HTI Internship Testimonials

“Hosting an HTI Intern through ACHTUS allowed us to both accomplish significant goals set for the year as well as respond in creative ways to the pandemics of COVID-19 and racial injustice. As a not-for-profit organization with no paid staff, the HTI internship program provided a wonderful intern to do work which would otherwise not be done for the organization. Jose Santana worked with a webmaster to complete a revamp of our website as well as update social media accounts to all. Furthermore, when we were forced into social distancing and into making decisions about our annual colloquium, having an HTI Intern allowed us to be creative about informal meeting space, which even allowed for a partnership with another organization. We are so grateful for the HTI Intern program and hope to host interns in the future!”

Dr. Noemi De Anda, Supervisor

President, ACHTUS

Through the HTI internship program, I had the opportunity to work with HYLA, a leadership formation initiative for United Methodist high school and college students. I served as a Regional Coordinator for HYLA and was tasked with implementing a summer academy for high school students in the South-Central Jurisdiction of the UMC. In partnership with Dr. Paul Barton at Perkins School of Theology, we developed a rich program exploring the history of Hispanic Methodism in the United States, issues of discernment and vocation, and the importance of higher education. When the pandemic hit, we had to switch quickly to an online format for the July Academy that would be appropriate and engaging for high school youth. Through the support of HTI, I was able to use my organizational, teaching, and leadership skills in partnership with a Latino professor at one of our United Methodist seminaries. Together we worked to impact the formation of Hispanic youth, a demographic largely underserved in my denomination. Not only are doctoral students like myself able to use and develop our skills, network with senior scholars, and increase capacity for partnering institutions, but also, we are changing the face of the leadership in our denominations!

Raquel Feagins

HTI Intern, HYLA

“I was given the opportunity to work with Dr. Ahida Pilarski, Associate Professor of Theology and Special Assistant to the President for Diversity and Inclusiveness at Saint Anselm College during the Hispanic Summer Program (HSP).  I worked closely with Dr. Pilarski to introduce students to a variety of responses from Latine scholars to issues of immigration in biblical texts. It was a delight to see our students develop through the intensive course. Beyond the time with our engaged, thoughtful students, I was truly fortunate to work with Dr. Pilarski.  Although I already had previous teaching experiences, this experience was different because Dr. Pilarski’s mentorship helped me to grow as a Latine teacher and scholar in a way I have not experienced in other teaching roles in my home institution. Many thanks to Dr. Pilarski, our students, HSP, HTI, and Lilly Endowment Inc., for providing this incredible opportunity!

Chauncy Handy

HTI Intern, HSP

For the past year, I have had the pleasure of working at the Association for Hispanic Theological Education (AETH) through an internship program with the Hispanic Theological Initiative (HTI). Through this internship I have had access to a broad network of scholars and administrators in theological education. I have learned to facilitate diverse communities of practice implementing a “teologia en conjunto.” Amidst the challenges of teaching during a global pandemic, we have found creative ways to support each other and to share resources that enhance our ministry and academic work. On a personal level this internship has helped me build my profession and academic work experience. I am learning to be more effectively articulate and market my educational skills in spaces outside of the classroom. AETH has been a vital partner for pastors, religious institutions, non-profits, seminaries and program leaders of Hispanic ministries looking for ways to improve theological education and impact the lives of their congregations and communities. I am eager to continue learning about the work of AETH in theological education and I am grateful to HTI for the opportunities granted through their internship program.”

Patricia Bonilla

HTI Intern, AETH

While many scholars will someday serve on the board of an academic organization, few of us receive administrative preparation to do so in our graduate programs. The ACHTUS internship, through HTI, enabled me to learn various organizational functions and responsibilities through assisting with the publication of the JHLT, planning for the annual colloquium, collaborating in the redesign of the ACHTUS website, and managing the promotion of ACHTUS through social media. Additionally, the opportunity to meet and work with many of the scholars involved with the organization not only expanded my own personal network, but also helped me to envision myself continuing to work with ACHTUS in the future. I am very grateful to HTI and to ACHTUS for coming together to provide this opportunity to students!

Jose Santana

HTI Intern, ACHTUS