(Rev.) James Cunningham, BA, MDiv

School Dean

Fr. James’ experience spans forty years of business administration, non-profit leadership and development, ministry (both pastoral and specialized to youth) as well as teaching experience.  As a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University (B.A.) and United Theological Seminary (M.Div.) Fr. James specialized in information technology and leadership training. He is also an Orthodox priest, a Benedictine Oblate, Bible teacher and apprenticeship mentor in a christian academy.

(Rev.) Mar Melchizedek, OSB, PhD

Professor of Classical Languages

Mar Melchizedek completed secondary and most of tertiary schooling in Europe. He studied philosophy and theology in a diocesan Catholic seminary and majored in Latin and Classical Greek before completing his theological post-graduate studies with a Master’s in Divinity.  Later on, he earned his doctorate in Hellenic (Greek) literature at MSTG university in Athens, Greece.  –  Prof.  Melchizedek has taught at an Orthodox theological school, where he also functioned  as a doctoral mentor for almost two decades prior to becoming part of Meister Eckhart Divinity School. 

Alexander Ciurana, BTh, MTS, MATS, PhD (cand.)

Associate Professor 

Alex Ciurana began his formal religious training in Tacoma, Washington, completing undergraduate studies at Halo Christian University and a Master's Degree in theological studies at Faith Evangelical Lutheran seminary.  At the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology (now Sofia University), he explored the exciting nexus between modern psychology and spiritual formation. Alex is currently a doctoral candidate at Sofia University.  His dissertation is titled, "Monotheism and Philotheism: an examination of two formative psychospiritual orientations". 

Jim Jackson, BA, MS, DD

Associate Professor 

Jim holds a Bachelor's Degree in social work from the University of San Francisco, CA, and a Master's Degree in program management from Texas A&M, Killian,TX. Furthermore, he holds a Divinity Degree from St. Elias School of Orthodox Theology, Seward, NE.

Jim is still very curious about life and eager to learn. He is a caring person who loves his fellow human beings.

(Rt. Rev.) Jack Cunningham, OSM, MPA, BS

Associate Professor 

Fr. Jack holds a Bachelor’s Degree from City College and a Master’s Degree from City University.  He is a member of the monastic Order of St. Michael. Jack Cunningham is a retired criminal justice administrator. He first became an Episcopal commissioned missionary in 2010, was ordained a priest in 2011 and then a bishop in 2013 of the Celtic Catholic Church, USA. He serves as a volunteer chaplain at Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center and at Community Home Health & Hospice. Fr. Jack has been a doctoral candidate at our Divinity School.

(Rev.) William P. Mills, ThD, ThDLS, DPh.RS, BCC

Associate Professor 

Bill holds Bachelor Degrees in political science and psychology from Southern Oregon University and doctorates in theology, physical and theological legal studies from Meister Eckhart Divinity School. He is the director of All Science Leads To

God, and president of the Mills Eternal Family Trust, a non-profit 501(c)3 charity, whose mission is to promote Christian unity through education, apologetics and ecumenical outreach.

Prof. Mills is a graduate of the Institute Of Clinical Pastoral Training and is a board-certified chaplain who serves at four teaching hospitals in the greater Omaha, Nebraska, area. He is also active in church ministry, mentoring and education.

David Morgan, PhD

Associate Professor

Dr. Morgan has multiple Masters' Degrees in Biblical History, language and literature. He received his doctorate in Hebrew Bible from the University Of Aberdeen, UK.  –  He spends his time with Bible translation work, writing, editing projects and photography. In addition, he makes time to mentor students and encourages them to enjoy kingdom life and contributing to the common good.

(Most Rev.) Tony Scuderi, MA, DD, MDiv, DMin, PSYD, JCD

Professor of Canon Law

Prof. Scuderi has earned a Doctorate in Psychology, Doctor of Ministry and Doctor of Divinity.  He holds Master’s Degrees in counseling psychology and divinity, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree of science in mental health counseling and an Associate of Arts Degree in correctional administration.

Tony Scuderi is licensed in addiction treatment both in California and internationally through the IC&RC credentialing board. Additionally, he is a certified hypnotherapist, a certified addictions life coach and a certified relationship life coach from the American Institute for Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy Center, New York. Prof. Scuderi is Apostolic Nuncio and Metropolitan Archbishop of California.

(Rev.) Deaconess Sr. Mary Joseph Lavdas, OSB, JCD

Associate Professor of Canon Law

Sr. Mary Joseph earned her Bachelor's, Master’s and Doctoral Degrees at Meister Eckhart Divinity School. As an experienced educator she began teaching Sunday School in 1974. She has also taught several small group studies and has been training Benedictine Oblates since founding an Oblate chapter in 2006. She also serves in several capacities within the Synod as well as presides over an online prayer ministry she began in 1999.