Seminary of the Southwest celebrates Rev. Dr. Dominique A. Robinson, Assistant Professor of Preaching, who was recognized by her alma mater, Candler School of Theology at Emory University, with the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award for Faithful and Creative Leadership. The award, presented on October 23, honors graduates whose ministries exemplify innovation, imagination, and deep faithfulness to the Gospel—qualities that have defined Dr. Robinson’s teaching and preaching throughout her career.
Candler shared in a press release, “The Distinguished Alumni Awards celebrate Candler graduates who embody the school’s mission through their service, creativity, and dedication to transforming communities.” Robinson received the award “in recognition for her extraordinary contributions as a Womanist homiletician, visionary scholar, and courageous advocate for justice. The first African American full-time faculty member at the Seminary of the Southwest, her groundbreaking research led to the creation of iHomiletic™: Preaching that Clicks, a consulting service that equips faith leaders to engage technology and social media linguistics in preaching. Robinson’s pioneering work in digital homiletics, coupled with her leadership as inaugural dean of Julius S. Scott Sr. Chapel at Wiley College, continues to shape the next generation of preachers. An itinerant elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, she also serves as project manager for the AMEZ Compelling Preaching Initiative, developing resources that strengthen Black Methodist preaching traditions. Robinson’s prophetic scholarship, creativity, and commitment to faith-filled innovation exemplify Candler’s vision for leadership in a changing world.” Read the full press release here.
“I am deeply honored to receive the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award for Faithful and Creative Leadership from Candler School of Theology,” shared Dr. Robinson. “Seminary of the Southwest has given me a sacred space to practice and refine my leadership as a preaching professor while nurturing ecumenical relationships that expand my perspective and deepen my call. I am profoundly grateful for the Southwest community that surrounds me with encouragement and care as I complete my Ph.D. and continue to grow as a faith leader, scholar, and teacher committed to forming the next generation of preachers.”
“We are so fortunate to have Dr. Robinson in this community,” shared academic dean, the Rev. Benjamin King, Ph.D. “Her presence on the faculty and in the classroom greatly enriches the seminary, while her amazing preaching speaks for itself. Candler chose well when they gave her the Distinguished Alumni Award and we are grateful beneficiaries of her faithful and creative leadership.”
Watch Dr. Robinson’s acceptance speech at Candler School of Theology here.
Photographer: Cecelia Jefferson, Website: ceceannphotos.com, Instagram: @cece.ann.photography
