Michael Okińczyc-Cruz

About

Michael Nicolás Okińczyc-Cruz is an adjunct assistant professor at the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University of Chicago and is the Executive Director and a co-founder of the Coalition for Spiritual & Public Leadership (CSPL). CSPL is a non-profit organization committed to addressing social, racial and economic justice issues through grassroots leadership development and community organizing grounded in the Catholic spiritual and theological traditions. Over his eight years as a faith based community organizer he has worked to address issues related to criminal justice, mental health, corporate bank accountability, immigration reform, refugee rights, public transportation, workforce development and workforce diversity on a local, statewide and national level. He has trained thousands of leaders across the country on the methodologies of faith-based community organizing.

Michael possesses a BA from the University of California, Berkeley, a Master's in Theology from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School and a Doctorate of Ministry with a concentration in Latina/o studies from Fordham University. Michael is a first generation American. His maternal great grandparents were immigrants from Guanajuato, Mexico and his father is a refugee from Poland. Michael lives in Pilsen with his wife Joanna.