Carmen M. Nanko-Fernández

Dr. Carmen M. Nanko-Fernández, a self-described Hurban@́ (Hispanic and urban) theologian, is part of the 1.5 generation in Latin@́ theologies. Carmen’s research and scholarship in Latin@́ theologies have further developed the role of lo popular as source for theology. Her publications include the books Theologizing en Espanglish (Orbis), and Campus Ministry: Identity, Mission, and Praxis (NCEA) as well as numerous chapters, scholarly and pastoral articles on Latin@́ theologies, theological education, sport and theology—with particular focus on béisbol/baseball and Pope Francis.
Carmen’s writing appears in various periodicals and journals such as Commonweal, National Catholic Reporter, Aztlán: Journal of Chicano Studies, and The Journal of Hispanic/Latino Theology. Carmen founded, and, with Miguel Díaz and Gary Riebe-Estrella, SVD, co-edits the multivolume series Disruptive Cartographers: Doing Theology Latinamente (Fordham University Press) which released its third volume in Fall 2023. She is currently completing her book ¿El Santo? Baseball and the Canonization of Roberto Clemente (Mercer University Press).

Carmen presents regularly in a broad range of academic and pastoral venues, though she counts among the highlights a paper delivered in Cooperstown at a conference co-sponsored by the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Her work in sport and theology has also netted invitations to meet with athletic departments in Catholic secondary and higher educational contexts on issues of mission.

Carmen’s scholarship and service in theological education, in ministry, in professional associations, on editorial boards, and with colleagues and institutions in higher education reflect ongoing commitments to agency, access, representation, and justice especially for communities too often underrepresented, marginalized and/or minoritized in the academy, the Catholic church, and in publication/media. Through her work with, among others, the Hispanic Theological Initiative and the Louisville Institute she participates in the professional development and mentoring of doctoral students and faculty.

As a member of several learned societies, Carmen has exercised leadership and service in the American Academy of Religion (AAR), the Catholic Theological Society of America (CTSA), and the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States (ACHTUS). A past treasurer and president of ACHTUS she received their Virgilio Elizondo Award for “distinguished achievement in theology.”