Education

PhD candidate in Christian Ethics and Social Theory, Union Theological Seminary, New York, NY, anticipated graduation date 2008

M.Div. in Theology, Drew University, Madison, NJ, 2001, Cum Laud

B.S. in Psychology (concentration in mental health), Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN, 1998                                                                      

Experience

Teaching Experience

Instructor, St. James Christian Learning Center, 2004-present

ET 101: Introduction to Christian Ethics (FA 2004)

TH 220: Black Theology (SP 2005)

Instructor, Summer Bible Institute, 1999-2004

Teens and Sexuality (SU 1999)

Profiles of Courage: African American Women in the Civil Rights Movement (SU 2000

BET, MTV and Christian Values (SU 2003, 2004)

Professional Experience

Education and Youth Leadership Coordinator, Urban League of Morris County, 2001-2004

▪ Directed several major youth centered programs (ages 12-21) that focused on education and leadership      

▪ Conducted College counseling for high school students

▪ Facilitated group discussions

▪ Assisted with grant writing

▪ Taught basic life skills and critical thinking

Assistant to the Coordinator, International Student Services, Drew University, 1998-2001

▪ Supervised 120 International Students and their families                                                                                          

▪ Counseled individuals on cultural and social issues                                                                                                 

▪ Coordinated orientation events, multi-cultural seminars, holiday parties, and general social events

Director/Coordinator, Nwanyi Rite of Passage Program (Newark, NJ), 1998-2002

▪ Mentored young girls

▪ Conducted college tours

▪ Introduced youth to college/campus life

▪ Assisted with college planning and preparation as well as followed up on college applications

Research Experience

Research Assistant, for Lillie Edwards, PhD, Chair, AFAM Studies Dept., Drew University 1998-2001

Research Assistant, for Arthur Pressley, PhD, Professor of Religion and Psychology, Drew University 1999-2001

·         Trotman, F.K., Greene, B., & Pressley, A. (2001). African Americans and the Independent Practice of Psychotherapy: Factors Affecting Access to Clinical Services. In The Independent Practitioner, 21(3): 140-153.

·         Pressley, A., Christensen, M., & Presnell, W. (2000) “Mental Health Workers and the Screening and Treatment of Children (11-18) with Radiation-induced Thyroid Cancer and Psychosocial Problems Associated With the 1986 Chornobyl Disaster.”

Qualifying Examinations

▪ Quiet as it’s Kept: Interrogating the Nexus of Colorism Through the Use of The Bluest Eye

▪ Hear Our Prayer O Lord: Violence Against African American Women and the Search for Moral Agency

▪ Methodism and the Question of Slavery

▪ “Political Ethics: A Moral Interrogation of the Abuse of Political Power”

 Publications

“Myths and Media: A Socio-Ethical Reflection on Hurricane Katrina” in The Sky is Crying: Race, Class and Natural Disaster, ed. Cheryl Kirk Duggan, Abingdon Press, 2006.

 “Towards an Environmental Theology: A Seminarian’s Perspective.” in The A.M.E. Church Review, Vol. CXVII, No. 381, Jan-Mar 2001.

“Think About It! ACT ON IT!” in The African American Pulpit. Spring 2001

Presentations/Lectures

Public Lecture—“Methodism and the Question of Slavery,” Union Theological Seminary/Columbia University, New York, NY, October 2006

Paper—Interrogating the Nexus of Colorism Through Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye,” The Society of Christian Ethics, Phoenix, AZ, 6 January 2006.  

Panelist— Tipple-Vosburgh Lectures, Spirituality and Social Justice, “Experiences of Spirituality and Social Justice Ministries,” Drew University, Madison, NJ, October 2003

Seminar—“Ethically Responding to Violence Against Women,” St. James Church, Newark, NJ, March 2005

Seminar—“The Ultimate Betrayal: Sexual Abuse in Black Families”

Academic and University Service

Member, Psychology Club, Tennessee State University, 1995-1998

Peer Counselor, Tennessee State University, 1996-1998

Assistant Coordinator, International Student Organization, Drew University, 1998-2001

President, Black Ministerial Caucus, Drew University, 1999-2000

Community Life Representative, Theological Student Association, Drew University, 1999-2000

Representative to the Faculty, Theological Student Association, Drew University, 2000-2001

Theological Student Representative, University Senate, Drew University, 2000-2001

Professional Affiliations

American Academy of Religion, 1999-Present ▪ Society of Biblical Literature, 1999-Present ▪ Society of Christian Ethics, 2003-Present ▪ the Toni Morrison Society, 2003-Present ▪ Association of Black Sociologist 2006-Present

Awards, Honors and Fellowships

All American Scholar, 1998

Chatham United Methodist Church Women’s Scholarship, 2000

Patricia Wickham Award for Feminist Scholarship, 2001

David Greybeal Award for a Ministry that Makes a Difference “Nwanyi Rite of Passage Program,” 2001

Harvard Divinity School, Conference Scholarship Recipient, "Religion and the Feminist Movement 2002"

Union Theological Seminary Doctoral Fellowship 2001-2004

Languages

French—Intermediate Reading Knowledge

Spanish—Intermediate Reading Knowledge

Research Interest

▪ Violence Against Women and Children

▪ Locating Evil within Religion and the Lived Experiences

▪ Colorism and Social Stratification

▪ African American Social Thought

▪ Theories of Justice

▪ Critical Social Theory

▪ Racism and Whiteness Theory

Ecclesiastical Information

▪ African Methodist Episcopal Church (13^th Episcopal District)

▪ Itinerant Deacon, 2001