Ken Reed-Bouley, MDiv, MBA

Director
krb@creighton.edu

I grew up in Massachusetts, am the son of a nurse and public middle school teacher, and am the youngest of four children with three older sisters. I attended the University of Notre Dame as an undergraduate where I first became immersed in experiences of service, faith and justice. After college I volunteered for a year with the Dominican Volunteers. I lived with Dominican priests while teaching at Hales Franciscan, an African American male high school on the South Side of Chicago. After three years at Hales, I joined campus ministry at Loyola University Chicago where I worked for seven years–mainly in service, faith, peace and justice work–while earning my Master of Divinity and Master of Pastoral Studies. I arrived at the CCSJ in August of 1999. I earned my Master of Business Administration while working at Creighton. My wife, Jennifer, is a Professor of Theology at College of St. Mary here in Omaha. We have two daughters: Maya was born in March of 1998, and Rosa was born in December of 1999. They are the joy of our lives. I consider my ministry of service, faith, justice, community, simplicity, sustainability, solidarity, reflection and Ignatian advocacy, in collaboration with our talented and committed CCSJ team, to be a gift and grace. Striving to live out a “faith that does justice” with students, community partners, staff, faculty, and alumni/ae fills my life with meaning

Kelly Tadeo Orbik

Associate Director
korbik@creighton.edu

I grew up in Papillion, NE. While I haven’t moved far from home, I have had many opportunities to live with and learn from various communities in El Salvador, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and on 6 domestic service trips. These experiences have been incredibly educational, inspirational and life changing- it is truly amazing how connected we are as a human family, how much we depend on and impact each other. After college I lived in an intentional community called the Namaste Community. My B.A. is in Justice Society and Spanish (Creighton ’06). My Masters is in Negotiation and Dispute Resolution with an international concentration through Creighton’s Werner Institute. I see my role and that of our office as bridge building. Away from the CCSJ I am an affiliate mediator with the Concord Center, visit immigrant detainees in Douglas County Corrections, help with Adult Education classes through Comunidad Maya Pixan Ixim, and serve on the leadership board for Ixim: Spirit of Solidarity, a twinning relationship between Omaha and Huehuetengango, Guatemala. I am also an active member on Omaha Together One Community’s Just Immigration Action Team. I love connecting our students with these and many other great community partners.

Jeff Peak

Assistant Director
JeffPeak@creighton.edu

I was born and raised in Northern Los Angeles but somehow made my way to Nebraska to attend school at Creighton.  I graduated with a BA in Journalism and an MA in Ministry.  Along the way I have volunteered with Amate House in Chicago – running an after-school program for at risk youth in McKinley Park – and worked in Campus Ministry at Saint Peter’s College in Jersey City.  I have a keen appreciation for pancakes and smoothies, a passion for San Francisco sports, and a love of accompanying students as they live out the service of their faith in the quest for a more just world.

Wendy Maliszewski

Administrative Assistant
WendyMaliszewski@creighton.edu

Wife, mother, fiber artist are three words I would use to describe who I am. Omaha has been my home since 1969.  I am a Central High School alumnus and attended the University of Nebraska graduating with a degree in Textiles, Clothing and Design. I have been married to my wonderful husband Joe, since 1976. We have two amazing daughters. Our oldest, Kelly, lives in Omaha. She is a Dental Hygienist and also works at a Med Spa as an Esthetician. Brianna also lives in Omaha and is a graduate of the Creighton Accelerated Nursing program, working with the tiniest of patients as a NICU nurse. I have worked in the CCSJ for the last 17 years.  Through it, I have had the opportunity to meet many wonderful people from all over the world. Our students continually amaze me with their knowledge on the issues, their uncanny ability to make me laugh and their unfailing commitment to justice.

Catherine Keating

Graduate Assistant

Mambo! (Hello!) I am from St. Cloud, MN, grew up in a little family of four, and had the good fortune of coming to Creighton for undergraduate studies in 2006. I was very involved in the CCSJ during my entire Creighton career and worked as a student coordinator in the office during my senior year. I received my BA in Philosophy and Justice and Peace Studies in 2010. After graduation, I joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corps for two years in Tanzania, East Africa. I taught in a primary school, lived in an intentional community, and learned quite a bit about the joys and challenges of being a guest in another culture. I returned in December of 2012, found my way back to Creighton, and am currently a graduate student with the Werner Institute for Negotiation and Dispute Resolution. I am overjoyed to be returning to the CCSJ, an office and a community that was pivotal in my formation and has become quite a HOME for me. I enter this incredible opportunity to join the CCSJ team as a Graduate Assistant with immense gratitude and excitement for the coming two years!

Mike Rios

Graduate Assistant

I hail from – born and raised – Aurora, IL, a large western suburb of Chicago. I am the 2nd born and the oldest son in a family of 6. Family is extremely important to me as I grew up in a very large, Mexican/German Catholic, tight-knit extended family and my heritage is something I hold dear. After attending an all-boys Benedictine military high school, I found my way to Creighton University where I received a Bachelors in Theology while minoring in Biology (on the pre-Medicine track). During college I was fortunate enough to spend time in the Dominican Republic, Nepal, along with 4 domestic service trips across the country. In Nepal I worked with an anti-human trafficking non-profit for 6 weeks before my senior year: an amazing experience that heavily contributed to my decision to do a year of post-graduate volunteering in Latin America. I spent my last year in a small sector of Guayaquil, Ecuador called Mount Sinai with the foundation Rostro de Cristo. Along with working in a Jesuit community organizing office, participating in parish music ministry, learning Spanish, and forming relationships with families near our home, we also led multiple college and high school immersion trips that came down to live with us for a week. Through this work–connecting and accompanying students with a community a am very invested in–I learned of my passion for student ministry. I hope my time as the CCSJ Graduate Fellow will help guide and nourish this recent vocational redirection as I also pursue a Masters in Ministry at the university.

Victoria Acosta

Student Coordinator/Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice Core Team

My name is Victoria Acosta I am originally from sunny San Diego, California. I came to Creighton back in 2012 and have loved it ever since. My first encounter with the CCSJ was Spring Break 2013. My original plans to go home fell through and the CCSJ was nice enough to send me on my first Service and Justice trip to Pilsen, a suburb near Chicago, and boy did it change my life forever. Since then I have been to El Paso and have coordinated a trip to Whipple House with the Daughters of Charity. All of my trips have had something to do with immigration and ESL education. Through the trips I have gained so much more of an appreciation for the opportunities I have here in the United States as well as a bigger idea of the situations and circumstance countless of families are experiencing. I will be working with the Ignatian Family Teach-In team and plan to continue my involvement with the local immigrant community as well as the CCSJ for as long as I can.

Roselle Agdipa

Student Coordinator/Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice Core Team

Hello! Hi there! My name is Roselle and I am a senior social work major with a public policy minor on the pre-law track. I come from half way across the country from San Jose, California, but that doesn’t phase me since I love traveling. I fell in love with the CCSJ before I was even a freshman, when I saw the large group of Creighton students at the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice when I was a senior in high school. Although the Teach-In was not the only reason I choose to attend Creighton for college, it was definitely a huge factor. I’m very excited to work at the CCSJ again for my third year in a row. My last few years, I did weekly service at the Juan Diego Center and Children’s Square and it was definitely something that I enjoyed immensely. Through my few years at Creighton I’ve done the Service and Justice Trip to El Paso, TX, I’ve spent a summer in Washington D.C., interning for a congressman and I’ve gone to the Ignatian Family Teach-In three times, making this year my fifth Teach-In. I hope to see you sometime!

Shayna Bartow

Student Coordinator/Service and Justice Trips Core Team

Hello! My name is Shayna Bartow and I am a junior Justice and Society major! I am originally from Prairie du Chien, WI, but after I finished high school, my parents conveniently moved to the good old state of Nebraska. I consider myself I super-active person, and I love sports, hiking, fishing, and just being outside and having fun with my friends and family! Since my first experience with CCSJ Service and Justice trips my freshman year, I have fully supported the goals and mission of the office. I have gone on two trips to Denver, CO and New Orleans, LA, and I am super excited that I will be coordinating a service trip this fall! As a first-year staff member, I am excited to see all of the great things that will come from working in the CCSJ.

Maria Benevento

Student Coordinator/General Office

Hi, I’m Maria Benevento and I’m from the great city of Kirksville, Missouri and have lived there my whole life. At Creighton, I am double-majoring in theology and American Studies, with a minor in justice and peace studies. I got involved with the CCSJ through weekly service at the Juan Diego Center and Pixan-Ixim, followed by a Service and Justice Trip to Milwaukee and the IFTJ. I started working at the CCSJ my junior year and also coordinated a Service and Justice trip to White Rose Catholic Worker House in Chicago. I was a member of Cortina my sophomore year and am currently a live-in Formation Group Leader for the community. The CCSJ is helping me attain my dream career of utopian-society-founder, which used to be a joke but is becoming progressively more serious. After graduation, I hope to spend time living and working in a Catholic Worker house or on a farm.

Emily Beyersdorfer

Student Coordinator/Fundraising Team

Hello! My name is Emily and I’m a sophomore nursing student from Belleville, Illinois. I have lived there my entire life and I am the second child out of my three lovely sisters. Outdoorsy activities are of interest to me as well as trying new food. Working for the CCSJ has me excited to learn about social justice and to be more involved in service with local and global issues. My first Service and Justice trip to El Paso, TX this year had me hooked to see what else the CCSJ has to offer. I am thrilled to be working here and I can’t wait to see what this wonderful experience entails.

Melissa Bumanglag

Student Coordinator/Service and Justice Trips Core Team

Hello! My name is Melissa and I was born and raised in Mililani, Hawaii. I am a psychology major, with minors in criminal justice and legal studies. I first got involved with the CCSJ during my freshman year at Creighton by participating on my very first Service and Justice Trip to Morton, Mississippi. While in Morton, during the day, I tutored elementary and high school students in Math and English, and during the afternoon, I helped refurbish a local church to bring it back to shape. The experiences that I had in Morton inspired me to get more involved in the CCSJ by continuing to be involved with service and justice trips. I am currently a senior, and since my trip to Morton, I have coordinated Trips to Sioux City, Milwaukee, and Albuquerque. My participation in Service and Justice Trips has been nothing short of a blessing, and those experiences have made my time at Creighton truly memorable. I am extremely excited to be a part of the Service and Justice Core Team this year, and look forward to becoming even more involved with the CCSJ as a student worker. Most of all, I look forward to the new experiences, stories, laughs, and blessings that the CCSJ and my senior year have in store for me!

Bridget Carter

Student Coordinator/Communications Team

Hey there! My name is Bridget Carter and I was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota. I am the third child out of three – I am lucky enough to have two older brothers. I am a sophomore undecided major who loves music, sports, reading, the outdoors, and service. Along with working in CCSJ, I am also part of the Cortina Community, which gives me another opportunity to do service in Omaha. Service has always been a part of my life and working in the CCSJ provides me with numerous opportunities to continue this. I am particularly looking forward to going on Fall and/or Spring Break Service and Justice trips through the CCSJ. I am very excited to be working in CCSJ this year!

Sage Ezell

Student Coordinator/General Office

My name is Sage Ezell, I was born in raised in a small town in central Kansas. I am one of five children in a wonderful and close-knit family. I originally became involved in the CCSJ through a Service and Justice trip my freshman year to a Catholic Worker House in Cleveland. My sophomore year I went on a second service trip to another Catholic Worker House in Chicago, which inspired my current Justice and Peace Studies major. These Service and Justice trips led me to continue my involvement with the CCSJ, and in the Omaha community.

Ian Fallon

Student Coordinator/ Community Worker

My name is Ian Fallon, and I am originally from New England but have been a Nebraska resident and Cornhusker for the past eight years of my life.  As a disciple of Dr. Tom Kelly, I am majoring in theology with justice and peace studies, behavioral and cognitive neuropsychology, and Spanish minors. My first exposure to the CCSJ was through weekly service at Pixan-Ixim, and through that experience I was convinced to go on my first Fall Break Service and Justice Trip in October of 2012 to Pilsen, Chicago.  I applied to work in the CCSJ because I want to learn how to take my talents and apply them to service to work for the betterment of mankind.  For most of my life I’ve been more of a thinker than a doer, and with the CCSJ I want to learn how to do God’s work.

Anna Ferguson

Student Coordinator/Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice Core Team

Hi! My name is Anna Ferguson, I am a senior from Wheaton, IL, a suburb just west of Chicago, and I am a loyal Cubs fan. I am double-majoring in theology and journalism, which are two huge passions of mine: Writing and faith, what could be better? The oldest of six girls, I come from a lively family who instilled in me a desire to serve and learn as much as I can about the world around me. I first became involved with the CCSJ when I attend the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice my freshman year and since then, I’ve been hooked on what they do. Already excited bout doing service, it was an eye-opening and truly life-changing experience learning about how justice fits into service and faith through the IFTJ and my first Service & Justice Trip to Detroit during my freshman Spring Break. It was kind of a Matrix moment for me: once I found the CCSJ and learned about what they do, I couldn’t go back. It’s now my third year working in the office on the Communications Team and as the Co-chair of the IFTJ Core Team. I’m excited to be leading a Fall Break Service and Justice Trip to Wheeling, WV in October and to see what lies ahead for the rest of the year. I love reading, any kind of outdoor activity, and getting to know new people.

Sarah Kelly

Student Coordinator/Service and Justice Trips Core Team

My name is Sarah Kelly and I am a junior majoring in medical anthropology and justice and society. I am also a part of the Honors Program and I am a Resident Advisor in Kiewit Hall. I became involved with the CCSJ my sophomore year by participating on a Fall Break Service and Justice Trip. After studying abroad in the Dominican Republic spring semester of my sophomore year, I decided to become more involved with service on campus, which is why I pursued a position on the Service and Justice Trips Core Team. After graduation, I hope to do a year of service before pursuing a degree in counseling psychology.

Bekah Kornblum

Student Coordinator/ Service and Justice Trips Core Team

Hi! I’m Bekah and I’m a senior finance major from Fort Worth, Texas. I first got involved with the CCSJ on a Spring Break Service and Justice Trip to Stroud, Oklahoma my freshman year. I had so much fun that I came back for three more trips, and I’m not stopping there! My experiences in Stroud, New Orleans, Chicago, and Morton, Mississippi have led me to where I am today, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me in the future. I admire what the service trip program does for each one of its participants. I’m thrilled to be a part of the Core Team, and I am so excited to be a part of making the program bigger and better this year.

Lin Lau

Office Volunteer

Ni Hao. Xin chao cac ban. Hola. Hello. This is Lin Lau, a junior majoring in biology and Spanish. I am originally from Vietnam, but my family and I immigrated to Kansas City, KS twelve years ago. I am one of my parents’ ten children and am the youngest daughter, but not the youngest of all. I grew a lot after coming to the U.S. mainly because of my realization of my parents’ hope for me and also because my exposure to American historical figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. King and others like him make me also realize how fortunate I am to live and study in this land of vast opportunities. I was further blessed to continue my growth and development at a university that not only educates students to obtain a degree, but also to develop into service-oriented individuals. I was involved in a few service trips to Indian Reservations, but this year, it was my first time attending a Service and Justice trip hosted by the CCSJ. Through these Service and Justice trips, I became more aware of the problems that people are suffering; it makes me feel thankful for my life. As a Buddhist, I am inspired to serve the needy with my acquired knowledge and skills; the CCSJ is an organization on campus that will allows me to serve, learn and grow through what I witness. I am excited and look forward to befriend and collaborate with all the CCSJ team leaders and staff members to fulfill a common goal.

Gwen McElhattan

Student Coordinator/Communications Team

Hello! My name is Gwen McElhattan and I was born and raised in a town called River Grove, about twenty minutes from downtown Chicago! I am a sophomore and have not officially declared a major yet, but am looking into sociology or social work with a minor in justice and peace studies or art. I have been infatuated with volunteer work, since my first Service and Justice trip to restore New Orleans in 2011, and I recently participated in a Spring Break Service and Justice Trip to Denver, Colorado. I have wanderlust (which is defined as the irresistible impulse to travel and explore the world). I plan on studying abroad and possibly doing a year of post-graduate service. I’m an extrovert who also happens to be an avid reader. I love art and cannot wait to start my leadership position on the CCSJ Communications Team!

Hannah Mullally

Student Coordinator/Ignatian Advocacy Team

Hello, friends! My name is Hannah Mullally and I am a junior environmental science major with a sustainable energy minor. I have always loved being outside and around animals, so I can’t wait to use my education to help protect our incredible earth! As an only child, I grew up in the country outside of the small town of Seward, Nebraska with my wonderful parents. They taught me from a young age about the unique value of each person and the importance of working for justice. It came as no surprise, then, that a major factor in my choosing to come to Creighton was the presence of the CCSJ. I first became involved with the CCSJ my first semester of freshman year as a member of the Ignatian Advocacy Team for Sustainability. Since then, I’ve continued to stay involved with the advocacy group and have had the privilege of going on three Service and Justice trips so far. My heart has been opened by the beautiful people I have met through these experiences. Although I enjoy the academic side of college, the knowledge I have gained through service and justice work is worth more to me than anything I will learn in the classroom. I can’t wait to see what this new year will bring!

Andrew Roesch

Service and Justice Trips Core Team

Hi! I’m Andrew and I’m from Hoffman Estates, Illinois, which is a northwest suburb of Chicago. I spend my summers in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin where I enjoy golfing and being out on the boat. I also enjoy trying all kinds of new experiences and have really liked trying several new restaurants. I recently dined at my first Michelin-starred restaurant with my family and loved every minute of it. I got involved with the CCSJ when I went on my first Service and Justice trip. I was not really sure what to expect, but went in with an open mind and loved every minute of it.

Rachael Schwartz

Student Coordinator/Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice Core Team

Hello! My name is Rachael and I am a nursing major and plan to minor in studio art here at Creighton. I came here from Cleveland, Ohio and love living in the Midwest. I grew up with two brothers who I played ice hockey with until college. I love singing in the candlelight choir, participating in biology club, volunteering with the CCSJ, and spending time with my roommate. Service has always been a really important part of my life and I am so excited to live that out with the help of the CCSJ. I have gone on the IFTJ and a health-focused Fall Break Service & Justice Trip to West Virginia so far. I absolutely LOVE traveling and am so excited to go on future Service and Justice Trips! Next year, I’ll be on the IFTJ planning team and I want to make the trip as awesome as ever. I’ll be in the office as well and I hope to see you!

Annie Townley

Student Coordinator/Communications Team

Hola! My name is Annie Townley, and I am a junior. I spent the last semester in the Dominican Republic with Encuentro Dominicano, and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It has further inspired me to obtain my life goal of becoming fluent in Spanish and zip-lining across a rainforest. If you mention the words camping, snowboarding, zip-lining, or chocolate you will have me hooked. My passion for service and justice was reignited when I entered the CCSJ as a curious student, so I applied for a job. Currently I work as the graphic designer, and I plan to participate in the Ignatian Family teach-In and as many Service and Justice trips as possible. As of now I am considering nursing, but I love any form of art (graphic design or studio art are potential front-runners for majors). It is my second year working in the CCSJ, and I am very excited for all that is to come.

Michelle Villegas

Student Coordinator/Ignatian Advocacy Team

Hola! I am a political science major from Chicago, IL with a passion for social justice. I first got involved with the CCSJ the first semester of my freshman year through the IFTJ trip to Washington D.C. IFTJ led me to become more involved in the office as a member of the Ignatian Advocacy Team and Immigration Advocacy Group. Two summers ago I had the privilege of participating in an internship with Interfaith Worker Justice in Chicago with the support of the CCSJ. I am beyond excited to be working in the CCSJ this year and to continue to grow in and learn from our community.

Aside from school, I love coffee shops, used bookstores and chocolate. I enjoy reading classic novels and watching foreign films, and I am a huge fan of music, any and almost every genre. I tend to have a “half-glass full” view on things. I like to laugh, give hugs, and daydream. I am excited to make new friends through the CCSJ, hear their stories, have new experiences and learn a little bit more about myself through all of it.

Matthew Wenz

Student Coordinator/General Office

My name is Matthew Wenz and I am a sophomore in the Heider College of Business. I was born and raised in Winfield, Illinois and I enjoy Chicago sports (minus the Cubs). I am majoring in accounting and finance, and I am working towards learning Spanish. I traveled to Peru last summer on the Peru FLPA, and traveling is something I am passionate about. I am really excited to join the CCSJ team and I am looking forward to the year ahead.

Caryn Willems

Student Coordinator/Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice Core Team

Aloha! My name is Caryn and I am not from Hawaii, but rather the close, neighboring state of Wisconsin. I am a philosophy and Spanish double-major, with minors in theology and justice and peace studies. With the help of those degrees I plan to do post-grad volunteering for three years. I am the baby of my family, with three older brothers. I also have two nephews, one niece, and a dog named Abby. My many hobbies including eating food, attempting to sing, long walks on the beach at arms distance from others, and quoting movies. During the Fall of 2012, I went to the Dominican Republic through Encuentro Dominicano. This was by far one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had throughout my time here at Creighton. I had done community service in high school, but never before had I thought about things like justice, solidarity, or sustainability. This trip led me to the Campus Ministry office, and ultimately the CCSJ. After wonderful experiences participating in weekly service, the IFTJ and a Service and Justice Trip, I applied to work in the office. I am so excited to continue weekly service, bad jokes, and my justice-loving ways in the CCSJ this year.

Maria Teresa Gaston

Emeritus Director (Maria Teresa finished her work at the CCSJ at the end of 2011 in order to complete her PhD studies in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. She can be reached at gaston.mariateresa@gmail.com.)

Originally from Havana, Cuba, Maria Teresa grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She received her bachelor’s degree in Theology from Marquette University and there began her work in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee with Hispanic youth and young adults. After her marriage to John Witchger (in 1981!) they followed their desire to serve in the missions and moved to the farm worker community of Immokalee, FL. There they joined in organizing efforts with Guadalupe Social Services and ministry with the church while raising their three sons (Felipe, Martin, and Luke). Maria Teresa obtained her Master’s Degree in Religious Studies/Hispanic Ministry from Barry University/Southeast Pastoral Institute in Miami and her Certification in Youth Ministry from the Center for Ministry Development (both in 1988). She taught courses in pastoral planning and group process for Hispanic ministers in the mobile school of the Southeast Pastoral Institute. In the Diocese of Venice in Florida she served as the director of the Campaign for Human Development and Catholic Relief Services until 1998 when the family moved to Omaha for Maria Teresa to become the director of the Creighton Center for Service and Justice. She serves on the Social and International Commission of the Wisconsin Province of the Jesuits, on the Heartland Worker Center board, and on the board of the Omaha Community Foundation’s Futuro Latino Fund.

Maria Teresa explains her work with the CCSJ in a podcast on Catholic Comments. At the Founders Day Mass  on February 7, 2010, Maria Teresa was presented with a St. Ignatius Award. Each year, this award recognizes faculty and staff who live in the spirit of Ignatius. Congrats Maria Teresa! Audio of Founder’s Day Mass Maria Teresa’s Ignatian Award Bio/Citation.