Staff

Benjamin Chicka

Benjamin Chicka, transportation assistant, is a deeply philosophical apophatic theologian in the tradition of Duns Scotus, Paul Tillich, and Robert Neville. His doctoral research focuses on the value of fallibility in religious rationality by setting up a triangular relation between an indeterminate concept of what it is to be ultimate that intersects with religious pluralism and science. The benefit of such an inquiry quest through various religious traditions and scientific disciplines is the assurance of religious truth precisely in adaptation rather than absolute propositions. The result is religious life that is both dangerous and reassuring as truth will be found in life's upheavals.

Tripp Fuller

Tripp Fuller, public relations coordinator, is married to an awesome lady Alecia and has a handsome little baby boy named Elgin Thomas (aka E.T.) and Pebbles, the Schnoodle. He and Alecia are both graduates of Campbell University (where they met), the Divinity School of Wake Forest University and ordained ministers. He is working on his PhD in Philosophy of Religion and Theology at Claremont Graduate University.

Deena Lin

Deena Lin, conference assistant, is currently working on her Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion and Theology at Claremont Graduate University. She received her B.A. in Philosophy at the University of San Francisco in 2000, and her M.A. in Religious Studies at Claremont Graduate University in 2007. Her research interests are in philosophical theology, poststructuralist thought, mystical theology and comparative religion. For her dissertation, she is intersecting poststructuralist philosophy and mystical theology as a means for reflective thought and action.

Ashley Riordan

Ashley Riordan, travel coordinator, is a student at Claremont School of Theology. She is currently working on an MA in theological studies, and will begin doctoral studies in philosophy of religion and theology in the fall. Ashley is interested in process theology, feminist theology, and questions regarding power, human agency, and the nature of God.

Andrea Stephenson

Andrea Stephenson, conference coordinator, is a PhD student in the Philosophy of Religion and Theology at Claremont Graduate University. After receiving her BA in Psychology from Juniata College, she attended Drew Theological School where she achieved an MDiv and decided to pursue a PhD with the hopes of teaching theology at a small, liberal arts undergraduate college or at a seminary. After working in the church for a number of years as an assistant minister and as a youth director, Andrea is dedicated to giving ministers the tools they need to become aware of their own theology, to avoid "bad" theology, and to make their congregations theologically responsible. She is working on her dissertation, a post-structuralist theology of spirit.