Dana Gatziolis ('10)

Dana writes, "I love to think back to my days as an undergraduate student in the Theology department. The classes that I took truly formed me as a learner, and pushed me to new limits. The relationships that I formed with my professors are perhaps the most special part about the THRS department. I dearly miss the days of showing up to a professor’s office and discussing theological topics that went beyond our syllabus.” (October 28, 2011)

Candice Marie Nasir ('11)

Candice Marie Nasir started work this fall on her MA in Peace and Justice Studies in the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies at USD. She was also accepted into a similar program at UC Berkeley, but she preferred the USD program. In October, Candice Marie's article "Contextualizing Peace in Islamic Traditions: Challenging Cultural Hegemony" was published in the peer-reviewed online journal In Factis Pax. This article originated as her THRS senior thesis. (October 14, 2011.)

Matt Juelsgaard ('05)

Matt Juelsgaard has for the past two years been working at Sacred Hearts Academy in Honolulu teaching theology. He's currently teaching 10th and 11th graders. As he reports, " I have enjoyed my experience there and love doing theology with high school students." Matt is also in the midst of pursuing a Ph.D. in education from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. His research is on the schooling experiences of minority students in Thailand. He plans on defending the dissertation during the spring semester of 2013. Besides work and school, Matt and his wife Natcharat are about to welcome into the world their first child. Matt reports that the baby s due in January and will likely be named "Damien" after St. Damien of Molokai. "I am thankful daily," Matt writes, "for the education I received at USD. It was in the theology department that I was taught to seek wisdom, knowledge, truth and understanding with both my mind and heart."

For two years after graduation, Matt lived in Thailand, working with the Lahu people, an ethnic minority group. He and and his wife began a micro-credit program in order to assist poor farmers and children of farmers. Matt would like students to know they are free to contact him if they are interested in traveling and volunteering in Thailand. His contact info is available from the department. (October 8, 2011)

Ashlee Chowen Cowles ('06)

Having finished her Masters in Theological Studies at Duke University, Ashlee Chowen married her longtime sweetheart, Jordan Cowles, in 2008. Ashlee and her husband then moved to Garmisch, Germany, where they spent a year working at a ski resort and traveling around Europe. After a lifetime of reading historical fiction, Ashlee was inspired to try writing it, and by the time she left Europe ended up with a manuscript for a novel set in 16th century Germany and Spain.

She and Jordan then moved back to their hometown of Colorado Springs, where Ashlee spent a year as an Americorps VISTA volunteer, working in a low-performing public school district for a non-profit organization called the PeaceJam Foundation, which connects kids with 12 Nobel Peace Laureates, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama.

After this year of service, Ashlee began teaching in the Philosophy Department at Pikes Peak Community College. Having the opportunity to teach at a college level encouraged her to continue with graduate school, and she's currently applying to PhD programs in Medieval History at the University of Cambridge, Notre Dame, and UNC-Chapel Hill. She also continues to to write fiction and was recently offered representation by a New York-based literary agent who is interested in a historical-fantasy novel Ashlee wrote for young adults. After earning a PhD, Ashlee hopes to continue working for public education reform, while also teaching at a small liberal arts college and writing fiction when she has the time. (September 14, 2011)

Gibran Chavez-Gudino ('11)

THRS Major Gibran Chavez-Gudino was the proud recipient of the 2011 Alcalá Award for his dedication to academic excellence, community service and leadership. Gibran is off to Harvard Divinity School to pursue a Master of Theological Studies (MTS) this August. Regarding his experience in the department, he said, "Professor Espín believed in me enough to help me believe in myself, and for this, I am forever grateful." See the feature on Gibran's achievements on the College of Arts and Sciences web site. (August 21, 2011)

Nicolas Estrada ('11)

Nicolas Estrada has been admitted to Loyola University in Chicago. He will be working on his Master of Arts degree in history with a specialization in Early Modern Catholicism. After completing his M.A., he hopes to move on to doctoral studies at St. Louis University. (July 7, 2011)

Lovel Tokic ('11)

Lovel Tokic was honored in May by Theta Alpha Kappa, Alpha Chi Chapter, with the Undergraduate Achievement Award for 2011. Lovel has held the highest cumulative average in Theology and Religious Studies among the graduating class. As part of this award, Theta Alpha Kappa presented Lovel with a check for $100.

Lovel, who double majored in THRS and Political Science, has been accepted into the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC). He will be working in Baltimore, MD as a legal advocate for tenants at the Public Justice Center. The Public Justice Center works to provide legal service to people suffering from poverty and discrimination. After completing his one year JVC commitment, Lovel will be applying either to law school or to a graduate program in international relations. (July 7, 2011)

Amanda Quantz ('95)

Amanda Quantz went on to earn her MTS. at Harvard Divinity School and her Ph.D. at the University of St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto. After teaching for a number of years at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, Amanda has recently taken a position in the Department of Theology and Pastoral Ministry at the University of St. Mary in Leavenworth, Kansas. Amanda was offered the position the day after her interview. On the basis of her teaching experience at USD and CTU, her record of scholarship and service, as well as her recent certification in the clinical pastoral education program at St. Francis Hospital, San Francisco, she was appointed to the St. Mary's position with four years credit towards tenure. Amanda will teach courses in Church history and systematic theology, as well as courses for St. Mary’s pastoral ministry program. For the latter, Amanda will lead an immersion course at Ahousat, Flores Island, British Columbia. This course will explore care across a variety of disciplines (Catholic tradition, Native American spirituality, pastoral tools for psychiatric medicine.)

Amanda was also offered a position in theology at St. Leo University, Florida, teaching in that institution’s programs for deacons, graduates, and undergraduates at their satellite campus near Charleston, South Carolina. Although Amanda accepted the St. Mary’s position, St. Leo’s requested continued contact in designing on-line courses for their graduate programs. (April 20, 2011)

Kara Kimball ('09)

Kara Kimball, a THRS minor, is currently working as a graduate assistant in the USD Center for Awareness, Service, and Action. Kara has been accepted for graduate study at the School of Theology and Ministry, Boston College, where she plans to begin study in Fall, 2011. At Boston College, Kara will will pursue a dual-degree program in Pastoral Ministry and Social Work, leading to an M.A. in Pastoral Ministry and an M.S.W. (April 20, 2011)

Marissa Miller ('11)

In June, Marissa Miller will begin working on her M.A. in Special Education at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Her tuition and housing will be fully funded by the PLACE Corps (Partners in Los Angeles Catholic Education). PLACE Corps students live together in community where they share not only a common professional interest, but also a common dedication to growing more deeply in their faith, a faith as Marissa writes, “I have come to cherish here at USD.” After completing her degree at LMU, Marissa will be teaching in one of the schools run by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. (April 15, 2011)

Tony Krzmarzick ('08)

Tony Krzmarzick has been awarded full tuition scholarships at the University of Notre Dame and the School of Theology & Ministry at Boston College. He has accepted the offer at Boston, which includes a non-working stipend of $15,000 for living expenses, and will be pursuing an MDiv starting Fall 2011. "I am sincerely grateful to USD for the well-rounded theological education and ministry opportunities that I received," says Tony, "Because it prepared me for my job in Youth Ministry and my future work at BC."

Since graduating from USD with a B.A. in Theology & Religious Studies and Music, Tony has been working as the Coordinator of Youth Ministry at St. Therese of Carmel Catholic Parish here in San Diego, where he coordinates all social, faith formation, and service activities for youth, 6th-12th grade, and directs the 3rd-8th Grade Youth Choir. "The experience that I have gained at St. Therese of Carmel is priceless, " Tony reports, "I have learned so much about myself and have discovered a true passion for teaching and preaching." (April 14, 2011)

Michael Sepidoza Campos ('94)

Following his graduation, Michael completed his M.T.S. in theology at Harvard Divinity School and pursued a teaching career. After a few years as an educator, he decided to return to his studies at the Graduate Theological Union (Berkeley, CA) where he recently earned his Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies: Cultural Studies and Critical Pedagogy. Michael writes: “I’ve always considered my time at USD as one of profound open-ing/-ness, not only to the theoretical intricacies of theology, but to the abundance that comes with learning to walk magnanimously with others. I am proud to have learned so much from you.” (March 28, 2011)

Emily Clawson ('07)

This spring, Emily Clawson was awarded full scholarships to Harvard Divinity School and Boston College for graduate studies in theology. "The fact that I got full rides to both of the schools to which I applied," Emily reports, "is a testament to the excellent professors I had at USD." After much thought, Emily has decided on Harvard, so she'll be off to Cambridge in the fall of 2010.

Until recently, Emily was working for Teach for America, mentoring sixth graders in English literature and social studies at Bethune Middle School in South Central Los Angeles. (May 4, 2010)

Andrew McMillin ('07)

Following his graduation, Andrew McMillin served as an Augustinian Volunteer, working as a high school teacher in Lawrence, MA. He was awarded a full scholarship for the M.Div program in the School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College, entering the program in the fall of 2008.

As he works toward his degree, Andrew is also serving the BC School of Theology and Ministry as assistant director of admissions. In this capacity, he has visited the USD campus several times to discuss opportunities for graduate study at BC with THRS majors and minors. (March 21, 2010)

Tanya Stewart ('95)

Tanya Stewart was born and raised in the suburbs of Los Angeles, California. At USD, she double majoring in Biology and Religious Studies.  Immediately after graduation, she headed to Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston Massachusetts, where she received her medical degree.  From Boston she found her way to the Pacific Northwest, completing her internship and residency at Legacy Good Samaritan and Emmanuel hospital in Portland, Oregon. She realized her passion for end-of-life care during her residency, and in 2004, she accepted a position as medical director for Adventist Health Hospice, becoming board certified in palliative medicine in 2006.