Dr. Naya Jones

Biography

Naya Jones (she/her/ella) is a cultural worker, artist-scholar, and aspiring chaplain. As a student and scholar of “old ways,” she bridges spiritual activism and academic research. She is a former assistant professor with almost 20 years of experience teaching in various settings, from universities to urban farms. Grounded in Black ecologies, her research and ritual art explores how communities reimagine earth-based spiritual practices in the midst of climate injustice. The first in her family to attend college, she was nourished by mentors and elders along the way. Her education journeys inspire her interest in higher ed chaplaincy. At Starr King, she is a third-year MDiv/Chaplaincy Concentration student. She appreciates how Starr King faculty always encourage students to consider how our coursework can support our communities.  She appreciates Starr King’s multi-religious approach and UU grounding, along with the school’s explicit commitment to countering oppressions. She looks forward to serving as a Student Rep on the Board of Trustees. Naya holds a PhD in Geography and the Environment from the University of Texas at Austin. Inspired by the earth wisdom of her Black and Mexican ancestors, she is also trained in somatic and cultural healing arts. She lives in the Mojave Desert, the traditional land of many tribes, among them the Serrano, Chemehuevi, and Cahuilla.