by Jamily Castro-Reyes

Dr. Haley Gabrielle is one of our religious professors here at GC, who was hired over the summer and this is her first year here at GC. She is dedicated to encouraging critical thinking and open discussions in the classroom. Gabrielle aims to help students understand the impact of religion on both individuals and communities. She is interested in exploring the connections between faith, ethics and social justice. She is passionate about exploring how religion shapes culture, history and society. Now with her dissertation in religion as a part of her Ph.D. Gabrielle has been teaching at universities since 2022. Gabrielle stated, “I have been teaching in universities since 2022. Some of my past teaching was at seminaries where I taught graduate students who were preparing to go into ministry. I was also teaching religion classes to undergraduates at Appalachian State University.” Gabrielle’s extensive experience and passion for teaching is evident in her commitment to fostering critical thinking and deepening students’ understanding of religions’ role in shaping society.

When asked how her experience has been so far here at GC, she stated, “The community at Greensboro College has been so kind and welcoming, and I am very happy to have joined the faculty here. Now, it is a real pleasure to be at GC full-time and be able to really invest in this community.” Her positive outlook reflects the supportive and engaging environment she has found at GC, making her excited for the opportunity ahead as she continues to contribute to the growth and success of the campus community.

My approach to Christianity is rooted way before GC and I know it is the same for many others here. Throughout my life, faith has been a journey clearly different from others and the exploration and openness for religious life has always been interesting. When asked if Gabrielle practices any religion or if she has a religious background, Gabrielle’s response was “Yes, I am a Christian. I do not belong to a specific denomination of Christianity, and I have attended many different types of churches over the course of my life. If I move to a new city and am looking to find a church, I look for a worshiping community that is multiracial, inclusive of the leadership of women and LGBTQ+ people and family friendly. It is a bonus if the music is good!” Her perspective on embracing diversity and inclusivity in the church resonates deeply with my own journey, reminding me that faith is not about a particular denomination but about belonging to a community that reflects love, acceptance and openness. She highlights the importance of finding a space where someone is able to grow spiritually while being embraced for what they stand for and who they are. In this world that can be often divided by labels, Dr. Gabrielle’s approach reminds me that faith is about connection, community and mutual respect.

Reflecting on my own upbringing I realized how much it shaped my approach on spirituality and faith. I was never really encouraged to explore my own beliefs. When asked if Gabrielle was affected by external factors how she viewed religion, Gabrielle responded “I grew up in a diverse household. One of my parents was non-religious, and the other was Christian. Because of this, at a very young age, I took responsibility for my own spiritual journey and wanted to really understand the Bible, which is what I study now professionally.” Her experience shows the profound impact that a diverse upbringing can have on shaping one’s spiritual perspective. Hearing Gabrielle’s story reinforced the importance of taking ownership of one’s beliefs and the value of seeking a deeper understanding, something that can influence personal faith as well as professional paths. I know from personal experience that most communities and churches out there hide their true beliefs from a younger audience to gain more attention. Most of these communities also are not as inclusive towards certain communities. Which, in response to this, Gabrielle says, “I also feel very grieved when I see the ways throughout history that Christianity has suppressed diversity or has treated people as less than due to factors like racism, colonialism and other types of discrimination. I hope that I can be part of making a difference, so that more people feel loved and embraced for who they are, and so that more people can see the ways that religion can be liberating and empowering.” Her hope for a more inclusive and empowering form of religion echoes the change I also believe is necessary, where people are not only accepted but truly celebrated for who they are. It shows that religion, at its core, can be a force for liberation and love, instead of division and exclusion.

If you are considering exploring religion, whether it is personal or professional reasons, it is important to approach with an open mind and always have a sense of curiosity. As Gabrielle points out, there are many ways to engage with any faith and this diversity can offer profound insight into its richness. When asked how someone should begin exploring a religion, Gabrielle responded, “I would suggest that you try to find a spiritual community where you can be safe while learning and growing, feeling respected for your identity. Also, try not to judge a religion by just one person, one service or one organization, because each religion has so much diversity in and of itself. There are many different ways to be Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh, etc. “Her advice underscores the importance of accepting diversity within religious communities and finding a space where you are able to flourish without judgment. It is essential to approach such a journey with respect for the wide range of beliefs and practices that exist and remain open to the many paths that religion can offer. If someone is interested in a career in religion Gabrielle says “If you are interested in pursuing a career in religion, know that this can take many different forms: you can be a professor, you can be a pastor, you can be a chaplain in a prison or a hospital, or you can run a non-profit. “A career in religion is not limited to traditional roles but can hold a wide range of meaningful work. If you are drawn to academia, pastoral care, or social outreach, there are many ways to contribute to and shape the spiritual landscape. Within each offering its own unique opportunities to make a positive impact. Coming firsthand, Gabrielle is a great professor, and I am happy she has joined us here at GC.