New York, NY – New York Theological Seminary has announced the appointment
of Dr. Charles Atkins, Jr. as the Director of the Master of
Professional
Studies program at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. Dr. Atkins joins
the core faculty, bringing with him close to two decades of experience
working in ministry, prisons, and academia.
Dr.
Atkins is fluent in French and proficient in Spanish, and he brings
experience in spiritual empowerment and the socio-economic development
of people in Central America, Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean.
"We
are elated by the addition of Dr. Charles Atkins to the NYTS family. He
is a vibrant theological thinker and leader who brings to our faculty
an exceptional set of talents", said Dr. Tamara Henry. We look forward
to the significant contributions he will make as a part of the NYTS
community."
Dr.
Atkins served as an ordained minister and full-time Chaplain with the
New Jersey Department of Corrections. For over 20 years at the Garden
State Youth Correctional Facility, he developed and maintained
programs of overcoming inner and outer violence through the practical
application of spiritual principles methods for incarcerated youth and
young adults. Through this work, he also provided mentor
training for faith-based groups interested in working with returning
citizens.
"I
am excited to welcome Dr. Charles Atkins, Jr. to the NYTS team," said
President Dr. LaKeesha Walrond. "His experience as both an academician
and practitioner is the perfect fit for our MPS students and our
Seminary at-large. I look forward to working with him and eagerly
anticipate his leadership and expertise in this role."
Dr.
Atkins holds a Bachelor of Arts from Haverford College, two master's
degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a doctorate from
the University of Montreal. His doctoral research focused on those
necessary elements that make religious practices effective in leading a
person to spiritual renewal of consciousness while incarcerated. His
work centers on religious practice in incarcerated
communities and is summarized in his forthcoming book, The Word
Confined: Bible Study in an American Prison. (Nova Science Publishers,
2020).
Source: Amaris Cockfield
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