Rev. Dr. Maisha Handy
A native of Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Maisha I. Kariamu Handy is an administrator, academician, pastor, and activist committed to education, justice, and liberation.
She began her higher education journey at Lincoln University (MO), receiving a Bachelor of Science in Criminology/Criminal Justice (1989). After relocating to Atlanta, Georgia, she received the Master of Divinity degree with honors from Candler School of Theology, Emory University (1994) and the Ph.D. degree in Religion (Theology & Personality) from Emory University (2002), the first African American woman to receive the degree from the department. Dr. Handy serves as the 12th President of McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. Dr. Handy formerly served as the Interim President and Professor of Religion and Education at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta, Georgia, where she was employed for 24 years. Dr. Handy also currently serves as the founding pastor of Rize Community Church in the Pittsburgh community of Atlanta, GA. Rize is an Africentric worshiping community of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
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