CRCC Staff
Click on a bio to connect with a staff member with the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture, or email crcc@usc.edu.
Soraya AhyaudinAMCLI Director and Assistant Director, Learning Design and ProgramsSoraya Ahyaudin directs the American Muslim Civic Leadership Institute at the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture.
Hebah FarragAssistant Director of ResearchHebah Farrag manages the center’s research and evaluation projects while engaging in research focused on religion, social change and new spiritualties.
Richard FloryExecutive DirectorRichard Flory is a sociologist whose work focuses on religion and urban life, religious and cultural change, and youth and young adults.
Nalika GajaweeraSenior Research AnalystNalika Gajaweera is a cultural anthropologist specialized in Buddhism, transnationalism and ethics, with an area expertise in South Asia.
Donald E. MillerDirector of Strategic InitiativesDonald Miller focuses on global religious trends, genocides of the 20th century, and the role of religious NGOs in addressing issues of moral concern.
Napah Phyakul QuachManaging DirectorNapah Phyakul Quach manages CRCC’s contracts and grants as well as oversees operations.
Najuma SmithAssistant Director of Community and Public EngagementRev. Najuma Smith combines her experience as a pastor and expertise as a community leader to train Murray Center Fellows.
Nick StreetSenior WriterNick Street is a journalist covering religious change and innovation, Buddhism, Pentecostalism and LGBT issues.
Megan SweasEditor and Director of CommunicationsMegan Sweas is a journalist specializing in social and economic justice issues and world religions.
Affiliates
The USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture works with scholars and leaders. The listed individuals are actively engaged with our current projects.
Kimiko YamadaKimiko Yamada, an associate professor in clinical physical therapy at USC, works with CRCC on physical wellness and faith fluency programs.
Christopher BakerChristopher Baker is a public theologian in the UK who studies the role and impact of religion and belief on public life.
Tobin BelzerTobin Belzer is an applied sociologist who develops research and program evaluations to support the work of non-profit organizations and philanthropists.
Brad ChristersonBrad Christenson is a sociologist who has written extensively in the areas of religion, race, ethnicity, and globalization.
Maureen DayMaureen Day is a sociologist and theologian who studies the influence of religious beliefs on public life, especially among Catholics.
Ann GleigAnn Gleig is an Associate Professor of Religion and Cultural Studies at the University of Central Florida. Her research specialization is Buddhism in America, and she is the author of American Dharma: Buddhism …
Arpi MillerArpi Miller is a sociologist who studies secular and faith-based immigrant advocacy and accompaniment.
Bruce PhillipsBruce Phillips is among the leading researchers in the sociology of American Jewry and is an avid historian of Los Angeles.
Rev. Frank Jackson, Jr.Rev. Frank Jackson, Jr. couples his experience in business and investment with his passion for community development.
Tarra McNallyTarra McNally is an anthropologist specializing in evaluation and global health.
Diane WinstonAs a journalist and scholar, Diane Winston is a national authority on religion, politics, the news media and entertainment.
Journalism Fellows
The following journalists were selected from a very competitive pool of 300 journalists who applied to take part in “Spiritual Exemplars: A Global Project on Engaged Spirituality.” Journalism fellows (2019-2023) are reporting on and profiling spiritual exemplars around the globe.
Linda FreundJournalist FellowLinda Freund is a journalist fellow with the Spiritual Exemplars Project. She is based in Barcelona, Spain.
Athar AhmadJournalist FellowAthar Ahmad is a journalist fellow with the Spiritual Exemplars Project. He is based in London.
Ken ChitwoodJournalist FellowKen Chitwood is a journalist fellow with the Spiritual Exemplars Project. He is based in Gainesville, FL, and his work specializes in global Islam, the Americas and Christian-Muslim relations.
Jeneé DardenJournalist FellowJeneé Darden is a journalist fellow with the Spiritual Exemplars Project. She is from Oakland, CA.
Cheryl DevallJournalist FellowCheryl Devall is a journalist fellow with the Spiritual Exemplars Project and editor with the Spiritual Edge podcast.
Daysha EatonJournalist FellowDaysha Eaton is a journalist fellow with the Spiritual Exemplars Project.
Jess EngebretsonJournalist FellowJess Engebretson is a journalist fellow with the Spiritual Exemplars Project. She is based in New York, NY, and her work focuses on West Africa and human rights.
Innocent EtengJournalist FellowEmmanuel Innocent Eteng is a journalist fellow with the Spiritual Exemplars Project. He is based in Port Harcourt, Nigeria and his work focuses on Africa, sustainable development, environmental and health.
Kiratiana FreelonJournalist FellowKiratiana Freelon is a journalist fellow with the Spiritual Exemplars Project. She is based in Rio de Janeiro.
Clément GirardotJournalist FellowClément Girardot is a journalist fellow with the Spiritual Exemplars Project. He focuses on in-depth stories about the Caucasus region and Turkey.
Kevin Douglas GrantJournalist FellowKevin Douglas Grant is a journalist fellow with the Spiritual Exemplars Project. He is based in Washington, D.C., and he specializes in collaborative journalism, religion reporting and nonprofit media.
Chris HerlingerJournalist FellowChris Herlinger is a journalist fellow with the Spiritual Exemplars Project. He is based in Astoria, NY. His work focuses on conflict/post-conflict areas and theology.
Jude Joffe-BlockJournalist FellowJude Joffe-Block is a journalist fellow with the Spiritual Exemplars Project. She is based in Phoenix, Arizona, and her work focuses on Latin America, immigration and the US-Mexico border.
Kim LawtonJournalist FellowKim Lawton is a journalist fellow with the Spiritual Exemplars Project. She is based in Arlington, VA, and her work specializes in interfaith relations, US and international religion, and humanitarian issues.
Julia LieblichJournalist FellowJulia Lieblich is a journalist fellow with the Spiritual Exemplars Project. She specializes in human rights and post-conflict trauma. Lieblich is based in Chicago.
Maria Emilia MartinJournalist FellowMaria Emilia Martin is a journalist fellow with the Spiritual Exemplars Project. She based in Texas and Guatemala.
Monique ParsonsJournalist FellowMonique Parsons is a journalist fellow with the Spiritual Exemplars Project. She is based in Chicago.
Julien PebrelJournalist FellowJulien Pebrel is a journalist fellow with the Spiritual Exemplars Project. He is based in Tbilisi, Georgia, and his work specializes in photography, event organization, and Georgia.
Mary Annette PemberJournalist FellowMary Annette Pember is a journalist fellow with the Spiritual Exemplars Project. She is based in Cincinnati, OH and her work focuses on Native American issues, sexual violence and the impact of historical trauma.
Magdalena RojoJournalist FellowMagdalena Rojo is a journalist fellow with the Spiritual Exemplars Project. She is based in Oaxaca de Juarez, Mexico. Her work focuses on migration, women rights, environmental issues and indigenous people rights.
Noel RojoJournalist FellowNoel Rojo is a journalist fellow with the Spiritual Exemplars Project and a photographer with a focus on migration and environmental issues.
Rhonda RoumaniContributing FellowRhonda Roumani is a freelance journalist who writes about both the Middle East and Islam in the Muslim world and in the United States.
Stephanie SaldañaJournalist FellowStephanie Saldaña is a journalist fellow with the Spiritual Exemplars Project. She is based in Jerusalem. Her work focuses on refugee issues, Muslim-Christian dialogue and intangible cultural heritage.
Priyadarshini SenJournalist FellowPriyadarshini Sen is a journalist fellow with the Spiritual Exemplars Project. She is based in Delhi and focuses on religion, human rights and social justice.
Soumya ShankarJournalist FellowSoumya Shankar is a journalist fellow with the Spiritual Exemplars Project. She is based in New York City.
Meara Priyanka SharmaJournalist FellowMeara Priyanka Sharma is a journalist fellow with the Spiritual Exemplars Project. She is based in London and her work focuses on the environment, post-conflict societies and religion.
Shaina ShealyJournalist FellowShaina Shealy is a journalist fellow with the Spiritual Exemplars Project. Her work specializes in the Middle East, women’s health, and religious identity.
Heidi ShinJournalist FellowHeidi Shin is a journalist fellow with the Spiritual Exemplars Project, who is based in Boston, MA. She is interested in telling stories about migrants and immigrant communities, women’s issues and those on the margins.
Judy SilberJournalist FellowJudy Silber is a journalist fellow with the Spiritual Exemplars Project and executive producer of the Spiritual Edge podcast.
Krithika VaragurJournalist FellowKrithika Varagur is a journalist fellow with the Spiritual Exemplars Project. She is based in London, and her work focuses on religion and politics, particularly in Southeast Asia.- Diane WinstonAs a journalist and scholar, Diane Winston is a national authority on religion, politics, the news media and entertainment.
Kimberly WinstonJournalist FellowKimberly Winston is a journalist fellow with the Spiritual Exemplars Project. She is based in the Bay Area, and her work focuses on religion and popular culture and religious “nones.”
Naomi ZeveloffJournalist FellowNaomi Zeveloff is a journalist fellow with the Spiritual Exemplars Project. She is based in Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Israel, and her work specializes in the Israel and Palestinian Territories and religion.