Student Assistant Alumni
The CCL is blessed to partner with wonderfully gifted and thoughtful students! We thank all of our beloved student assistant alumni for their contemplative leadership over the years. Please feel free to check out their bios and learn a bit of where they are today.
Student Assistant Alumni, if you’d like to update your photo or bio, please email wesley.tenney-free@ptsem.edu anytime. Thank you!
Dina Bishay, Current PhD Candidate in Practical Theology
Dina Bishay is from Egypt, she received her MA degree in Theology and History from the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Egypt in 2016, and her Th.M degree in Christian Education from Princeton Seminary in 2017. She joined the faculty team at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo (ETSC) as the second female hired since 160 years of the institution’s establishment in 2021. She got enrolled in the doctoral program at Princeton seminary in 2022. During this program, she has served as a teaching assistant to Dr. Bo Karen Lee for the course “Contemplative Listening: An Introduction to Spiritual Direction.” After fulfilling her degree she will be going back to her home country to serve as a full-time professor in ETSC in the area of Education and Formation. Last Updated Jan. 2025
Zach Dean, MDiv
Zach Dean is in his final year as an MDiv student at Princeton Theological Seminary. He is passionate about contemplation, spiritual direction, interfaith dialogue, the intersection of contemplation and social justice, and pastoral care. Outside of class, he enjoys frequent nature walks, good coffee, and heartfelt conversations. Last Updated Sep. 2023
Eli Henry, MDiv/MACEF
Eli Henry is in his final year of the MDiv/MACEF dual degree program at Princeton Theological Seminary. Eli’s studies center pastoral care, spirituality, preaching, and social justice, with an emphasis on how these things work together in pastoral ministry. Eli has a heart for community life at PTS and has been blessed to lead worship and preach in a diverse array of communities during his time in seminary. Eli is a Candidate for ordination in the Presbyterian Church (USA) under care of the Presbytery of Genesee Valley. Last Updated Sep. 2023
Zainab Kajang, MDiv/MACEF
Zainab Kajang is a fourth-year MDiv/MACEF dual degree student at Princeton Theological Seminary. Zainab is also a research assistant under Dr. Bo Karen Lee and an intern with the Center for Contemplative Leadership. Zainab is interested in pastoral care and especially chaplaincy as a vocation after graduation. She is originally from Nigeria. Last Updated Sep. 2023
Nina Laubach, MDiv
Nina Laubach is in the MDiv program at Princeton Theological Seminary with a Concentration in Theology, Ecology, and Faith Formation. Her current Seminary journey brings together, often in creative ways, the experiences from her previous career paths as a structural engineer, yoga teacher, and assistant school chaplain. Nina studied contemplative dialogue with a Benedictine oblate for four years and her other interests include interfaith spaces, and how the Gospel is preached and expressed in public life. Nina is pursuing clinical chaplaincy certification, and continues to advocate for diverse leadership in the Catholic Church. Last Updated Sep. 2023
Justin Warner, MDiv/MACEF
Rev. Justin Warner is a Minister of Word & Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A). He is the Interim Pastor & Head of Staff at the First Presbyterian Church of Rutherford, NJ. Justin utilizes many skills he learned in the early stages of the CCL to guide his lay leaders and support staff. Justin also has a B.A. in Cognitive Behavioral Neuroscience from The College of Wooster. He is passionate about pastoral care and thrives in creative revitalization during transition seasons. In their free time, Justin and his spouse, Melany, enjoy concerts, broadway shows, world travel, and various global cuisines. Last Updated Jan. 2025
Z Zinsitz, MDiv/MACEF
Z Zinsitz is a Princeton Theological Seminary alumnus with a dual degree Master of Divinity/Master of Arts in Christian Education and Formation. They are passionate about bringing Christ’s work outside the walls of the church and are currently working at the Center for Modern Aging Princeton, whose mission is to help older adults thrive. They also serve as the first openly LGBTQ+ ruling elder at Westminster Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) in Trenton, NJ. Last Updated Nov. 2024
