You Belong at AAR/SBL: Tips from Our Familia
First time at AAR‑SBL? Returning for the tenth time? Either way, we see you. HTI graduates and scholars who have walked these halls share their wisdom—how to conquer imposter syndrome, navigate networking with authenticity, and survive the marathon with grace and lots of cafecitos. This is your guide from those who know. Practical tips. Real encouragement. Solidarity from familia who understand how overwhelming it is to navigate the AAR/SBL meeting in a different city each year. These tips are offered to help ease the journey.
Get the Complete GuideFrom HTI's Executive Director
What you are about to read is not just news. It is the fruit of years—sacrifice, brilliance, and the quiet power of mentorship. From Latinas building "systerhood" to La Mesa creating space where there was none, this is what happens when we gather with purpose. Every milestone here carries a story. Representing familia and friendship. HTI's present and future continue taking shape—in the Church, in the academy, in the world. We are building it en conjunto!
Blessings,
Rev. Dr. Joanne Rodríguez
Logros: Community Milestones
Tap a category to explore HTI scholars' achievements
Dr. Alfredo García Garza (Harvard University) successfully defended his dissertation, "Healing the Susto of Deportation: The Dialectical Interplay of Resistance and Surrender in the Río Bravo Borderlands." ¡Felicidades, Dr. García Garza!
Dr. Carlos Garcia Alayón (University of Notre Dame) successfully defended his dissertation, "Ritual and Cosmos: Heavenly Rituals and Their World‑Making Power in the Second Temple Period and New Testament," on June 25, 2025. He is Assistant Professor of New Testament at the Oblate School of Theology.
Dr. Chance Juliano (Southern Methodist University) successfully defended his dissertation, "Liberation as Apophasis: A Constructive Account," on July 17, 2025. Juliano serves as Chair of the Religion Department at Incarnate Word High School.
Dr. Vanessa Ríos Valentín (Pacifica Graduate Institute, HTI Assistant Director of Programming) successfully defended her dissertation, "Susurros Ancestrales: Unearthing Taíno Archetypes for Boricua Individuation," on June 30, 2025. ¡Felicidades, Dra. Vanessa Ríos Valentín!
Dr. Neomi Dolores DeAnda was promoted to Full Professor at the University of Dayton. ¡Felicidades!
Dr. Bryan Stone has been appointed as Leighton K. Farrell Dean of Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. ¡En hora buena!
Congratulations to Dr. Daniel Flores who has been appointed as Senior Librarian & Associate Professor of Wesleyan Studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary!
Dr. Michelle Gonzalez Maldonado has been named Provost at Lebanon Valley College! ¡Felicidades!
Rev. Dr. Yara González‑Justiniano
Vanderbilt University
Rev. Dr. González‑Justiniano becomes the first Latina named as an inaugural Barbara Wheeler Fellow at Auburn Seminary.
Dr. Sister Ana María Pineda, RSM
Santa Clara University
HTI celebrates beloved founder Dr. Sister Ana María Pineda, RSM, recipient of the 2025 Peter Hinde CRISPAZ Peace Award!
Congratulations to Dr. Ahida Calderón Pilarski, named one of the recipients of the Society of Biblical Literature's CUREMP Outstanding Mentor Award, recognizing her as a biblical scholar who has provided exceptional mentoring and support to scholars of color within the profession.
Featured Stories
From Hermanas to "Systerhood"
You walk in as a mid‑career Latina leader. You leave as part of something bigger—a sisterhood that holds you up, a 'susterhood' that sustains your calling, and a 'systerhood' that transforms institutions.
"By the end, I was blessed with a new community of powerful hermanas, a sisterhood that became a 'susterhood' and then flourished into a 'systerhood.'" — Rev. Dr. Kristina I. Lizardy‑Hajbi
La Mesa: Where Everyone Has Seat
They said theological & religious education was not built for you. La Mesa Academy said, then we will build our own table. La Mesa Academy is what happens when partnership runs deeper than programs—it is listening made into learning, and community transformed into calling.
"It is incredibly empowering to be involved with an organization that seeks to push boundaries, open doors, and prepare a table that welcomes everyone." — Angela Pratt, First CohortPull Up a Chair
You Never Leave the Familia: Join the En Conjunto Association
"Once HTI, always HTI!" is a saying you will hear often when you attend an HTI event. It is the beginning of a relationship that will sustain you through the good, bad, and ugly times of your academic and leadership journey. One important gathering that provides this support is The En Conjunto Association (ECA) which keeps you gathered—learning en conjunto, celebrating en conjunto, building en conjunto. If you have not joined yet, do so now, and meet up with fellow HTI family in Boston!
The ECA will gather at Doña Habana (811 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA) on Friday, November 21, from 6–9 pm. Only 50 seats at the mesa—register by November 14.
HTI Open Plaza
HTI Open Plaza is a place where scholars engage diverse clergy, activists, artists, and thinkers in the public square to wrestle with questions about faith, justice, identity, and the sacred in the everyday.
Subscribe on Spotify or Apple to receive the most recent podcasts.
OP Talks • Stephen Adubato & Rev. Alex Evangelista
What does Benito mean when he sings to a generation balanced between despair and hope? A philosopher and a pastor sit down to exegete the world's biggest artist the same way we'd approach Scripture—because for millions, his music is providing deep hope in the midst of major despair.
"Optimistic Nihilism can be said to be La Nueva Religion of this generation."
Rev. Evangelista explains why overlooking Bad Bunny would be a theological mistake: "I exegete Bad Bunny in three arenas—social, political, and spiritual. Listening became a way for me to resist despair, experience joy, and trust in our God."
Listen & ReflectDr. Carmelo Santos • Pastor, Scientist, Advocate
After testifying before Congress on family separation, Dr. Santos was challenged: stop diagnosing, start prescribing. His answer flips the entire debate on its head.
"The solution to the migration crisis is to realize that migrants are not a problem to be solved but a blessing to be claimed."
From undocumented farmworker to Mayo Clinic brain surgeon. From detention centers to Google's founding team. Dr. Santos doesn't just theorize—he names names, cites data, and dares us to imagine policy rooted in blessing instead of fear.
Read the Full VisionHTI Publications & Resources
"In a time of shrinking resources… These scholars help us envision a more solid future." — Dr. Néstor Medina
Fourteen inaugural addresses. One truth: Latine leaders are reshaping theological education, one institution at a time. This is the scholarship that builds the future.
Read Now →
Welcome to the greenhouse. This is where seeds become scholars, and scholars become the ones who transform institutions. Meet this community—HTI Scholars, Alumni, and consortium member schools—all growing together in fertile ground.
View the Brochure →Newly Published Books
Excavating Women: The Archaeology of Leaders in Early Christianity
by Dr. Carina Oliveira Prestes
What if the stones could speak? They do. Archaeological evidence reveals women's clerical leadership buried in early Christianity—now excavated, now undeniable.
Learn More & Purchase →
Emerging Trends in Congregational Engagement and Leadership
by Dr. Kristina I. Lizardy-Hajbi
How do congregations face this moment? With wisdom earned and courage practiced. An interdisciplinary collection for leaders navigating what is next.
Learn More & Purchase →
Embracing Fear: Christian Re‑Existence in the Trump Era
by Dr. Oscar Garcia-Johnson
What if hope itself is the problem? Garcia-Johnson refuses easy answers. This is Holy Saturday theology—dwelling in strategic hopelessness while improvising Pentecost wherever walls rise. Essential reading for this moment.
Learn More & Purchase →
Theology and Ethics of Oppressed and Marginalized Peoples
co-edited by Dr. Raimundo Barreto
Who decides whose theology matters? The margins do. This groundbreaking collection proves what oppressed communities have always known—they are theological powerhouses reshaping our understanding of social ethics and agency in World Christianity.
Learn More & Purchase →
Base Ecumenism: Latin American Contributions to Ecumenical Praxis and Theology
by Dr. Raimundo Barreto
What if the church was shaped from the grassroots, not the towers? Latin American base communities have been writing ecumenical theology all along. Barreto finally gives them the platform they've earned.
Learn More & Purchase →Opportunities & Events
Job Opportunities
Share a new job post and/or check out the latest career opportunities and faculty positions from across HTI's consortium and partner institutions. Your calling might be waiting here.
HTI and Ecology Partner Events
M22-512
HTI Annual Reception
Saturday, November 22 | 8:00–10:00 PM (EST)
Marriott Copley Place, Grand Ballroom, Salon F
P22-400
La Comunidad of Hispanic Scholars of Religion
Theme: La Comunidad Book Panel
Saturday, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM | Marriott Copley Place, Vermont (Fifth Floor)
M22-403
Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE)
Theme: FTE Annual Alumni Reception
Saturday, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Sheraton, Grand Ballroom (Second Floor)
P22-502
Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion (WABASH)
Theme: Wabash Center Reception
Saturday, 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Westin Copley Place, Essex Center and South (Third Floor)
M22-205
Louisville Institute
Theme: Louisville Institute Reception
Sunday, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Marriott Copley Place, Simmons (Third Floor)
P23-301
Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion (WABASH)
Theme: The Classroom as a Site of Healing: Pedagogies of Care and Justice
Sunday, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM | Westin Copley Place, Great Republic (Seventh Floor)
P23-303
La Comunidad of Hispanic Scholars of Religion
Theme: Francisco: Ecumenical Reflections on the Legacy of the First Latin American Pope
Sunday, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM | Marriott Copley Place, Vineyard (Fourth Floor)
To celebrate together the Latine community events at AAR/SBL: For more information about events, lectures, and receptions, explore the AAR/SBL Annual Meeting book and/or add the AAR/SBL app to your mobile device.
Links to Program Book:
Searchable |
Downloadable
Celebrations
We celebrate together because joy is meant to be shared:
- ✨ Dr. Antonio (Tony) Alonso is getting married to Jennings Miller on November 26.! Congratulations and best wishes to the happy couple!
- ✨ HTI joyfully celebrates the birth of Mekhi Nazareth Vega (pronounced Meh-Kai), born October 21, 2025, weighing 8.5 pounds, to proud parents Dr. Matthew Vega and Dominique Vega.
For Prayer
We hold each other up. Here are members of our familia who need our prayers:
- • Dr. Benjamin Valentin who is currently ill
- • Dr. Teresa Delgado's father who is in hospital
- • Dr. Joanne Solis Walker's father who is currently ill
You Make This Possible
Every doctoral degree. Every book published. Every scholar leading change. This is what your investment looks like. Help us keep the greenhouse growing.
Give Today →Keep Us Posted
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