Faithful Leadership Recognized: 2025-26 Distinguished Alumna
SEPTEMBER 22, 2025
Honoring Rev. Dr. Marilyn Pagán-Banks: McCormick’s 2025 Distinguished Alumna
McCormick Theological Seminary is proud to recognize Rev. Dr. Marilyn Pagán-Banks (MDiv ’97) as the recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Alumna Award. A lifelong co-learner, visionary leader, and justice-driven pastor, Rev. Dr. Pagán-Banks embodies McCormick’s mission of preparing leaders for faithful service in both church and society.
About the Distinguished Alumnae Award
The Distinguished Alumnae Award is presented to a McCormick alumnus/a in recognition of their distinguished contribution to the ministry of the church. The award is open to all—without regard to age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, denomination, form of ministry, length of service, or public recognition. The emphasis is on the quality and significance of an exceptional contribution to the ministry of Jesus Christ.
Faithful Leadership for Community and Justice
Since 2002, Rev. Dr. Pagán-Banks has served as Executive Director of A Just Harvest, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting poverty and hunger in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood and the greater Chicago area. Under her leadership, A Just Harvest has expanded far beyond providing daily meals—tackling systemic injustice through policy advocacy, economic development, urban agriculture, and violence prevention programs.
Her commitment to justice has helped secure historic change, including leadership in the Coalition to End Money Bond, which made history by abolishing cash bail in Illinois. Even through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rev. Dr. Pagán-Banks guided A Just Harvest with innovation, sustaining both the immediate work of feeding neighbors and the deeper work of dismantling systemic barriers.
“Her leadership has transformed A Just Harvest into an organization that genuinely meets urgent needs while engaging systemic injustices through relationship building,” shares Christophe Ringer, Associate Professor of Theological Ethics & Society at Chicago Theological Seminary.
Pastor, Teacher, and Builder of Beloved Community
In addition to her nonprofit leadership, Rev. Dr. Pagán-Banks serves as Senior Pastor of San Lucas United Church of Christ in Humboldt Park, a bilingual African-Caribbean Diaspora congregation rooted in hospitality, justice, healing, and freedom. The congregation regularly provides meals to neighbors, resists the pressures of gentrification, and partners with local agencies to support families in need.
Her ministry also extends into the classroom. As an Adjunct Professor at McCormick, she has taught courses such as Accompaniment: Love Matters in the Work of Justice and Leadership Across Difference, and she currently co-learns with students at Cook County Jail. She has also served as a guest preacher, liturgical dancer, minister of the sacrament, and teacher, contributing her gifts to countless McCormick worship and classroom spaces over the years.
“She has and continues to be a voice and an advocate for the marginalized, the LGBTQ+ community, the homeless, and any person made voiceless by society,” reflects Priscilla Rodríguez, McCormick Program Coordinator. “Her love, compassion, and service strengthen the connection between Church and Society daily.”
Rooted in Community, Guided by Spirit
Rev. Dr. Pagán-Banks’ leadership is not confined to the pulpit or the classroom. She was recently elected to the 24th District Council of Chicago, a newly created body advancing community-centered police accountability. She is also trained in restorative justice circle keeping and yoga instruction, practices that reflect her holistic vision of justice and healing.
Her ministry is marked by collaboration and humility—seeking God’s guidance in decisions, empowering coalitions, and uplifting others’ leadership.
“She leads with the kind of strong understanding and compassion needed to sustain movements that result in real change,” affirms Rev. Attorney M. Michelle Day, founder of Nehemiah Trinity Rising.
A Voice for Liberation and Imagination
Rev. Dr. Pagán-Banks is an Afriquena queer womanist minister, healer, and visionary committed to liberating oppressed peoples, building power, and creating community. She serves as Executive Director of A Just Harvest, Pastor at San Lucas UCC, Vision Doula of the Black Flower Collective, adjunct professor at both McCormick and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and author.
Her ministry and advocacy have been recognized nationally, including receiving the 2024 Oikos Institute Social Impact Award for Fishing Differently®, which honors bold, innovative approaches to systemic challenges.
Celebrating a Distinguished Alumna
McCormick’s Distinguished Alumni/ae Award honors graduates who have demonstrated faithful leadership and significant contribution to ministry in church and society. Rev. Dr. Marilyn Pagán-Banks embodies this vision in her tireless pursuit of justice, her pastoral care, her teaching and mentoring, and her deep commitment to building beloved community.
We are honored to celebrate Rev. Dr. Marilyn Pagán-Banks as McCormick’s 2025 Distinguished Alumna.
Join us for the official award presentation during McCormick Days 2025.