Colleen Wessel-McCoy hired as assistant professor of peace & justice studies

Colleen Wessel-McCoy has been hired as Earlham School of Religion’s new Assistant Professor of Peace & Justice Studies.

“I am thrilled that Colleen will be joining the ESR faculty,” said ESR Associate Dean Jim Higginbotham. “She brings an incredible amount of experience to this position, especially to direct our Master of Arts in Peace and Social Transformation (MAPST) program and provide the theory and practice of peace- and justice-making for all our ministerial students.

 “I look forward to the passion; deep commitment to all forms of justice; and the academic insight that she will contribute in this vital role for the school.”

Wessel-McCoy is currently the Neeley Visiting Professor of Religion & Public Policy at Arizona State University’s School of Public Affairs. Previously she was a lecturer at Union Theological Seminary and coordinator of Poverty Scholarship and Leadership Development at the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice. She was also a National Political Educator with the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. She is joined by her husband, John, and children, Myles, Josephine, and Harriet.

“It’s an honor to be welcomed to ESR,” Wessel-McCoy said. “I’m excited to join a learning community that weaves together spiritual formation, academic study, and ministries engaged in the most urgent issues of our time. I am looking forward to building relationships at ESR and in the larger community as I grow in my own call.”

Wessel-McCoy will join ESR for the Fall 2022 semester as the next cohort of MAPST students begin their seminary experience.