Dr. C. Vanessa White is Assistant Professor of Spirituality and Ministry, Director of the Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies, and the Master of Arts in Specialized Ministries as well as the Director of the Certificate in Pastoral Studies and the Certificate in Black Theology and Ministry at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. She is a member of the summer faculty of Xavier University of Louisiana’s Institute for Black Catholic Studies in New Orleans where she teaches in both the Master’s degree and Continuing Education and Enrichment Program. 

She has a Bachelor of Science degree with a focus in Child Development and Family Service (Northern Illinois University, 1978), Master in Theological Studies with a concentration in Mission and Cross-Cultural Studies (Catholic Theological Union, 1991) and a Doctor of Ministry with a concentration in Spirituality (Catholic Theological Union, 2005).

Dr. White is co-editor of the book (with Dr. Cecilia Moore and Fr. Paul Marshall, SM), Songs of the Heart and Meditations of the Soul – A book of prayers published by St. Anthony Messenger Press and contributing author for Amoris Laetitia: A New Momentum for Moral and Pastoral Formation (Paulist Press, 2018) and Liturgy and Justice: To Worship God in Spirit and Truth (Liturgical Press, 2002) She has published articles and essays in New Theology Review, U.S. Catholic, AMERICA, and CNN.org and is also a regular contributor to Give Us This Day – daily prayer journal published by Liturgical Press as well as inaugural contributor to the web-based Catholic Women Preach series.

Former Convener of the Black Catholic Theological Symposium, an interdisciplinary theological association of Black Catholic theologians and scholars and a member of the Board of Directors of the Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality, Dr. White works with Bishop Joseph N. Perry (postulator for the cause) promoting the cause of Fr. Augustus. She serves as an advisor/consultant for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Subcommittee on Certification for Ecclesial Ministry and Service. She also serves as one of the advisors for Fetzer Institute’s ‘Study on American Spirituality’ that will be published in 2020.   

She has received numerous awards and honors including – F. Sadlier Dinger Award from the National Conference of Catechetical Leadership, the Juan Diego Award for Service to Lay Ministry in the Church from the National Association of Lay Ministry, the Augustus Tolton Award from the Archdiocese of Chicago and Doctorate of Humane Letters from Franciscan University in Loretto Pennsylvania.

A Secular Franciscan, Dr. White is an experienced workshop presenter, retreat facilitator, spiritual director and educator who lectures nationally on Christian spirituality, discernment, health, women’s spirituality, diversity/intercultural dialogue, leadership development, spiritual and ministry formation, spiritual practices, lay ministry and adult faith formation.