HIU Welcomes Two New Employees

Hartford International University is pleased to introduce two new members of the community.

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Lama Htoi San Lu has taken a position with HIU as a Lilly Teaching Fellow. She will teach the fall course Contextual Theologies with Dr. Lucinda Mosher. 

She is a Ph.D. candidate and a Theology and Practice Fellow focusing on Theological Studies with a minor in Ethics and Society in the Graduate Department of Religion at Vanderbilt University. 

Lama holds an MA in Sacred Theology from Union Theological Seminary, an MA in Theological Studies from Episcopal Divinity School, and an M.Div. from Kachin Theological College & Seminary.

Born and raised in Burma/Myanmar to an indigenous and interethnic Kachin and Shan family with different religious backgrounds, she explores the politics of difference and othering while reimagining the relationality between divine and humans, humans and nonhumans. 

Her education and ministerial experiences mutually shape her way of practicing theology and enhance her awareness of injustice for those who are marginalized at multiple levels. 

Lama’s research and teaching interests include feminist/womanist theology, political theology, biblical hermeneutics, and diaspora studies. 

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Beverne Cordner is the new Associate Director and Writing Instructor of the Howard Thurman Center (HTC) at HIU.

Beverne comes to us from Manchester, CT, and has been employed with the State of Connecticut since 2006, serving as a Developmental Services Case Manager at the Department of Social Services and the Department of Developmental Services. 

Her skills and experience in project management, strategic planning, data analysis, grant management, and public policy will greatly benefit the HTC.

She has also gained expertise as a writing instructor in the 1199 Training Fund, Literacy Volunteers, and the University of Connecticut (UCONN). 

Beverne holds an MA in Public Administration and a BGS in Interdisciplinary Studies from UCONN. She’s a Board Member and Treasurer of the local chapter of the American Society of Public Administration and is dedicated to serving the community.