Mary Elizabeth Elmstrand

Mary Elizabeth Elmstrand serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Theology within the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of St. Thomas, teaching undergraduate courses including Comparative: World Religions (THEO 228) for Fall 2025. Her academic profile bridges theological education with practical social justice applications across diverse cultural contexts.

Her educational foundation includes a Master of Divinity (MDiv) earned summa cum laude from Boston University School of Theology with specialization in Global and Community Engagement, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology magna cum laude from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with minors in Outdoor Leadership and Environmental Issues.

Research focuses on the intersection of world religions with public life, emphasizing how religious traditions shape and are shaped by political, cultural, and social dynamics. Her work advocates for religious literacy as essential for cross-cultural understanding, demonstrated through curriculum development like the Harvard Divinity School-affiliated "Religion(s) in the World" course.

Key recognitions include:

• Excellence in Student Leadership Award, Boston University School of Theology (2019)
• Teacher of the Year Award, UAC –Carmen Pampa, Bolivia (2015)

She contributes to academic discourse through conference participation, including the 2018 "Peace in Context" panel at the Peace and Justice Studies Conference, while developing pedagogical approaches that integrate religious studies with contemporary social challenges.