NYTS Welcomes New Professor, Dr. Rafael Reyes III

President Lakeesha Walrond and Dean Efrain Agosto are pleased to announce that the New York Theological Seminary Faculty and Board have approved the appointment of Dr. Rafael Reyes III as Assistant Professor of Theology and Religious Studies and Director of Information Literacy and Library Services. Dr. Reyes will begin his appointment on July 1, 2019.

Dr. Reyes is no stranger to NYTS, having completed his Master of Divinity with the Seminary in 2008.  He also holds degrees from Alliance Theological Seminary (MA, 2004) and Drew University Theological School (STM, 2010).  At the Claremont School of Theology in California, Dr. Reyes completed a Master of Arts in Religion (2016), as well as his PhD with a focus on Philosophy, Theology and Process Thought (May 2019). His dissertation was entitled, “Open Receptacles: Imagination in Continental and Process Thought, and the Opening of Religious Pluralism.” In this study, Dr. Reyes explores the role imagination and relationality plays in discussions on religious pluralism and dialogue.

In his new role at NYTS, Dr. Reyes will teach in the area of Constructive Theology, strengthening our offerings in that area. He will also administer library services and information literacy, which includes overseeing the writing center and making sure our students have the help they need to do good theological research and writing.  In considering coming back to NYTS, but this time as a faculty member, Dr. Reyes commented, “As a scholar who writes and teaches on the wisdom religions offer, I value that NYTS is ecumenical and increasingly multifaith, engaging Christianity with the rest of the world and its religious expressions.” He looks forward to engaging our students in these important conversations.

Rafael Reyes III is married to Vanessa Rios-Reyes and together they have three young boys. We are excited that Rafael will be joining the NYTS faculty and our broader community this summer.