The Rev. Dr. Dhawn B. Martin will join the faculty at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary

LOUISVILLE — Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary announced Tuesday that the Rev. Dr. Dhawn B. Martin will join the faculty as Assistant Professor of Theology beginning July 1.

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Martin brings a deep and dynamic commitment to the intersections of faith, theology, politics, and civic engagement — an intellectual and vocational journey that began with her undergraduate studies in political science at Wellesley College. A Rotary Ambassadorial International Scholar, she studied Western European political and economic integration at Durham University in the United Kingdom before returning to the U.S. to pursue a Master of Divinity at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. She earned her doctoral degree in theology from Drew University in 2013.

Over the past decade, Martin has taught theology at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, and served as Visiting Assistant Professor of Theology at Hanover College. In 2016, she became Executive Director of the Source of Light (SoL) Center — an interfaith adult education initiative housed at University Presbyterian Church in San Antonio. There, she developed ecumenical programming, fostered interfaith dialogue, and helped build meaningful connections across faith communities. She also served with San Antonio’s Faith-Based Initiative and on the board of the San Antonio Community Resource Directory.

In 2024, Martin was appointed Manager of the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), a role that continues to shape her understanding of public theology as lived practice.

"Louisville Seminary has a rich history of theological teaching and scholarship that seek to demonstrate how the traditions and historical witness of Christian faith matter, crucially, for the urgent challenges of today," commented Dr. Christopher Elwood, Professor of Historical Theology and search committee chair. He adds, "Dr. Martin promises to extend and expand our capacity to do this, and to do it even more effectively in situations of real crisis. Those of us who have spent time with her are struck by her skills of clear articulation and bridge-building — particularly her interest in overcoming the divides between doctrinal and constructive theology, doctrine and the experiential components of mysticism, theological reflection and the embodiment of worship and liturgy. We welcome the fresh air she brings our way as we continue to embody the strengths we are known for."

"Rev. Dr. Dhawn Martin’s appointment continues the LPTS tradition of welcoming faculty who bring a multitude of gifts and graces into the LPTS community," noted the Dean of the Seminary, the Rev. Dr. Debra Mumford. "In addition to being a gifted teacher and theologian whose knowledge includes a broad range of theological terrain, she is also a public theologian committed to personally living out her faith and inspiring our students to do the same. We are excited to have her join our community in the fall.”

The Rev. Dr. Andrew D. Pomerville, president of Louisville Seminary, said, "Dr. Martin's experience stretches beyond the traditional boundaries of the academy and the church. She has engaged in tremendous ministry that is grounded in deep theological work. She will be such an amazing addition to our LPTS community and I am delighted to see where she will lead us through her scholarship, teaching, and witness."

Reflecting on her new role, Martin said, "During our current socio-political predicament, I can think of no more important place to be at work than LPTS. This community’s commitment to justice, equity, welcome, and inclusion offer a vision of God’s kin-dom for which the world hungers. To think theologically in this fraught moment, to embody the radical and transformative hospitality of Jesus the Christ, and to learn together just how God is calling us to be hands and hearts that resist cruelty, oppression, and exploitation — these are the gifts my appointment to the LPTS faculty provides me, gifts for which I am profoundly grateful.”