauline Literature from a Liberationist Perspective
Event: Special Lecture.
Location: Fresno Pacific University, Fresno, California
Date: March 5, 2014
Title: Honors Programs at Gordon College
Event: Accepted Students Day 2014, Presenter.
Location: Gordon College, Wenham, Massachusetts
Date: February 17, 2014
Title: Diversity at Protestant Colleges: Gordon College as a Test Case
Event: Beyond Colorblind Week, Special Lecture.
Location: Gordon College. Wenham, Massachusetts
Date: February 1, 2013; Also presented as a Special Lecture at Gordon College on December 7, 2012
Title: The Importance of Early Education: My Story with Head Start
Event: 2012 National Head Start Association Conference, Presenter.
Location: Gaylord Texan. Grapevine, Texas
Date: December 2, 2012
Title: The Practicality of Wisdom
Event: Chapel, Keynote.
Location: Gordon College, Wenham, Massachusetts
Date: October 17, 2012
Title: Reporte de Guatemala
Event: Worship Service, Keynote.
Location: Templo Bautista Hispano Monte Horeb, East Hartford, Connecticut
Date: August, 19, 2012
INTERVIEWS:
Title: Walls, Eugenics, and the National Emergency
Program/Publication: WORT 89.9 FM, Madison
Date: February 15, 2019
Title: “Jorge Juan Rodriguez V Wins Forum for Theological Exploration Doctoral Fellowship”
Program/Publication: Union Theological Seminary
Date: May 9, 2018
Title: "Puerto Rico's New Colonialism"
Program/Publication: BloggingHeads.tv (link)
Date: November 6, 2017
Title: “Country’s Flagship Preschool Program, Head Start, Celebrates 50 Years”
Program/Publication: WNPR
Date: July 20, 2015
Contributions to Online Publications
Title: The Last Time the US Wanted a Wall, 70,000 People Were Sterilized
Publication: TruthOut
Date: February, 2019
Link:
Title: From 1937 to 2018: The Militarized Suppression of Protest in Puerto Rico
Publication: Latino Rebels
Date: May, 2018
Link:
Title: Heretics Against the God Named Empire – Puerto Rico, Hurricane Maria, and Trump
Publication: Political Theology Today
Date: October, 2017
Link:
Title: Paternalism Towards Puerto Rico Isn’t a ‘Trump Problem,’ It’s a Colonial One
Publication: Latino Rebels
Date: October, 2017
Link:
Title: Abstention: The Most Compelling Vote in Plebiscito 2017
Publication: Latino Rebels
Date: June, 2017
Link:
Title: The Colonial Gospel in Puerto Rico: Protestant Missionaries as Agents of Empire
Publication: Christian Century
Date: January, 2017
Link:
Title: Writing with the Oppressed. Book Review: The New York Young Lords and the Struggle for Liberation
Publication: La Respuesta
Date: February, 2016
Link:
Title: Reclaiming Holy Week through Revolutionary Resurrection
Publication: Pub Theologian
Date: April, 2015
Link:
Title: This is What Theology Looks Like’: Disrupting a Crucifying System
Publication: Religion Dispatches
Date: December, 2014
Link:
Title: Jorge Juan Rodriguez V on Head Start and the Power of Graduation
Publication: National Head Start Association
Date: July, 2014
Link:
Title: Double Bind and Cheap Grace (Part 1)
Publication: By Their Strange Fruit
Date: July, 2014
Link:
Title: Double Bind and Cheap Grace (Part 2)
Publication: By Their Strange Fruit
Date: July, 2014
Link:
Title: 20 Years After President Clinton Expanded Head Start, This is My Story
Publication: The Clinton Foundation
Date: May, 2014
Link:
Title: Revitalizing Religion: A Theological Assessment of the Margaret Doughty Case
Publication: Shared Justice
Date: June, 2013
Link: sharedjustice.org/revitalizing_religion_a_theological_assessment_of_the_margaret_doughty_case
Title: The Power of Humanity: Reflections on the Boston Marathon Bombings
Publication: Shared Justice
Date: April, 2013
Link: sharedjustice.org/the_power_of_humanity_reflections_on_the_boston_marathon_bombings
Title: What will Characterize America in 2013?
Publication: Shared Justice
Date: January, 2013
Link: sharedjustice.org/2013/01/10/what-will-characterize-america-in-2013/
Title: Testimonial
Publication: National Head Start Association: 27 Million Windows
Date: May, 2012
Link:
Experience
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Course: History and Memory
Role: Teaching Fellow
Institution: Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, New York
Date: Spring, 2020
Course: CH 307: Eugenics, Race, Gender, and Nation: A Brief History
Role: Teaching Fellow
Institution: Union Theological Seminary, New York, New York
Date: Fall, 2019
Course: CH 109: History of Christianity since the Reformation
Role: Teaching Fellow
Institution: Union Theological Seminary
Date: Fall, 2019
Course: CH 333, Religious Movements from the Margins: The Prosperity Gospel in the United States and Global South
Role: Teaching Fellow
Institution: Union Theological Seminary, New York, New York
Date: Fall, 2018
Course: CH 109, History of Christianity since the Reformation
Role: Teaching Fellow
Institution: Union Theological Seminary, New York, New York
Date: Fall, 2018
Course: History and Spirituality of the First Sanctuary Movement (ca. 1980-1990)
Role: Guest Teacher to Dr. Rady Roldán-Figueroa
Institution: Hispanic Summer Program 2018, Perkins School of Theology at SMU, Dallas, Texas
Date: Summer 2018
Course: CH 254, The U.S. Borderlands: Theology and Context
Role: Teaching Fellow
Institution: Union Theological Seminary, New York, New York
Date: Summer, 2018
Course: CH 249, The U.S. Latino Experience: Borderlands, History, and Religion
Role: Teaching Fellow
Institution: Union Theological Seminary, New York, New York
Date: Spring, 2018
Course: CH 109, History of Christianity since the Reformation
Role: Teaching Fellow
Institution: Union Theological Seminary, New York, New York
Date: Fall, 2017
Course: Biblical Hermeneutics
Role: Teaching Assistant
Institution: Gordon College, Wenham, Massachusetts
Date: Spring, 2013
Course: The Great Conversation
Role: Peer Mentor
Institution: Gordon College, Wenham, Massachusetts
Date: Fall, 2012
RELATED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Title: Associate Director for Strategic Programming
Institution: Hispanic Summer Program
Location: New York, New York
Dates: 8/20 - Present
Description: Develop and implement new programming including, but not limited to, Regional Workshops for Latinx community members, Trainings on Administration and Fundraising for Latinx leaders, Gatherings on Pedagogy for Latinx Professors. Oversee marketing and social media campaigns. Analyze funding sources. Draft grant proposals. Strategize with the HSP team on Development and Fundraising Campaigns. Develop strategic initiatives for institutional growth and sustainability.
In 2020 the Hispanic Summer Program received a $1.8 Million from the Lilly Endowment. Jorge served as the principal grant writer in this Initiative. You can read more at the Hispanic Summer Program's Official Website.
Title: Social Media and Events Coordinator
Institution: Hispanic Summer Program
Location: New York, New York
Dates: 12/15 – 8/20
Description: Manage Twitter, Facebook, and Wordpress accounts for the Hispanic Summer Program (HSP). Connect HSP students and scholars through the use of social media. Contact scholars who can write for the HSP blog. Organize and edit scholarly articles to be published and publicized through HSP media. Advise HSP leadership in program development and implementation. Organize and execute events leading up to and during HSP including annual lecture. Coordinate travel and housing arrangements for keynote speakers. Assist with grant writing and grant implementation.
Title: Personal and Research Assistant
Institution: Union Theological Seminary- Office of Dr. Daisy Machado
Location: New York, New York
Dates: 12/14 – 8/20
Description: Communicate with publishers regarding Machado’s forthcoming publications. Edit Machado’s written work, including bibliographic information. Research scholarly works on “Prosperity Gospel” and “Heterotopics.” Organize and maintain Machado’s academic library. Assist in organizing study trips—including a biennial seminar at the U.S.-Mexico Border.
Title: Program Assistant to Nightwatch
Institution: Cathedral of Saint John the Divine
Location: New York, New York
Dates: 12/16 – 5/19
Description: Create and teach lessons on Interreligious and Christian theology for youth and adults. Facilitate community building activities. Lead spiritual exercises and prayers.
Title: Latinx Recruitment Consultant
Institution: Union Theological Seminary
Location: New York, New York
Dates: 05/16 - 08/16
Description: Researched potential partners for Latinx recruitment in City University of New York and Consortium of Christian Colleges and Universities identified schools. Coordinated cross-country meetings with prospective students and "influencers" (individuals who advise and mentor students, Latinx or otherwise). Assessed Union Theological Seminary's history of Latinx recruitment and retention. Met with administrators at Union to address broader institutional realities that mitigate Latinx recruitment and retention. Created a "Latinx Recruitment Plan" that provided one year, two to five year, and five or more year benchmarks for Latinx recruitment and retention across institutional departments.
Title: Graduate Research Assistant
Institution: Iona College- Office of Dr. Teresa Delgado
Location: New York, New York
Dates: 01/16-07/16
Description: Researched Puerto Rican history, diaspora literature, and de/post/colonial theory for Delgado's book entitled "Prophesy Freedom: Toward a Puerto Rican Decolonial Theology." Edited the book manuscript for grammar, structure, and content. Wrote the book’s preface. Communicated with publishers regarding potential book contracts. Assisted in creating the book proposal. Compiled the work’s bibliography.
Title: Community Research Associate
Institution: Harborlight Community Partners
Location: Beverly, Massachusetts
Dates: 05/15 – 06/16
Description: Developed and oversaw the implementation of the organization's Community Investment Plan (CIP). Organized residents in order to create a “Resident Advisory Council.” Developed a Board of Directors Diversity Membership Plan. Analyzed and assessed Local Capital Usage. Developed and implemented mechanisms for municipal education and assistance relative to affordable housing. Researched North Shore municipal data including demographics, budgets, and use of Community Preservation Act funds. Translated written housing advertisements from English to Spanish and coordinated translation into Portuguese.
From September 2015 to June 2016, work was on a project-to-project basis.
Title: Co-Chair
Institution: Latinx Student Caucus
Location: New York, New York
Dates: 06/15 – 5/16
Description: Organized events at Union Theological Seminary on Latinx realities at Union and the United States. Organized events specifically for Union’s Latinx students. Managed Social Media platforms for the Latinx Caucus, including Twitter and Facebook. Met with institutional Administrators to promote issues pertinent to Latinx students, faculty, and staff. Assisted student and administrative initiatives at Union Theological Seminary that promoted Latinx curricula, retention, recruitment, representation, and inclusion.
Title: Academic Assistant
Institution: Union Theological Seminary- Office of Dr. Samuel Cruz
Location: New York, New York
Dates: 08/15 – 12/15
Description: Compiled and organized attendance for Cruz’s courses. Assisted in creating, formatting, and setting up multi-media presentations for classroom settings. Publicized Cruz’s interviews, public events, and speaking engagements on social media including Twitter and Facebook.
Title: Social Media Intern
Institution: Hispanic Summer Program
Location: New York, New York
Dates: 12/14 – 12/15
Description: Managed Twitter, Facebook, and Wordpress accounts for the Hispanic Summer Program (HSP). Articulated a philosophy for social media management. Connected HSP students and scholars through social media. Contacted scholars to write blog posts for the HSP blog.
Title: First Year Representative
Institution: Mestizaje: Latina and Latino Caucus
Location: New York, New York
Dates: 08/14 – 06/15
Description: Represented first year Latina and Latino students of Union Theological Seminary in student caucus meetings. Organized and facilitated events promoting Latina/o identity, culture, and scholarship at Union. Managed Twitter and Facebook pages for the group and began developing a blog to promote Latina/o culture and scholarship. Developed a philosophy for social media management and caucus organizational structure.
Title: Research Assistant
Institution: Gordon College- Office of the Provost
Location: Wenham, Massachusetts
Dates: 05/14- 08/14
Description: Researched the topics of spiritual care, palliative care, multicultural engagement, and rural culture and geography. Analyzed subjective data from a base community in Manitoba, Canada, developing a tool for analysis therein. Drafted an article (Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling) regarding this community relative to spiritual and palliative care. Publicized the Provost’s work on Twitter and Facebook.
Title: Presidential Fellow
Institution: Gordon College- Office of the Provost
Location: Wenham, Massachusetts
Dates: 05/13 – 05/14
Description: Implemented a systems approach to analyze Gordon College’s history of racial and ethnic diversity from 2004 to 2014 as related to recruitment and retention, institutional initiatives, and curricula. Organized, coordinated, and oversaw an External Task Force on Racial and Ethnic Diversity Gordon College. Compiled and edited the recommendations, best practices, and benchmarks suggested by the External Task Force. Developed strategies for the recruitment of under-represented students, faculty, and staff. Recruited under-represented faculty and students. Assisted in diversifying class syllabi across various disciplines. Interviewed candidates for the Clarendon Scholar Director position. Researched programs as assigned by the Provost.
Title: Founder and Class Coordinator
Institution: Clarendon Scholars Big Brother, Big Sister
Location: Wenham, Massachusetts
Dates: 08/12 – 09/13
Description: Organized mentor/mentee relationships between upperclassmen and underclassmen Clarendon Scholars. Provided assistance, guidance, and resources to mentors. Coordinating events for the Clarendon Scholars Program. Mentored underclassmen Clarendon Scholar.
Title: Intern
Institution: Center for Public Justice
Location: Washington, D.C.
Dates: 05/13 - 08/13
Description: Assisted in the development of the Christians Investing in Public Education Initiative based in Pittsburgh, PA. Researched, wrote, and critiqued different conceptions of Political Theology, especially the Reformed Principled Pluralist perspective. Augmented the Center’s web presence by managing Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, and LinkedIn accounts. Served as Copy Editor for Shared Justice (A publication for young adults on Faith and Politics). Assisted in the hiring of a new Director of Communications and Development. Represented the Center at various functions across Washington, D.C.
Title: Undergraduate Research Council- Co-Founder and Member
Institution: Gordon College Student Association
Location: Wenham, Massachusetts
Dates: 05/11 - 01/13
Description: Developed program by-laws and funding structure. Reviewed student applications seeking research and conference funding. Coordinated advertising efforts for the program. Managed the Council’s $20,000 budget.
Title: Intern to the Clarendon Scholars Program
Institution: Gordon College Admissions
Location: Wenham, Massachusetts
Dates: 8/11 - 12/12
Description: Connected with prospective students, parents, and churches over phone, e-mail, and social media. Organized and facilitated application and financial aid information sessions, held at various locations in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York City. Created literature detailing the Clarendon Scholars Program. Analyzed statistical data on prospective students.
Title: Intern
Institution: AGAPE (Asociación Guatemalteca Aérea Para Edificación)
Location: Guatemala City, Guatemala
Dates: 05/12 - 08/12
Description: Taught Theology, Philosophy, and Leadership Development in churches, schools, and community centers in El Quiche, Petén, and Guatemala City. Assisted in community development initiatives. Traveled with, and translated for, short term service learning teams. Assisted with medical relief and education programs for health sustainability. Coordinated travel itineraries for the organization. Tutored high school students in grammar and algebra.
Title: Freshmen Class Representative
Institution: Gordon College Student Association
Location: Wenham, Massachusetts
Dates: 09/10 - 05/11
Description: Represented the Gordon College Class of 2014 to the administration, donors, and trustees. Participated as a voting member of the Student Government Forum. Developed and oversaw initiatives for the betterment of Gordon College.
Research Interests
History of Religion;
Puerto Rican Studies;
Latinx Studies;
De/Post/Colonial Studies;
Theologies of Liberation;
Diversity in Higher Education; Access/Equity to Higher Education;
Higher Education Policy;
Head Start
Professional Affiliations and Service
Mid-Atlantic Region American Academy of Religion
—Chair of the Religion of the Latin/x Americas Unit (2017-2020)
American Academy of Religion
American Historical Association
American Society of Church History
--Graduate Student Representative,
elected 2020
International Ph.D. Seminar
--Executive Committee Member (2018-2019)