HTI Staff

Joanne Rodríguez

Executive Director

Rev. Joanne Rodríguez is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church USA, since 2011. From 1999, she has worked collaboratively with students, faculty, deans, directors of non-profit educational programs, and presidents to ensure that HTI doctoral students complete their doctoral studies and become leaders that make an impact in theological and religious education as well as in the larger landscape of education. Rev. Rodríguez received her Th.M. (2002) and M.Div. (1999) from Princeton Theological Seminary, and her B.A. (1986) from Pace University. She is a teaching elder at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Trenton, New Jersey.

Email: Joanne.Rodriguez@ptsem.edu

Ángela Schoepf

Associate Director of Operations

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

João Chaves

Associate Director for Programming

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

Suzette Aloyo

Office Assistant

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

Database Research Assistant

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

Carlos Acosta

Student Aide

Carlos is a senior MDiv student at Princeton Theological Seminary. He is a Chicano California native born and raised in the Harbor Region of Los Angeles County. In 2018, he earned his BA in Psychology at Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California. Carlos considers himself a budding biblical scholar whose research interests are influenced by his faith-shattering and faith-edifying experiences in the academy. Wanting to teach in Christian higher education and publish in his field, Carlos is intent on pursuing a PhD in biblical studies. Upon graduating at the end of the 2021/22 academic year, Carlos hopes to return to PTS as a ThM candidate.

Amanda Calderon

Student Aide

Amanda Calderon is a second-year MDiv student at Princeton Theological Seminary. Being born and raised in Philadelphia PA, Amanda received her bachelor’s degree in Education from Temple University. She has loved being part of the HTI family this past year and hopes to work in education in the Latinx Community.

Isabel Gonzalez

Student Aide

Isabel is a second-year MDiv student at Princeton Theological Seminary. She comes from Reading, Pennsylvania and graduated from Messiah University with a bachelor’s in Biblical and Religious Studies and English. Prior to working as a student aide, Isabel worked with HTI during the Professional Development Conference for several years. Her connection to the HTI staff solidified her decision to attend Princeton Theological Seminary. Isabel hopes to contribute to empowering the Latinx community through her work at HTI.

Mavet Sarai Mendez

Student Aide

Mavet Sarai Mendez is a second-year MDiv student at Princeton Theological Seminary. She was raised in Plainfield, New Jersey, and is of Guatemalan descent. Sarai received her bachelor’s in Psychology from Kean University and is hoping to work in the mental health field within the Latines 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 the different ways in which Latines voices are being used.