University Ministry Staff
I am a native San Franciscan and passionate about Ignatian spirituality since my high school days at St. Ignatius College Preparatory. Prior to joining the USF University Ministry team, I spent nearly six years at Mercy High School San Francisco as Associate Head of School, Religious Studies Department Chair, and a teacher in the Religious Studies and English Departments. I also have a background in corporate public relations.
I am a proud Don having earned two Master's degrees (Theology and Catholic School Teaching) at USF. I hold a BA in English from Santa Clara University and a doctorate in education in organizational change and leadership from the University of Southern California.
In my spare time, I like to read, spend time with friends and family, watch musicals, travel, cook, write, and collect fountain pens!
I am a doctoral student in Catholic Educational Leadership at the University of San Francisco School of Education. My research interests include: Faith Formation with Lay leaders, Non-Catholic students' Faith Formation, LGBTQ+ Catholic Educators' identity/experiences, Spiritual Leadership and various dialogues in Catholic Education.
My professional experience stems from over 16 years in Catholic education. I was a Parish Catechist, Theology teacher, Department Chair, Accreditation Commissioner, Superintendent, and Resident Minister. I now serve as Assistant Director of Retreats and Ignatian Student Formation. I have travelled to over 60 countries asking the question: why do people pray?
Dissertation: Spiritual Leadership in Crisis: The perception of Catholic school administrators as servant leaders in Catholic schools in Guam.
... where there is doubt, faith..." -Prayer of Peace, St. Francis of Assisi
I am the first rabbi-in-residence for Jewish life and multi-faith LGBTQIA+ spiritual life on campus thanks to the Swig program in Jewish Studies and Social Justice.
I teach two core courses: Queering Religion in the Theology and Religious Studies department and the CEL class Honoring Our LGBTQIA+ Elders. Students who've taken these course are helping me create a co-curricula component within campus ministry and student life, including our weekly Breaking Bread and the Binary Thursday lunches and our annual Spectrum retreat.
I earned my Bachelor's degree in Philosophy from UCLA, my Master's Degree in Hebrew Letters and Education from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, as well as my Ordination from HUC-JIR. Last spring I received an honorary doctorate of divinity, for 25 years of service as a Reform rabbi.
I've written widely on creative liturgy, Judaism and LGBTQ issues. My work has been published in the Journal of Psychology and Judaism, CCAR Press, Walt Disney/Ideal Books, and other Jewish and women’s magazines, as well as academic journals and books. My favorite contribution in this regard is a prayerbook, that even includes prayers for non-believers, Siddur Sha'ar Zahav.
I began my rabbinate as Assistant Rabbi at Congregation Rodeph Sholom on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. From 2000-2015, I served as the spiritual leader of San Francisco’s Congregation Sha’ar Zahav. Before coming to USF, I taught eighth grade at our local San Francisco Jewish Day School.
I'm blessed to be a parent, an ima - ("mother" in Hebrew) and a beloved partner. I love reading poetry, kayaking, and hanging out with my dogs and my family.
Everyone needs a rabbi - let me be yours!
As the Associate Director for immersions, I am in charge of developing and supporting all University-sponsored immersion experiences (globally and domestically) for students, faculty, staff and alumni including both for-credit and non-credit programs. I serve as the University’s representative and host when interacting with international groups or institutions and when the Vice Provost requests it. As Associate Director, I collaborate with colleagues to create a supportive University community, that encourages student learning and development in the Jesuit Catholic tradition; recognize and celebrate the rich diversity of faith and culture on campus; and provide experiences that challenge students to develop the academic, cultural, spiritual and other skills needed to fashion a more humane and just world.
I earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the Pontifical Catholic University in Lima, Peru, a MA in Religious Studies and Theology, and a Ed.D. in Organization and Leadership from the University of San Francisco. Before coming to the University of San Francisco, I worked in human rights organizations.
Rev. Donal Godfrey, S.J.
University Chaplain and Associate Director for Faculty and Staff Spirituality
godfrey@usfca.edu
415.422.2760
I run Ignatian spirituality programs for faculty and staff. These include book clubs, the spiritual exercises of Ignatius in daily life, retreats, the Faculty Lecture, and the Ignatian Faculty Forum. I was born in Liverpool, England. I was educated at Stonyhurst College and at University College, Cork. I’m a member of the Irish Bar, and an Irish Jesuit priest of the Society of Jesus. I hold degrees in philosophy from the Milltown Institute of Dublin, a Master’s in theology from Regis College at the University of Toronto, a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, and a Doctorate in Ministry from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, CA.
I am the author of the book, Gays and Grays: The Story of the Gay Community at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church (Lexington, 2007).
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I am a Bay Area native, born and raised in Daly City. Before coming to the University of San Francisco, I worked as the Operations and Finance Manager at St. Paul of the Shipwreck Catholic Church. Previously, I was the Director of Campus Ministry and Christian Service at Mercy High School in San Francisco, working with and developing student leaders passionate about liturgy, servant leadership, and spiritual growth. I also served as the Assistant Admissions Director.
I am a proud Don, having graduated from the University of San Francisco with a Bachelor's Degree in Theology and Religious Studies and a Minor in Catholic Studies. I earned a Master of Arts Degree in Theology and Leadership at Gonzaga University.
In my spare time, I enjoy listening to music, traveling with friends, and exploring food.
Rev. Dr. Ronné Wingate Sims
Assistant Director for Religious Diversity, Justice and Outreach
rsims3@usfca.edu
415.422.2531
I’m an ordained Baptist minister, speaker, meditation teacher and California’s Mother of the Year® 2021. My areas of passion and expertise collide at the intersection of mental health and the Black church experience. I studied at Howard University, earned a BA in Sociology at California State University East Bay, a Master of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry at McCormick Theological Seminary in African American Centered Religious Thought and Practice. I am a meditation teacher and contributor to the Healthy Minds Innovations app which The New York Times named one of the three best meditation apps on the market. In 2021 I was a featured meditation teacher for the Science and Wisdom of Emotions Summit with The Dalai Lama. One of the overarching themes for my life and work can be summed up in a quote from Maya Angelou:
My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style.