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?

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. 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.

Tayler is a native Texan, though he likes to claim that he’s a Georgia boy now. Having spent his life bouncing between a farm and the beach, he thinks this has given him the perfect balance of diligent work and living in the moment. He earned his BS in communication studies from the University of Texas at Austin (Hook ’em Horns!) and his MDiv from Candler. Tayler has served in variety of ministry settings including nonprofits, youth ministry, campus ministry, and in the local church as a pastor-in-charge. Outside of the office, Tayler loves going to baseball games, watching college football, playing trivia, hiking, making the perfect cup of coffee, and just being with people (or dogs). His Enneagram 2 personality is especially evident in his work here at Candler, as he is genuinely invested in helping others.

Tammy comes to Candler’s Office of Admissions and Financial Aid team from Prairie View, Texas, where she served in Prairie View A&M University’s admissions office for over 10 years. She holds an MS degree in higher education/student affairs, a BS in early childhood education, and a PhD in educational leadership. Tammy describes her scholarship as “devoted to advocating for the marginalized,” and her research explores DEI issues around women and men of color in academia, LGBTQ+ students, and financial aid access at HBCUs.

When she’s not working or studying, Tammy enjoys reading (two of her favorites are Du Bois’s The Souls of Black Folk and Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina), spending time with her loveable pups Foxie Brown and Kawala Bear, traveling, and eating cake (especially buttery yellow cake with chocolate frosting). And if you want to improve your crossword skills, let her know! She’s a self-proclaimed fanatic of the game Word Crossy, and has a nightly ritual of solving no fewer than five puzzles before she goes to sleep.

Keila calls two places home: the Home of the Blues and Birthplace of Rock n’ Roll Memphis, Tennessee, and the warm Victoria, Texas. She earned a BS in psychology with a minor in classical voice from Howard University. Keila’s journey of academic exploration eventually led her to earn a Master of Divinity degree from Candler in 2023, with concentrations in Religion & Race and Formation & Witness. During her time as a Candler student, Keila served as treasurer of the Black Student Caucus and as a third-year representative for Candler’s student government association C3, showcasing her commitment to community engagement and leadership.

Keila is also ordained as an itinerant elder in the 13^th District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Beyond her professional and spiritual endeavors, she is a true aficionado of musical theatre and Broadway—boasting an impressive 36 musical theatre credits at Howard to prove it! When she’s not immersed in the world of admissions, you can find Keila gracing stages with her performances, lending her vocals as a background singer for various artists, helping her dad at his BBQ restaurant, or satisfying her wanderlust through travel.

Hometown: Miami, Florida

Denomination: Nondenominational

Vocational Goals: I want to empower young adults to recognize and apply their gifts. My areas of interest include chaplaincy, womanist studies, and mentorship.

Fun fact: I created my own podcast called Melanin Medley, where I talk about biblical concepts and how they apply to our everyday lives.

What do you love about Candler?

Being a hybrid MDiv student! I am able to attend my classes from anywhere in the world, and also connect with a diverse group of students in-person and online. Despite being local to Atlanta, I like the flexibility of doing seminary differently.

What do you love about Atlanta?

Atlanta is a hub for the film industry! I love being able to spot some of the film locations in my favorite shows and movies, and sometimes work as a background actor too!

Candler Housing Coordinator

Hometown: Florence, Alabama

Denomination: United Methodist

Vocational Goals: Ordination in the UMC with a focus on pastoral counseling for children and families

Fun fact: I lived in Ghana for two years as a Peace Corps volunteer.

What do you love about Candler?

I love that Candler is a place that pushes its students outside of their comfort zones in a loving and supportive way.

What do you love about Atlanta?

I love that Atlanta is a very cool blend of southern culture and global culture.

Hometown: Seoul, Korea

Alma Mater: Methodist Theological University in Korea

Fun fact: I traveled to London in May 2023, and King Charles came out to welcome me. The real fact is that I was trapped in downtown London for over three hours due to a street parade the day before King Charles’s coronation.

What do you love about Candler?

I love the fancy vibes and friendly hospitality in Candler’s diverse atmosphere. The hospitality of the admissions office is one of the reasons I chose Candler and want to help contribute to the hospitality of the environment. Additionally, professors, staff members, and students also have their own passion and fashion, which is one of my specialties!

What do you love about Atlanta?

I love Atlanta’s weather and the unique southern vibes. When I arrived at Boston’s airport while traveling to Boston, I realized I thought of Atlanta as my hometown. I guess I have already melted into Hotlanta!

Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah

Denomination: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Vocational Goals: PhD and then teaching

Fun fact: I can lick my elbows.

What do you love about Candler?

I love the community that Candler provides! Even before moving here, I knew I had a place.

What do you love about Atlanta?

The concert scene! This year I managed to get tickets for at least one show every month from April to October.

Hometown: Rogers, Arkansas

Alma mater: Pittsburg State University, Kansas (Finance and Economics with a minor in Graphic Design)

Fun fact: I am a big racing fan, especially of NASCAR!

What do you love about Candler? I love the professors.

Why did you choose Candler? I chose Candler because the community stood out to me more than anywhere else and because of Atlanta, too, which I love for the immense amount of opportunity and diversity present here!

Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida (duuuuuuvaaal)

Alma Mater: University of North Florida

Denomination: United Methodist

Vocational goals: I plan to serve as an elder in the Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church. My greater goal is to make the church (in spirit AND in building) a safe space for those who have traditionally not been welcomed, and to be a good advocate for them.

Fun fact: I just really love Coca-Cola. I love the soda flavors, the marketing, specifically the Hilltop commercial and song from 1971 (which I have a vinyl of!). Please come talk to me about Coca-Cola.

What do you love about Candler?

I love that Candler is so intentional about fostering community and provides opportunities to engage with the community, like working with Arrendale Women’s Prison. The work I get to do there and the connection within my six-person Contextual Education cohort is one of the best parts of my week.

What do you love about Atlanta?

I love seeing the skyline of downtown Atlanta when driving at nighttime. Seeing the lights glow on the buildings makes me feel connected to the city. Oh, and The Coca-Cola Museum, of course!

Hometown: Springfield, Missouri

Denomination: United Methodist

Vocational Goals: Ordination as an elder.

Fun fact: I have been to 49 states and 17 countries.

What do you love about Candler: I love the community of students and how approachable the professors seem to be.

What do you love about Atlanta: There is a good sports scene both collegiate and professional. There is also a lot of parks and places to go for a walk or a hike near campus and just around.

Favorite Things: Jigsaw puzzles, St. Louis cardinals baseball, and playing games with friends or family.

Favorite Quotes: “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives” -Jackie Robinson; “Church is not a museum for saints, but rather a hospital for sinners” -Ann Landers

Hometown: Moyamba, Sierra Leone

Alma mater: Valley View University, Accra, Ghana

Fun fact: I love DIY. I once got a mechanic’s toolbox to replace a broken piston in my car. Disassembly was fun and easy. Piecing it back, well that’s another story you will have to come ask me about.

What do you love about Candler: The Professors. Each and every class has been very formative. My top three professors I would recommend you take a class from: Dr. Kemp, Dr. Ayres, Dr. Lösel.

What do you love about Atlanta: The diversity and the people. My favorite new spot is an African Market I just discovered.

Hometown: Macon, Georgia

Denomination: United Methodist

Vocational Goals: I am a certified candidate on the elder track in the UMC and look forward to serving churches.

Fun fact: I have been skydiving.

What do you love about Candler?

I love the combination of vigorous academics and authentic heart development in the classroom and in chapel. I am also so thankful for the community I have found here.

What do you love about Atlanta?

I love the variety of cultural opportunities: museums, theater and the symphony, and lots of great restaurants—just to name a few.

Hometown: Duluth, Georgia

Denomination: Pentecostal

Vocational Goals: My heart is really with the Hispanic community and all the pain the immigrant community goes through. My goal is to cater to their needs but also to help others understand what it is the Hispanic community goes through.

Fun fact: I’ve got a decent aim with a slingshot.

What do you love about Candler?

The classes and the genuine love and concern for each of their students.

What do you love about Atlanta?

The food and entertainment (concerts and soccer games).

Hometown: Montgomery, Alabama

Denomination: Baptist

Vocational Goals: Pastoral ministry and theological teaching

Fun fact: I love cooking southern soul food!

Hometown: Colfax, Washington

Denomination: Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)

Vocational Goals: PhD; teaching; or something else. Still discerning…

Fun fact: I’ve played the trombone since 5th grade!

What do you love about Candler?
I love that the faculty, staff, and students are so passionate about theological education and about integrating academic study with spiritual formation and justice-seeking.

What do you love about Atlanta?
I love that the people in Atlanta are so friendly and welcoming. The food is also awesome!

Hometown: Hong Kong

Vocational Goals: Still discerning.

Fun fact: Some people say that I speak with an Irish accent, and I don’t even know how I acquired it.

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: Houston, Texas

Denomination: United Methodist

Vocational Goals: Become an ordained elder in the Kentucky Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church

Fun fact: In my first week at Candler, I dropped my water bottle in chapel and it broke into multiple pieces and the water went everywhere. Some of my closest friends now are the ones who helped me clean up the water that day.

What do you love about Candler?

The people. I know it sounds cheesy, but the community at Candler is something like I’ve never experienced before.

What do you love about Atlanta?

The diversity of experiences and opportunities.