Welcome to New Colleagues
Dr. Pamela Lightsey
Dr. Pamela Lightsey will be the Associate Dean for Community Life and Lifelong Learning, coming to us from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, where she has served as Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students and, before that, as a pastor. As Associate Dean, Dr. Lightsey will serve as Clinical Assistant Clinical Professor of Contextual Theology and Practice. She will support and enhance the rich community life of STH; strengthen our learning partnerships with the larger community, both locally and internationally; and bring her own unique gifts as a scholar.
Dr. Lightsey completed her PhD at Garrett-Evangelical in Theology and Ethics with additional work in African philosophy at Northwestern University. Her dissertation topic was If Somebody Hits You: Towards a Pan African Perspective of Just War. She nows serves on the national board of advisors on the Lilly funded “Soul Repair Project” working with Dr. Rita Nakashima Brock on moral injury in veterans. She is also currently serving as Co-chair of the AAR Womanist Approaches to Religion and Society Group. Her womanist work addresses the theological and ethical perspectives of queer African Americans.
Pamela is excited about coming to Boston University School of Theology noting its rich history in critical pedagogy that has taken seriously the issues of peace and social justice activism.
In her spare time Pamela enjoys cooking and photography. A southerner, she hopes to always maintain her southern accent and kindly hospitable ways.
The Rev. Dr. Wanda Stahl
The Rev. Dr. Wanda Stahl has accepted the position of Director of Contextual Education and Congregational Partnerships. In Dr. Stahl’s new Directorial role, she will serve as Clinical Assistant Professor of Contextual Theology and Practice. She will give intellectual and administrative leadership to the School’s reflection on diverse contexts and she will build the vitality and depth of our collaborations with congregational partners. Rev. Stahl will be leaving the position of Director of Christian Formation for the New England Conference of The United Methodist Church to serve in her new post. She has served on the New England Conference staff for 12 years.
Dr. Stahl completed her MDiv and STM at BU School of Theology, and her PhD at Boston College in Religious Education. In recent years, her concentrated study and leadership have been in spiritual formation and the building of congregational life. “My work in the New England Conference has been a rewarding and growing experience for me,” Rev. Stahl commented. “And yet in these past few months I have been feeling God calling me in new directions. I am excited to be able to take this next step in my career and my service to God and the Church in the academic environment. I am looking forward to this work with the students, faculty, and the communities in which we are preparing leaders to serve.”
“I feel a mix of thanksgiving for this marvelous opportunity for Wanda and BUSTH at the same time that I am sad that she is leaving the NEAC staff,” said Rev. James T. McPhee, Director of Connectional Ministries and Assistant to the Bishop. Wanda and I were hired at the same time, and have traveled (literally and figuratively) together in much of the happenings in the Conference over the past 12 years. Her gifts and presence have blessed us enormously.”
I’m excited for the opportunity to be serving at my alma mater, said Dr. Stahl. She lives in Scarborough, ME with her spouse and teenage daughters where she enjoys gardening, walking the beach, and many other excuses to be in the natural world.
The Reverend Cristian De La Rosa
The Reverend Cristian De La Rosa will be Director of Contextual Education and Community Partnerships, coming to us from the role of National Director, Hispanic Youth Leadership Academy, Perkins School of Theology. In Reverend de la Rosa’s Directorial role, she will serve as Lecturer of Contextual Theology and Practice. She will give intellectual and administrative leadership to the School’s reflection on diverse contexts and she will build the vitality and depth of our collaborations with community partners.She carried a simultaneous role until 2010 as National Director for Tertulias Pastorales, Association for Hispanic Theological Education (AETH), an ecumenical clergy initiative sponsored by the Lilly Foundation.
She previously served as Director of Continuing Education and Course of Study School at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Reverend De La Rosa is a doctoral candidate in theology and Ethics in Chicago Theological Seminary, where her dissertation is focusing on contextual dynamics of power and agency. She is a member of the Rio Grande Annual Conference and currently serves as Co-convenor for the National Association of UM Latina Clergy Women (ACLAMEN).