Dr. Arturo Chávez currently serves as the Associate Vice President for Mission at the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) in San Antonio, TX. He develops, supports, and oversees the University’s DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs and initiatives. Previously, he served as the President of MACC, the Mexican American Catholic College – also in San Antonio, Texas. He helped transition MACC from a Cultural Center to a Catholic College that offers B.A. and M.A. degrees in Pastoral Ministry in partnership with UIW. The unique degree plans are offered bilingually to meet the growing needs of Latinos for higher education, especially for service in faith communities. Over the years, Dr. Chávez has also served as a teacher, youth minister, a chaplain to the incarcerated, and a community organizer. He founded a nonprofit youth organization called JOVEN and was instrumental in establishing other faith-based partnerships to address the urgent needs of immigrants, formerly incarcerated people, and families who are poor, unsheltered, and disenfranchised. Nationally recognized for these efforts to combat racism and poverty, President Obama appointed him – along with 24 other national leaders – to serve on the inaugural White House Council for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships in 2009. Dr. Chávez holds a B.A. in Religious Studies from the University of Incarnate Word, a Masters degree from Oblate School of Theology of the Southwest, and a Ph.D. in Religious and Theological Studies, from the University of Denver and the Iliff School of Theology, with a focus on the relationship between religion and social change.
