Welcome!
Pathways@CTU is a new living-learning community for young adults, especially those from Hispanic/Latin@, African American, Asian American/Pacific Islander, LGBTQ+, and other marginalized groups, who are passionate about co-creating the Church of tomorrow.
Pathways@CTU empowers students to create the kind of community programming that reflects the changing needs of the Church, while preparing for ministry that focuses on justice and activism.
Over the course of two years, Pathways students will earn a Master’s degree while receiving:
- Full-tuition scholarship
- Graduate assistantship with stipend
- Intentional community living with housing provided
- Integrated personal and community formation
- Leadership development
Degree: MDiv
Hometown: Colombia/Quindio
Undergraduate Institution: University la Gran Colombia / General Law
What do you like to do in your free time? Cycling, Running, cooking
What is a sacred moment from your Pathways experience? For my the most sacred moments is when we gather for theological reflections, because we come together as a family, opening our hearts and sharing our feelings
What are you looking forward to this year for Pathways? becoming a stronger community, and grow as lay woman the call of God serving and counseling who needs me
What is a hope you have for the Church in the world? My hope for the Church in the world is that it will work with all communities, with leaders who are more open to change and who live in true solidarity with others.
Degree: Hispanic Theology and Ministry
Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
Undergraduate Institution: Marquette University — bachelor’s in Social Welfare and Justice
What do you like to do in your free time? In my free time I like to explore new places and spend time with friends.
What is a sacred moment from your Pathways experience? A special memory of Pathways is our pasta making class hosted by Randall at our house; it was great seeing everyone enjoy making pasta and creating great memories together.
What are you looking forward to this year for Pathways? Building community and learning from each other about our different experiences in our theology classes.
What is a hope you have for the Church in the world? More representation within the Church so people can identify with it and feel more welcomed and cared for.
Degree: Master of Divinity
Hometown: Sanford, NC
Undergraduate Institution: DePaul University — Network Engineering & Security (Major) + Catholic Studies (Minor)
What do you like to do in your free time? Listening to music & exploring the city.
What are you looking forward to this year for Pathways? Growing spiritually with the community and new mentors!
What is a hope you have for the Church in the world? That the Church becomes a more welcoming space and is more equipped to serve marginalized communities.
Degree: Master of Divinity
Hometown: Lexington, KY
Undergraduate Institution: Marian University — Major in Psychology; minors in Philosophy and Pastoral Leadership
What do you like to do in your free time? Reading, playing guitar, gardening or doing something outside, and occasionally rock climbing.
What are you looking forward to this year for Pathways? Being involved in the Preaching Slam for Saint Phoebe’s feast day and the Ignatian Family Teach-In.
What is a sacred moment from your Pathways experience? Our first theological reflection this year included all Pathways students from last year; sharing a meal and reflecting together was very special.
What is a hope you have for the Church in the world? That the Church grows in unity and, with a renewed longing for justice, works in charity and solidarity with those on the margins.
Degree: Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies (MAPS)
Hometown: Matteson, IL
Undergraduate Institution: DePaul University — BFA in Film & Television (Creative Producing); minor in Cinematography
What do you like to do in your free time? Watching movies, spending time with loved ones, writing poetry, camping, hiking, volunteering, and going on adventures.
What is a sacred moment from your Pathways experience? A pasta-making masterclass at home with roommates—music, laughter, and shared joy.
What are you looking forward to this year for Pathways? Seeing what each Pathways student creates and advancing a mission to empower women in ministry and foster spiritual spaces where the LGBTQIA+ community feels safe, accepted, and welcomed.
What is a hope you have for the Church in the world? That the Church fully accepts and appreciates the diversity of its believers, with intentional inclusion of women in leadership and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Degree: Master of Arts in Hispanic Theology and Ministry
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Undergraduate Institution: Dominican University — B.A. in Sociology and Study of Women & Gender; minor in Latinx American Studies
What do you like to do in your free time? Spending time with family and friends and taking long walks with my dog along the Lakefront Trail.
What is a sacred moment from your Pathways experience? The friendships formed in Pathways and the shared hopes and passions for co-creating the Church of tomorrow.
What are you looking forward to this year for Pathways? Living in the new apartment with fellow Pathways students and our big event of the school year.
What is a hope you have for the Church in the world? Seeing women step into greater roles of leadership in the Church.
Degree: Hispanic Theology and Ministry
Hometown: Joliet, IL
Undergraduate Institution: Lewis University — Early Childhood Education
What do you like to do in your free time? Watch K-Dramas and anime, read fiction, and play sports.
What are you looking forward to this year for Pathways? Continuing to discern my place and building my ministry.
What is a hope you have for the Church in the world? That everyone has a space and community where they feel welcomed and can be who they truly are.
The application for the Pathways@CTU living-learning community can be completed in the ‘Additional Questions’ section of the master’s degree application. The priority deadline is February 1.
Requirements include:
- One reference: Please provide a reference from someone who can directly speak to your interest and potential to grow in the areas of leadership, community and commitment to issues of justice (this may also serve as a reference for your degree application).
- Interview: Applicants will be contacted upon submission of their application.
- Essay: Please provide an additional 500 word essay that addresses the following:
- Your interest in the Pathways@CTU Living Learning Community
- Your experience of and hopes for leadership in the Church
- Previous experience(s) of community life and formation and your understanding of the relationship between community and theological formation
Once you click the above pop-up, click any of the colorful arrows on the game board to learn more about that topic!
Karen Ross, PhD (she/her/ella) is a graduate program director, theology and ethics professor, and yoga and mindfulness instructor. She currently works as the director of the Pathways@CTU program, which seeks to engage and empower young people- especially those from marginalized communities- in co-creating the church of tomorrow. She received her PhD in theology and ethics from Loyola University Chicago. Her teaching and research focuses on feminist ethics and Catholic sexuality education, particularly of young women and girls.
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Pathways@CTU is an initiative made possible by the Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative, a three-phase initiative designed to help theological schools across the United States and Canada as they prioritize and respond to the most pressing challenges they face as they prepare pastoral leaders for Christian congregations both now and into the future.
Karen Ross, PhD
Director
A Pathway for Tomorrow: Co-Creating the Church of Tomorrow at CTU
