KATHLEEN TALVACCHIA, ED.D.

STAFF CONSULTANT

Kathleen T. Talvacchia (she/her) is an educator, scholar, conflict mediator and spiritual director trained in the contemplative tradition. She is a contextual theologian with interest in practical theology, Christian practices of marginalized communities, and Queer theology. Kathy is passionate about partnering with others through the work of learning, spiritual discernment, and relationship-building in diverse contexts. Both in the classroom and in community settings she is energized when dialogue, engagement across differences, and learning provide a formative experience for creating a more just inclusivity.

Rooted in the ministry of scholarship and teaching for over 25 years, she was previously on the faculty of Union Theological Seminary, where she worked in the area of ministerial formation and vocational discernment. Kathy also served as Associate Dean at New York University Graduate School of Arts and Science, which honed her conflict management skills and widened her understanding of the many ways to educate students to serve the common good.

She is thoroughly grounded in Jesuit education and spirituality and finds its wisdom to be centering. She did her undergraduate work at Saint Joseph’s University and a master’s degree in religious education from Boston College. Her doctoral work was completed in Religion and Education in the joint doctoral program at Teachers College Columbia University and Union Theological Seminary. She also holds a certificate in Conflict Resolution from the University of Massachusetts-Boston and a certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation.

Kathy identifies as a queer, cis-gender, Italian American progressive Catholic woman. She loves sports, as well as opera, walking along the beach, and with her partner, playing with their grandchildren and grand-puppy.