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Emily Jendzejec

Assistant Professor of Pastoral Studies

Education

Ph.D. (Theology and Education), Boston College

M.Div., Harvard Divinity School

B.A. (History and Human Development) , Boston College

Departments

  • College of Nursing and Health
  • Loyola Institute for Ministry

Expertise

  • Catholicism
  • Religion

Bio

Emily Jendzejec, Ph.D., specializes in the intersection of Catholic theology, religious education, and young adult ministry. As a religious educator, she is interested in developing transformational experiences that respond to the changing demographics and needs of Christian communities in the twenty-first century. Her research concern focuses on how to engage young adults in faith development in an era characterized by religious disaffiliation and spiritual seeking. Her research in this topic area has been published in refereed journals (Religions, Journal for Catholic Higher Education) and popular publications (Resources,Young Adult Ministry in a Box).

Dr. Jendzejec informs her scholarship through her pastoral experiences. She has worked for a faith-based non-profit in young adult ministries, served as a young adult minister in a Roman Catholic parish, and was a Catholic chaplain on a multifaith college chaplaincy team. In addition to her service with young adults, she has also been the executive director of the Ignatian Spirituality Center, an ecumenical retreat center with a particular focus on supporting spiritual seekers of all faith backgrounds.

Awards

Faculty Award of Excellence
College of Nursing and Health, May 2024
Loyola University New Orleans

                        
                

Affiliations

                
                

College Theology Society

Religious Education Association

The International Association for the Study of Youth Ministry