CHICAGO – July 13, 2018 – Chicago Theological Seminary today announced the appointment of Dr. Kate Lassiter as the director of theological field education, filling the role vacated by Rev. Stephanie Buckhanon Crowder, PhD, upon her appointment as academic dean. Dr. Lassiter officially begins her role at CTS on Monday, July 23.

Dr. Lassiter has expertise in the role of spiritual practices in public strategies for healing and just care, and extensive experience in the academy, non-profit development and management, and diverse religious communities. Most recently, she served as Associate Professor of Religious and Pastoral Studies at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Before joining Mount St. Joseph University, Dr. Lassiter served as the Lilly Visiting Professor for Social Justice and Community Development at Loyola University Chicago.

“We are delighted to have Dr. Lassiter join the CTS community,” said Rev. Stephanie Buckhanon Crowder, PhD, vice president of academic affairs & academic dean. “She has been instrumental in developing students for religious leadership in contextual studies. Dr. Lassiter brings to CTS a passion for integrating pastoral ministry and community organizing for racial, gender, and economic justice.”

In her book Recognizing Other Subjects, Dr. Lassiter identifies interpersonal, structural, and ideological barriers to advancing care and justice, and outlines quantifiable strategies to achieve belonging and inclusion. She has expertise in Catholic social teaching, race and gender theory, culturally appropriate trauma healing, and restorative justice.

Dr. Lassiter holds a PhD in Religion, Psychology, and Culture from Vanderbilt University where she was a fellow in the Program for Theology and Practice. She also holds a masters degree from the University of Dayton and a bachelors degree from DeSales University. She was named a Coolidge Fellow by Auburn Seminary and CrossCurrents Magazine in 2017 and was recognized as an Emerging Scholar by her peers in 2016. She is an active member of the American Academy of Religion, Society for Pastoral Theology, and American Psychological Association, Division 27.