Meet the Team

Sam is a native of “Scratch Out,” Arkansas—more officially known as New Edinburg, population 127—and comes to Candler with experience serving in both the church and the academy. He earned his MTS from Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology, and is currently finishing up his PhD in Christian theology at Yale, with a focus on the work of the Holy Spirit. He’s served churches in Texas as an associate pastor and as a director of music and media. Outside the office, Sam enjoys, well, being outside, including cycling and snow skiing. And if you’re looking for some good background music while you complete your application, just get him on speaker phone—he moonlighted as a professional pianist in college and can play most anything by ear, with a sweet spot in his soul for jazz, gospel and Johnny Cash. But you may want to come visit in person: Sam always (“ALWAYS,” he stresses) has candy in his office. Jelly beans, anyone?

Hailing from Fort Wayne, Indiana, Jennifer knows the Candler student experience well: she graduated in 2019 with her MDiv plus a concentration in Justice, Peacebuilding, and Conflict Transformation (JPACT) and a certificate in Religious Education. Before studying at Candler, Jennifer graduated from Bluffton University with her BA in international studies. She’s served in nonprofits, churches, hospitals, and schools—including three years in rural public schools and four years as a private school chaplain.

Jennifer grew up in the Mennonite tradition and now attends an ELCA congregation in Atlanta. When she’s not connecting with prospective Candler students, you can find her closing in on a two-year Wordle streak with her partner and playing with her 13-year-old Havanese “puppy” Colby. She also loves to travel, bake, do yoga, read (favorite book: Sue Monk Kidd’s The Book of Longings), and spend time with friends.

Kathryn is a Georgia native through and through. She hails from Lilburn, just outside Atlanta, graduated from UGA in 2011 with a BA in history (go Dawgs!), and earned her MDiv from Candler in 2022. She’s seeking ordination as a deacon in the North Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church. We call her Kathryn, but she’s “Aunt Kat” to her three wonderful nephews and one niece. If you want to talk about anything pop culture related, Kathryn is your go-to. When she’s not in the admissions office, you’ll likely find her rewatching her favorite shows, listening to Dolly Parton’s greatest hits, or working on embroidery projects.

Ty’Reanna grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and earned her BS in psychology from Bethune-Cookman University, her MDiv from Candler, and her DMin from Memphis Theological Seminary, where her research examined photography as a form of preaching. Ordained in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, she’s also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Outside of work, Ty’Reanna is a professional Lego collector and enjoys true crime documentaries (her alternate career? Being a detective on Law and Order: SVU). She’s also a fan of museums, mood boards, vinyl collecting, and blissful silence.

Tayler is a native Texan, though Georgia has been his home since he moved here for his MDiv at Candler. He previously earned his BS in communication studies from the University of Texas at Austin (Hook ’em Horns!). Tayler has served in variety of ministry settings including nonprofits, youth ministry, campus ministry, and in the local church as a pastor-in-charge. In his free time, Tayler loves playing sports, making the perfect cup of coffee, and hosting people with his wife, Courtney, and their golden retriever, Boone.

Originally from San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Michael graduated from Florida’s Saint Leo University, where he majored in computer science and worked as an admissions ambassador. Both experiences now serve him well in his role as Candler’s admissions data coordinator! Outside of the office, Michael enjoys puzzles, playing games (both board and card), and is a fan of strategy shows like Survivor and Big Brother. Fun fact: he’s also an identical twin!

Candler Housing Coordinator

Hometown: Florence, Alabama

Denomination: United Methodist

Vocational Goals: I’m on the elder track in North Alabama Conference of The United Methodist Church, and very interested in improving the experiences of clergy family members and lay staff members in our UMC churches.

Fun Fact: I lived in Ghana for two years as a Peace Corps volunteer at a school for the deaf.

What do you love about Candler? I love the breathing room available for students to ask uncomfortable questions, learn the hard way, and create relationships with people of different backgrounds and understandings.

What do you love about Atlanta? Atlanta has everything you could ever want and more. 

Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee

Denomination: Not religious

Vocational Goals: Diplomatic work focusing on religious conflict.

Fun Fact: My wisdom teeth are in the bottom of the Spree River in Berlin. 

What do you love about Candler? Candler provides a warm, welcoming environment where students can actively pursue their passions and truly grow!

What do you love about Atlanta? It’s where Candler is!

Hometown: Houma, Louisiana

Denomination: Church of God in Christ

Vocational Goals: The synergy between religion and education, teaching, and social justice.

Fun Fact: I was the president of the first HBCU Polo team, and I still play polo.

What do you love about Candler? My favorite two places are school and church, and Candler feels like both every day.

What do you love about Atlanta? The cultural Representation of Excellence. 

Senior Intern

Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida

Denomination: United Methodist

Vocational Goals: I’m on the elder track in the Florida Conference of the UMC. I’m interested in polity changes, making the church (as people and the building) a safe space for those who’ve been historically unwelcome. 

Fun Fact: I collect depression glass, specifically pink and blue (but I’m hoping to expand!). OH, and I love Coca-Cola. The flavors, the marketing strategies… So I also collect Coca-Cola merchandise. Glassware, vinyls (shoutout Hilltop commercial of ’71), makeup, clothes, you name it! 

What do you love about Candler? Candler offers courses and experiences that push us to be better to each other. I’ve been able to take classes of diverse topics that I never dreamed I’d get to take, especially not at a theology school. Candler’s intentional care around Formation set me up to be part of deeply bonded friend groups, something I also never anticipated actually experiencing in life. In short, Candler helped me find my people and to be of The People.

What do you love about Atlanta? The diversity! The city! There are so many little pockets within Atlanta (and outside of what is “officially” Atlanta) and they reflect so many different cultures. The food is especially delicious. I feel like I can be myself in this city.

Hometown: Stillwater, Oklahoma

Denomination: N/A

Vocational Goals: Campus ministry, nonprofit work, possible pursuit of a PhD.

Fun Fact: I worked at a kimchi product start-up in a Switzerland basement for one week.

What do you love about Candler? The hospitality, the commitment to academic excellence, and the resources for spiritual formation.

What do you love about Atlanta? It always seems like there is something to do which I am really grateful for! AND the food scene has been amazing so far.

Hometown: Tyrone, Georgia

Denomination: Baptist

Vocational Goals: Pastoring, church finance and administration, legal consulting.

Fun Fact: I have a great sense of direction. I only use maps the first time I visit a place and then I can drive there without GPS forever.

What do you love about Candler? I love the community. The students and faculty are all so warm and welcoming and I love getting to know new people every semester.  

What do you love about Atlanta? It’s home. I’ve lived here for most of my life, and it has such a rich culture. I love the food, the music, the sports, and how many different things there are to do. To me it’s the best city in the country.

Hometown: Los Angeles, California

Denomination: Unaffiliated

Vocational Goals: Empowering marginalized groups at the intersection of faith and artistic expression. 

Fun Fact: I am a second-degree black belt in Shōtōkan karate!

What do you love about Candler? There are no strangers at Candler. People respect each other’s space and boundaries while still reassuring that there is a consistent community that emphasizes care and comfort above all. 

What do you love about Atlanta?I could truly write a dissertation on all the reasons I love Atlanta and would fail to convey all of its greatness. Please talk to me about Atlanta!

Hometown: Lindale, Georgia

Denomination: United Methodist

Vocational Goals: I’m on the elder track in Alabama West-Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church. I’m interested in helping bring the UMC into the 21st century and appropriately minister to the next generation.  

Fun Fact: I’ve been playing volleyball for over half of my life (since I was ten)! 

What do you love about Candler? The community! I feel like I have found true friendships and people that I will be connected with for life. Additionally, I really enjoy the professors and their emphasis on discussion both inside and outside of the classroom.

What do you love about Atlanta? There are so many things to do in Atlanta, and always a new place to try! 

Hometown: McComb, Mississippi

Denomination: Episcopal Church

Vocational Goals: I am currently pursuing ordination in the Episcopal Church. I desire to help all people contemplate and explore God as God is revealed to them, help plant seeds of hope and justice, and remind people that God is still present even in times of despair. 

Fun Fact: I love iconography, Indian food, sweet tea, and an evening cup of coffee.

What do you love about Candler? The community! I feel like no one is a stranger, and it is such a special feeling to be known by and to also know so many fantastic people. 

What do you love about Atlanta? THE CULTURE! I love being surrounded by so many different languages, cuisines, backgrounds.

Hometown: Cleveland, Tennessee

Denomination: Church of God

Vocational Goals: I am currently exploring the role and potential of theological education in environments of Christian formation and caregiving, specifically in local churches and chaplaincy settings. I anticipate my vocational “next steps” to emerge from this exploration. 

Fun Fact: When I am not studying or working, there is a good chance you will find me in gamer mode. Whether it is on the Switch or the PC, I love immersing myself in virtual adventures. Even though I do this for plain fun, I also think the fictional worlds of video games prompt players to invest in fruitful theological reflections. 

What do you love about Candler? Candler’s faculty and staff devote their efforts not only to accumulating educative resources for students but also to making those resources accessible. Whether you want help kickstarting a research project, need a connection to land an internship, or need someone to accompany you in your vocational discernment, everything is within reach. Faculty and staff delight in investing in you. 

What do you love about Atlanta? There are so many nature and hiking trails nearby!

Hometown: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Vocational Goals: Peacebuilding and reconciliation. 

Fun Fact: Some people say that I speak with a hint of Irish/ British accent, and I don’t even know how I acquired it. Having spent two years here in the States, I still haven’t got rid of it (not that I tried). 

What do you love about Candler? The people.

What do you love about Atlanta? The richness of its history and diversity of the society.

Hometown: Montgomery, Alabama

Denomination: Nondenominational

Vocational Goals: I am passionate about the intersection of faith and justice and hope to live that out through writing, teaching, and continuing my work in both collegiate ministry and in churches.  

Fun Fact: I started an adult kickball team. 

What do you love about Candler? The professors are always willing to meet with you and help you navigate through your seminary journey and beyond. 

What do you love about Atlanta? The food! There is always a new place to try and explore!

Hometown: Seoul, South Korea

Denomination: Presbyterian

Vocational Goals: Empowering healthy marriages and nurturing families. 

Fun Fact: I use the back of my hand to apply lotion or sunscreen on my face.

What do you love about Candler? The faculty, Contextual Education, and events!

What do you love about Atlanta? The climate, the culture, and the food.