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My Willamette

Rev. I. Pearl Adesanya

She/her/hers

University Chaplain; Director of Spiritual and Religious Life

Headshot of Rev. I. Pearl Adesanya

Contact Information

Salem Campus

Address
University Center, Room 215
900 State Street
Salem  Oregon  97301
U.S.A.
Phone
503-370-6302
Email
ipadesanya@willamette.edu

Biography

A highly sought-after spiritual teacher, Adesanya is a contemplative visionary, chaplain, business leader, former construction manager, and capital development director with a passion for expanding the knowledge and awareness of diversity, equity, inclusion, and liberation through educational and co-curricular program leadership and one-on-one spiritual guidance. She is a champion for strengthening understanding of cultural differences, social identities, and historical inequalities to foster a stronger connection to community and shape our leaders of tomorrow. An experienced executive leader and administrator, Adesanya is an exceptional communicator, motivator, and guide with strong interpersonal, conflict management, and public speaking skills. She readily demonstrates the ability to remain calm and exercise sound judgment in stressful situations and to handle crises appropriately. 

Adesanya has served as a spiritual teacher, deeply committed to ecumenically nurturing spiritual and religious growth and supporting broad worldviews and multifaith engagement. She is the immediate past President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chaplaincy Institute, an Interfaith Seminary and Community in Berkeley, California, serves as an associate minister at Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland, and as an Associate Executive Minister of the ABCUSA Central Pacific Coast Region .

Adesanya is completing her Ph.D. in historical and cultural studies of religion, with a concentration in spirituality, at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, where she also completed her MA in religion and psychology. Her dissertation is focused on a womanist approach to Christian spirituality. She also earned a Master of Divinity from the University of Redlands, San Francisco Theological Seminary and a BA in architecture from UC Berkeley.

Education

  • AB - University of California, Berkeley
  • MDiv - San Francisco Theological Seminary, University of Redlands
  • MA - Graduate Theological Union
  • PhD - Graduate Theological Union (in progress)
Willamette University

Office Spiritual and Religious Life

Address
University Center (UC2)
Willamette University
900 State Street
Salem Oregon 97301 U.S.A.
Phone
503-370-6213
Email
chaplain@willamette.edu