Alexandria Da Ponte-Cheatham

Alexandria Da Ponte-Cheatham has held a variety of roles in the past ten years. In 2021, they were a Care Manager at Empathy, where they accompanied families through every aspect of a loved one's death, acted as a point of contact for the deceased's next of kin and family members, and provided support, guidance, and end-to-end remote operational assistance. In 2019, they were the Associate Director of Operations at the Duke University Center for Global Women's Health Technologies, where they organized and hosted community engagement events, was responsible for program coordination and event management, and managed the onboarding for new students and staff. Also in 2019, they were a Visitor Relations & Wedding Assistant at Duke University Chapel, where they communicated effectively as an ambassador for the Chapel and the University, welcomed visitors, and offered information. In 2018, they were a Chaplain Resident at Seton Medical Center, where they lead chaplain at Dell Children's Hematology & Oncology units, was responsible for providing care to patients, families, and staff of diverse cultural and religious traditions, and served as on-call chaplain to attend emergency care at 4 hospitals. In 2016, they were a First Impressions & Local Outreach Associate at The Summit Church, where they served as the point person on Sunday mornings, managed the budget for church projects, and organized local outreach and community outreach opportunities throughout North Durham. Also in 2018, they were a Chaplain Intern at Duke University Hospital, where they provided spiritual care and compassionate presence twelve hours a week to over thirty patients on the pediatric unit. In 2017, they were an Admissions Ambassador at Duke Divinity School, where they lead prospective students on tours of the Divinity School and facilitated conversations with students as they discern a call towards ministry and Duke Divinity. In the same year, they were a Prison Engagement Intern at School for Conversion, where they assisted in planning a fundraiser event, facilitated discussion for a book study course in the women's prison, and planned syllabus and facilitated discussion for a community course about families and incarceration. In 2015, they were a Graduate Resident Assistant at Duke University, where they served as a leader, mentor and advisor for 6 resident assistants and 250 residents, and was responsible for implementing opportunities for engagement of academics, service and community activities. Lastly, in 2016, they were a Pastoral Intern at Wesley United Methodist Church, where they assisted in pastoral duties, developed youth curriculum for summer Bible study, and engaged congregation through worship and preaching opportunities.

Alexandria Da Ponte-Cheatham has a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English Language and Literature, General from Samford University, obtained in 2014. Alexandria then pursued a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) in Prison Ministry from Duke Divinity School, obtained in 2018. In 2022, they are currently pursuing a M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from William & Mary - School of Education. In 2021, they obtained a Grief Educator Certification from David Kessler & Grief.com and a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate from USF Corporate Training and Professional Education.