Joryán Hernández is a Ph.D. student in Peace Studies and Theology specializing in Moral Theology and Christian Ethics who always enjoys a strong cup of cafecito. He holds an M.Div. and Certificate in Latinx Studies from Vanderbilt University and a B.A. degree in Religion from the University of Florida. His master’s thesis explored how pastoral care could be used to alleviate the traumas of displacement and present theologies of hope in and for Latinx communities in a holistic way that acknowledges the different lived experiences of immigrants.
As a Ph.D. student, Joryán plans to build upon his master’s work and explore how theologies of resistance can actualize radical changes to repressive conditions in authoritarian regimes. His goal is to create awareness within religious institutions of the harm endured by those they are called to serve, encourage them to better serve their community, and include them in the political process of liberating Latinxs from immutable governments. Joryán has a dream of being both a scholar and an activist so that whatever he produces in the academy is reflective of the real lived experiences of people on the ground. A 1.5-generation Cuban immigrant himself, Joryán believes that a better future must be imagined, as José Martí said, “Con todos y para el bien de todos.”
Joryán was awarded the Joseph Gaia Distinguished Fellowship in Latino Studies.