Anthony Cruz Pantojas, Humanist Chaplain
Education:
M.A.T.S., Andover Newton Theological School
M.A.L.S. Meadville Lombard Theological School
Graduate Certificate in Humanist Studies American Humanist Association Center for Education (formerly Humanist Institute).
Biography:
Anthony Cruz Pantojas, MATS, MALS (they/he/elle/él) is honored to be the Humanist Chaplain at Tufts University. They joined the University Chaplaincy team in August 2021. In this capacity, Anthony supports the development and sustainability of ethical inquiry through co-constructed projects with the campus community. Cruz Pantojas earned master’s degrees in Theological Studies, and Leadership and Humanist Studies from Andover Newton Theological School and Meadville Lombard Theological School, respectively. Additionally, they hold a Graduate Certificate in Humanist Studies from the American Humanist Association Center for Education.
Previously, Anthony worked with Faith in the Vaccine, a program under the auspices of the Interfaith Youth Core. They worked with youth community leaders to inform marginalized communities about the significance of the COVID-19 vaccine and to curate resources that address social stigma. With Faith in the Vaccine, Anthony focused on vaccine hesitancy, as well as spearheaded projects promoting civic engagement and critical consciousness through action research and narrative methodologies. Anthony was also a Dignity Project Mentor for the Betty Ann Greenbaum Miller Center for lnterreligious Learning & Leadership at Hebrew College and Boston University School of Theology.
Nationally, Anthony is Associate Clergy of Susquehanna Valley Ethical Society and holds boards positions with Secular Coalition of America, and the Association for Chaplaincy and Spiritual Life in Higher Education (ACSLHE).
Anthony spent most of my life traversing between Puerto Rico and the mainland. They had an opportunity to grow in an environment where Afro based religions and spiritual traditions, Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism, Islam, other faiths, and non-theist traditions seek to coexist and support a democratic and progressive ethos for all.
As an endorsed Humanist Celebrant and Chaplain by The Humanist Society, Anthony works at the intersection of ethics, constructive theologies, and decolonial orientations to culture to understand the human condition. Their queer Afro-Boricua identity also deeply informs their engagement with ethics and relationality. They have received grants focusing on humanist inquiry, and also publishes regularly.
Anthony is an avid reader and tries not to get too engrossed in too many technical texts. When not thinking about theology, culture, and society, or existential questions, they enjoy a strong brew of Café Bustelo with a dash of honey. They are also curious about self-care practices that are not overly commercialized. Anthony looks forward to working with the incredible community at Tufts.
Anthony is a confidential resource on campus.