CACS is pleased to Welcome Natalie Marie Ward as the Administrative Coordinator. Please read her introduction below in her own words:
Hello everyone! My name is Natalie Marie Ward, and I am delighted to be joining the excellent team of faculty, staff, and students at the Center for Anglican Communion Studies. I come to this position with over 5 years of nonprofit experience as well as 6 years of experience working in higher education in both teaching and administrative roles. However, it is my experience traveling, living, studying and working abroad which makes me particularly interested in the work at CACS.
I have always been internationally inclined, dreaming of living abroad from a young age, always finding myself reading about different cultures and learning from their wisdom. I accomplished my goal when I was invited to work with my professor of Anthropology whose fieldwork focused on childhood malnutrition in the peri-urban island of Port Vila, Vanuatu. I then spent 6 months at Stellenbosch University, studying peace and reconciliation in the South African context. Shortly after, I continued my studies at the University of Manchester in England where I completed two master’s degrees in Peace and Conflict Studies and Visual Anthropology. After completing my degrees, I found myself called to service, choosing to work as an AmeriCorps Volunteer in North Carolina during the Covid-19 Pandemic where I advocated to local businesses, governments, and nonprofit organizations on behalf of the needs of the homeless and other food insecure populations. I then continued this work remotely from the Netherlands where I stayed for 3 years until 2024 when I returned to my home in Maryland.
Now, as a member of the VTS Family, I hope to bring my international perspective and mission-based work ethic to the Center for Anglican Communion Studies! I am excited to learn and welcome any one to approach me if you would like to know more about who I am and what I hope to bring to the Center. I can’t wait to see what my time working with CACS will bring!
Natalie Ward, M.A., M.Dip. (She/Her/Hers)
Administrative Coordinator Center for Anglican Communion Studies