HTI Staff

A native Colombian, Ángela joined HTI in 1999, after a career working for multinational companies. The transition required a bit of adjustment, but soon Ángela developed a deep passion for HTI’s mission, through the stories of the now more than 160 scholars she has worked for. Ángela is a graduate of Universidad Colegio Mayor de Cundinamarca and Institución Universitaria Politécnico Grancolombiano, with Bachelor’s degrees in business and languages and computer sciences. She sees in each one of the graduates a role model for her daughter.

Email: Angela.Schoepf@ptsem.edu

A native of Brazil, João brings to the HTI team a unique combination of experiences in the church, academia, and business world. Over the last two decades, he planted and led churches, taught college classes, and managed businesses in the hospitality, food, and construction industries. João holds a Ph.D. in religion from Baylor University, and is the author of four books and several peer-reviewed articles. In addition, João currently serves as the Unit Chair for Latinx Religions at the AAR Southwest, as co-director of the Baptist Scholars International Roundtable, and as a member of the Commission on Racial, Gender, and Economic Justice of the Baptist World Alliance, 2020-2025 Quinquennium. He is co-editor of the Perspectives on Baptist Identities Series, published by Mercer University Press.

Email: joao.chaves@ptsem.edu

Vanessa Ríos Valentín is a Humanist Chaplain & Celebrant with over two decades of experience as an educator, conference speaker, and training instructor. Additionally, she has worked as a hospice chaplain as well as a crisis counselor. Vanessa received her B.A. in psychology from Montclair State University; M.Div. with specialization in Chaplaincy from Claremont School of Theology; and is currently a Ph.D. student in Depth Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute. Vanessa aspires to carry out HTI’s mission of cultivating Latinx leadership with a holistic approach in the areas of community, education, and mental health.

Email: Vanessa.RiosValentin@ptsem.edu

Suzette Aloyo, a descendent of Puerto Rican parents, grew up in the Bronx, New York.  The majority of Suzette’s career was spent in the legal field.  First as a paralegal in corporations then 13 years in a prominent NY law firm working on trusts & estates, corporate and labor law.  Moving to the Princeton area in 2000, Suzette has been aware and a part of the Princeton Theological Seminary community through her husband, Rev. Dr. Victor Aloyo, Jr.  Over the past seventeen years, Suzette has also served as administrative assistant and office manager at a couple of area organizations. She looks forward to bringing to HTI her talents and skill set to further the objectives of the program.

Email: Suzette.Aloyo@ptsem.edu

Noreen Santos, who is Puerto Rican, was born and raised in the Bronx, New York.  Graduating with a BS in Business Administration, Noreen worked as a programmer/analyst, 13 years in NYC’s Financial District. Always involved in church from young, she accepted God’s calling on her life to enter Princeton Theological Seminary obtaining her MDiv in ’02. Afterward, she served the Presbyterian Church of the Redeemer of East Brooklyn as pastor for 16 years. As the church experience ended, seeking God’s guidance brought her back to familiar ground, Hispanic Theological Seminary where she worked as a student aide while enrolled at PTS. She looks forward to working with the HTI in meeting their goals.

Email:  Noreen.Santos@ptsem.edu

Johanna Romano Matos is a first-year M.Div. student at Princeton Theological Seminary. She was born in New Brunswick NJ, however, raised in Somerset, NJ. Johanna obtained her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Kean University. Although she is an entering student, she has grown a strong bond with the HTI department and is looking forward to working with HTI for the following years of her M.Div. program.

Mavet Sarai Mendez is a senior MDiv student at Princeton Theological Seminary and a junior MSW student at Rutgers University. She was raised in Plainfield, New Jersey, and is first generation Guatemalan-American. Sarai received her bachelor’s in Psychology from Kean University and is hoping to work in the mental health field within the Latine community. Sarai’s faith is integral to her vocational and ministry formation as a long-standing leader within the life of the church. Sarai enjoys being a part of the HTI familia and is excited to learn more about her community and how Latine voices are being used to empower and nurture community. 

Adriana Soto Acevedo is a first-year MDiv student at Princeton Theological Seminary. She was born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, but was raised in Barceloneta, PR. She obtained a B.A. in Psychology and a Minor in Linguistics at the University of Puerto Rico in her native city of Mayagüez. Adriana is a young woman dedicated to opening spaces for the deconstruction of colonialism, racism, and machismo inside the church. She aspires to pursue a Ph.D. in the future and is thrilled to become a part of the HTI community.