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 an Esthetician working at a Med Spa while taking classes to become a Dental Hygienist. Brianna also lives in Omaha and just finished the Accelerated Nursing program at Creighton. She will be taking her board exams in Sept. and is already looking for a job. I love my work here in the CCSJ. 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 and their commitment to justice. They also have the uncanny ability to make me laugh. They give me so much hope for the future of our world.
Molly Dellaria
Graduate Fellow
I am originally from Sauk Prairie, a small town in Wisconsin. I am the middle child between two wonderful brothers and absolutely adore my family. A recent grad from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN, I earned degrees in both Catholic Studies and Psychology. This past summer I married another St. Thomas Alum – Benjamin Dellaria – who is currently pursuing a Medical Degree at Creighton and is sure to make many appearances in the CCSJ office. As the new Graduate Fellow for CCSJ, I will be helping out on the Service Trips Core Team as well as working part-time at the front desk while earning a Masters in Creighton’s Ministry program. Though this is my first time working with the CCSJ, I have had a growing passion for service and justice since high school. Participating and leading different service immersion trips around the country and abroad, I am excited to continue to foster these passions and discover new ones with the CCSJ community. When not in the office, I love cooking and baking, exploring new places and always welcome a new workout buddy!
Patrick O’Malley
Graduate Intern
I grew up in Mobile, Alabama extremely involved with the L’Arche community: sharing meals with the community as well as working on the fundraisers and special events put on through the community. I graduated from Creighton in May 2011 with a B.F.A. in Technical Theatre and am currently pursuing my MBA. At Creighton my first experience with the CCSJ was a Fall trip my Freshman year when I had the chance to travel to Pilsen, a Hispanic community on the south side of Chicago. Since then, I have had the opportunity to participate in 5 other service & justice trips, lead service to the Siena/Francis House, work with Project Homeless Connect Omaha, and develop my communications skills through my involvement with the communications team. This year, I will also be working with Creighton’s College of Business while serving on the university’s Social Media Council.
Roselle Agdipa
Student Coordinator/Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice Core Team
Hello there! I’m a Sophomore Social Work major with a Legal Studies minor on the Pre-Law track. I’m from half-way across the country, San Jose, California. This year I will be living in the Cortina community and will happily hike the stairs to the top floor as long as I get to experience the wonderfulness that is Cortina. I fell in love with the CCSJ before I was even a freshmen, when I saw the large group of Creighton students at IFTJ (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 is one of the reasons.
I am so stoked to work at the CCSJ this year. Outside of the CCSJ you can see me walking backwards down the mall giving tours for Admissions or moving my hips with the Hui’ o Hawaii girls during the annual Lu’au. I absolutely love Creighton and am so excited to be a part of the CCSJ this year.
Jhulan Banago
Service & Justice Trips Core Team
I was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri (home to the Kansas City Chiefs!) I have one brother that I love dearly. I am a senior Biology major on a Pre-Med track. I enjoy doing many different things. I love sports. I love to travel. I’ve been to the Philippines, Canada, and all over the US of A. I love music. I hate roller coasters. I love the Dark Knight and so does Colin McDonald.
I have done service throughout my life, but I got involved in the CCSJ for the first time my sophomore year. It all started when I lived on the Cortina Community floor. My first service trip was to Pilsen in Chicago and it was such a great experience. I coordinated the next two service & justice trips I went on to Mason Apartments in Omaha and Stroud, Oklahoma. Both experiences were great and I am very excited to be even more involved in the CCSJ and look forward to the great things we’ll be doing. :)
Amal Barre
Student Coordinator/Ignatian Advocacy Team
Salaam! I am a junior Sociology/Anthropology major with a minor in International Relations. I was born in Somalia where I spent most of my early years and currently reside in Des Moines, Iowa. I first got involved with the CCSJ my freshman year when I went on a service & justice trip to Minneapolis, MN. Since then, I have been involved with the office through service & justice trips and the Ignatian Advocacy Team. I am very excited to continue my involvement and begin working in the office this year. After graduation, I hope to go back to Somalia for a year of service and learning, and go to graduate school. My time away from Creighton is spent drinking tea, eating papayas, and traveling with family.
Lauren Brown
Student Coordinator
I am a junior Biology major and Business Administration minor from Honolulu, Hawaii. I got involved with the CCSJ my Freshmen year when I participated in the Omaha Sustainability Service and Justice Trip over Fall Break. Last Spring I studied abroad in the Dominican Republic through the Encuentro Dominicano program. I look forward to returning to campus this year and continuing to learn and serve others within the Omaha community as well as across the United States. I am excited to join the CCSJ family and look forward to meeting and developing relationships with people. I am also looking forward to the opportunities that will be presented to me within the CCSJ and everything else the year holds in store for me!
Anna Ferguson
Student Coordinator/Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice Core Team
Hello, hello! My name is Anna Ferguson, I am a sophomore from Wheaton, IL, which is a suburb just West of the Windy City, and, yes, I am a PROUD Cubs fan! I am currently pursuing a double major 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 less fortunate around me. I was blessed with a very active and faithful youth group community throughout high school that continued to foster my passion for service to others. I spent five summers traveling with them to different cities within the U.S., doing mission work and growing in my faith. That experience, combined with the service work I dove into when I came to Creighton last year, led me to the CCSJ. Through the Freshman Leadership Program, the IFTJ trip, a Spring Break Service & Justice Trip in Detroit, and the Creighton Cleanup, my sense of service and, especially solidarity, deepened significantly. A life immersed in simplicity, service, and solidarity became my source of energy and meaning at Creighton, and the CCSJ was the perfect place to find that. I am excited to work on the Communications team and the IFTJ planning team this year and can’t wait to see how much I learn in that process! Along with service and writing, other passions of mine include reading, spending time with friends, and any outdoor activity, but most especially camping, hiking, and climbing. Future plans include studying in the Dominican Republic (hopefully) and continuing my summer job at The Pines Catholic Camp in Big Sandy, TX.
Ryan Freeman
Student Coordinator/Ignatian Advocacy Team
I am a senior Justice and Society major, Medical Anthropology minor, from Kansas City. I spent the spring semester of my sophomore year in the Dominican Republic with the Encuentro Dominicano Program. I got involved with the CCSJ through different service sites, a service & justice trip to New Orleans, and working with the Ignation Advocacy Group. After graduation, I’m hoping to participate in a post-graduate volunteer program in Latin America after which I hope to study Public Health.
Katie Garrity
Student Coordinator
Hi! My name is Katie Garrity and I am a junior from Northbrook, IL. I’m studying Social Work with a minor in Spanish. I initially got involved with the CCSJ my freshman year, and have had some really awesome experiences with weekly service and service & justice trips since then. Last Spring, I studied in the Dominican Republic with the Encuentro Dominicano Program and I’m looking forward to bringing these experiences and all that I learned back to campus this fall. I am really excited for all the fun we will have on the CCSJ team again this year!
Annie Hagerty
Student Coordinator/ Service & Justice Trips Core Team
My name is Annie and I’m a senior from St. Louis, Missouri. I am majoring in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Special Education, and am very excited to be working in the CCSJ and being on Core Team for the Service & Justice trips this year. I have been influenced by my volunteer and work experiences at camps for kids with disabilities and by high school trips to La Chinantla, Mexico and Biloxi, Mississippi. Through the CCSJ, I traveled to West Virginia, Sioux City, Chicago, and the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice in Washington D.C. I am looking forward to spreading the word on campus about all the CCSJ has to offer and spending quality time in the office!
Andi Hinnenkamp
Student Coordinator/Service & Justice Trips Core Team/Ignatian Advocacy Team
Hello, my name is Andi Hinnenkamp. I’m from a small town around Wichita, KS and grew up as an only child. Coming to Creighton was a huge change for me, but because of the CCSJ and all of those involved with it, I have felt very comfortable at Creighton. Yet, being involved with the CCSJ, along with the Cortina Community, has pushed me well outside of my old box. Two years ago, I spent the summer in DC interning for NETWORK and learned so much about the political process in action, which is helpful for me as I pursue degrees in political science and history. My largest passions lean toward economic justice and peace, which are so interrelated. I’m excited for this next year in the CCSJ, to get people excited about service but more importantly to push people past just serving but to also advocate for societal changes.
Daniela Hinojosa
Student Coordinator
Hola hola! This is my last year here at Creighton University and I’m excited to work with the CCSJ for a second year! Majoring in Psychology with a minor in Medical Anthropology, Senior year will be bittersweet. There is so much to look forward to, but I’m not ready to leave such a wonderful experience behind. I am only 45 minutes away from home in Fremont, NE. A first generation college student and the oldest of 3, my experience here at Creighton has been great and being part of the CCSJ family has only made it all the more amazing. I began my journey with the CCSJ my Sophomore year with weekly service at the Juan Diego Center and Pixan Ixim in South Omaha, helping the Latino community with ESL and Naturalization classes. My passion for service has been an essential part of my growth and development as a person. It has been a calling; being part of a greater good, a bigger picture; working with the CCSJ has opened my eyes to a bigger plan.
We learn, reflect, and interact with communities beyond our own backyard. The individuals we work with have been our greatest teachers, opening up our minds and hearts to many of life’s lessons. Being part of the CCSJ isn’t just a job; it’s about being a family, a support system, it’s a way of life. CCSJ has been such an enlightening experience and an amazing opportunity to find who I wanted to be and to discover my potential to be that person. So here’s to another year with my beautiful CCSJ family, I’m so ready!
Jenny Lambrecht
Student Coordinator/Service & Justice Trips Core Team
I am from the small town of Sterling, Colorado and am majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in Biology. Since freshman year, I have slowly become more involved in service and justice at Creighton. Living in the Cortina Community my Sophomore year was extremely formative for me and caused me to want to be more involved in the service and justice aspect of Creighton. My first Service & Justice Trip was to El Paso, TX after which I was fortunate enough to lead a great group to Sioux City, IA last fall.
I enjoy playing games with my two brothers and spending time with my cousins. Working in the office last year, I was able to co-coordinate the Siena/Francis House weekly service site with two awesome people. Senior year I am blessed to be a part of the Service & Justice Trips Core team with some extraordinary individuals!
Colin McDonald
Student Coordinator/Service & Justice Trips Core Team
I grew up in the Great Midwest in the hard-working town of Columbia, MO. I am the oldest of three and have two fun, loving siblings. I am a Psychology major and Biology minor. Currently, my plan is to pursue medical school sometime after graduation. I am very eager to continue the process of learning about justice and being in community with the many diverse people of this world as I work in the CCSJ and am on the Service & Justice Trip Core Team.
My service journey began in the Cortina Community Sophomore year. While in the program I was fortunate enough to go on a CCSJ Service & Justice trip to the Siena/Francis House. The following year I headed west to coordinate a wonderful group of participants to Wind River, Wyoming. I am an avid runner, always up for a game of cards and soak up the time laughing with others. Without hesitation I can say I am very thrilled to be a part of the CCSJ staff and to learn from fellow staff members and individuals involved with the office!
Katherine Osterman
Student Coordinator
Hey! I am from St. Louis, Missouri and looking forward to being a Junior this year. I am a double major in Mathematics and Applied Physical Analysis with a dance minor tagged on just for fun. I enjoy spending time doing any type of dancing including swing. I am also fairly creative and enjoy doing artistic projects and painting glassware. I love being outside and travelling to new places. I recently spent a semester in Glasgow, Scotland and found some time to venture out to other places in Europe. After two service trips to Sioux City, IA and Winnebago, NE, I knew I wanted to get more involved and become a bigger part of the CCSJ community.
Lizzie Philbin
Service & Justice Trips Core Team
Hi! I am a senior nursing student from Phoenix, Arizona. I first got involved with the CCSJ during my sophomore year when I went on my first Service & Justice trip to Montgomery, AL. It was such a great experience that I decided to go on another trip in the fall to El Paso, TX and then led a trip to the Omaha Siena/Francis House this past spring. Each trip has been an amazing experience and have inspired me to continue working with the CCSJ. I look forward to working on the Service & Justice Trips Core Team and being able to share my experiences with others.
Aside from service trips, I absolutely love traveling. This past summer I went to the Dominican Republic as a part of the ILAC Medical Program. The prior two summers I spent in Spain and Costa Rica! After I graduate, I would love the opportunity to travel abroad and serve others through nursing.
Jessica Rangel
Student Coordinator
Hola Amigos! My name is Jessica Rangel and I am a senior from Houston, Texas. I am double majoring in Social Work and Spanish. I am proud to say that I am a first generation college student! It is a privilege to become part of the CCSJ family this year. Ever since I was introduced to this center, I have always admired their main focus of service, advocacy and justice. I have no doubt that this year will be filled with amazing experiences and opportunities that will allow me to expand my knowledge of advocacy and understand the necessities and conflicts that continue to exist not only in Omaha, but all over the nation. I enjoy meeting new people, listening to music, hanging out with friends among many other things, but most importantly serving others without expecting anything in return.
Elizabeth Samson
Ignatian Advocacy Team
Hello! I am a senior Justice and Society Major with a minor in Christian Life Studies. I am originally from Bakersfield, CA and am the oldest of 3. After working in the CCSJ for 2 years, I will continue to be on the Ignatian Advocacy Team as a volunteer. I am also excited to be co-coordinating a Fall Break Service & Justice Trip to St. Martin’s Homeless Shelter in Albuquerque, NM! I will only be volunteering my time in the office this year because I am one of the RAs for the Cortina Community, a sophomore living-learning community that partners with the CCSJ. (You can find out more here: http://www.cucortina.blogspot.com/) I will also be interning with the Siena/Francis House, a CCSJ community partner. My senior year could not be any better!
Post-grad plans are in the works and I am looking to do post-grad volunteering before pursuing a masters. I am passionate, optimistic, and a firm believer in the power of a hug! Family, friends, coffee, music, and a good book are guaranteed to make my day. I enjoy adventuring with friends, playing frisbee on a warm afternoon, and conversations over coffee or a bowl of popcorn. Stop by the office anytime to meet all of the amazing people I consider family and discover how to get more involved!
Majo Sandi
Student Coordinator
My name is Majo Sandi and I am an International student here at Creighton. I am originally from Cochabamba Bolivia, a wonderful country in South America. I am pursuing degrees in Marketing and Social Entrepreneurship with a minor in Studio Art. I attended an American International High School in Bolivia, which encouraged me to study abroad for college. One of my biggest passions is traveling. I had the opportunity to spend two months in India in 2009; this experience really broadened my perspective of the world. Service and justice were concepts that always lived in my mind and heart. In the summer of 2006 I coordinated a South American Bus Tour in which we served communities from 15 different cities. This trip changed my life and taught me that one can serve God only by the service of others. Once I got to Creighton, the CCSJ’s programs caught my attention so I decided to go on my first service trip to Minneapolis. I have been involved in service trips ever since. My sophomore year I was a member of the Cortina Community, which provided me with powerful insights about social justice. I enjoy one on one conversation and listening to what people have to say. Simple things in life always make my day. I love photography and I tend to edit pictures as a way to relieve stress. I am really looking forward to this year and having the opportunity to meet new people, listen to new stories, and form new relationships through my position in the CCSJ!
Mark Shimizu
Service & Justice Trips Core Team
Aloha. I was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, but somehow made my way to Nebraska for college. I am a senior, pre-med student majoring in Biology with a Justice and Peace Studies minor. My first experience with the CCSJ was a Service & Justice Trip to Montgomery, AL. I have since led trips to Calhoun City, MS and Sioux City, IA and last summer I had the opportunity to study abroad in Peru. I’m excited to be a part of this amazing organization this year!
Jennifer Steck
Service & Justice Trips Core Team
Hi there! I am a senior Political Science major with minors in Spanish and Justice and Peace Studies. After willingly leaving the great city of St. Louis, MO (Go Cards!) to come to Nebraska, I found a home in the CCSJ. I went on my first collegiate service trip my freshman year to St. Mary of the Woods, IN, but that was actually my third service trip. In high school, I went to Reynosa, Mexico and New Orleans, LA, both of which sparked my fondness for service trips. During my time as a part of the Cortina community, I went on two service trips to South Omaha and Chicago. After sophomore year, I spent the month of May studying in Spain, and spent the Fall 2011 semester in Washington D.C., interning at the Center for American Progress. I was fortunate enough to be able to join my Creighton friends when they came to D.C. for the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice. I am absolutely in love with D.C. and plan on living there someday. I am so excited to be a part of the Service & Justice Trips CORE Team and cannot wait for the adventures that are sure to come!
Michelle Villegas
Student Coordinator/Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice Core Team/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. This summer 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 book stores 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 day-dream. 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.
Haley Warren
Student Coordinator/Ignatian Advocacy Team
I am a sophomore majoring in Justice & Society and Math with hopeful minors in Theology and Spanish! In my free time I enjoy writing and playing songs on guitar and piano, spending time with my family and friends, writing letters, and dancing in the rain. Lake Oswego, a city just outside of Portland, OR, is my home. While I love living in Omaha, I miss living amongst the constant rain and multitude of trees that Oregon always promises.
I first became involved in the CCSJ my freshman year when I began attending weekly service at The Siena/Francis House. In November I attended the Ignatian Family Teach-In, joined the sustainability advocacy group, and the snowball just kept rolling! I am very fortunate and excited to have the opportunity to work in the office this year! I hope to continue to do service with the groups I am already a part of, while exploring the new opportunities that arise. I am excited to bond more deeply with everyone involved with the CCSJ and am looking forward to the many adventures to come!!
Chris Williams
Student Coordinator/Service & Justice Trips Core Team
My name is Chris and I am a senior Theology major with a co-major in Secondary Education. I grew up with my parents and younger brother Nick in the great small town of Spearfish, South Dakota. I was able to be a part of the Cortina community my sophomore year, which exposed me to issues of Social Justice and got me thinking about my role in engaging with these issues. Along with this, my service trips to Mississippi and New Orleans taught me a great deal about the need for love in the world, and inspired me to continue to grow in understanding how I can live a life of love rooted in faith that promotes justice. I am a pretty avid ping-pong player and I enjoy bonfires, movies, reading, being outside, food, and spontaneous adventures. I love laughing, listening to others, and always appreciate a good life chat. I am excited be a student coordinator this year at the CCSJ, especially to get to know some amazing people while growing and learning alongside them!
Shelby Snedeker
Student Coordinator/Service & Justice Trips Core Team
Well, Hello! My name is Shelby Snedeker, and I am a Senior Creative
Writing Major from Bellevue, Nebraska. I adore hiking through the woods,
a library stacked high with fantastic fiction, and singing as much (and
as loud) as I possibly can. For the past two years I’ve worked part-time
at the emergency children’s shelter at Children’s Square U.S.A. in
Council Bluffs, Iowa (http://www.childrenssquare.org/home.html), and feel
quite fortunate to have gotten to know these exceptional kids. My
involvement with the office began the Fall semester of my sophomore year
when I went on my first service trip to Wind River, Wyoming. We spent the
week living with a Native American community on their reservation, and
after that I was hooked. I’ve lead three service trips since then, each
offering a chance to learn more about social justice and the lives of the wonderful people in the host site communities. Through these trips I’ve been able to tutor elementary school students in Mississippi, learn about homelessness in Milwaukee, and work alongside some lovely alpacas on an eco-justice organic farm in Indiana. Nothing has taught me more about leadership and the type of impact I dream to make in this world than the programs provided by the CCSJ. I invite you to stop by the office to soak
up some of the passionate and genuine community the CCSJ generates. I cannot wait to spend the whole year with the Service and Justice Trips CORE Team, it shall be epic.
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.
