Eilish Ryan

Sister Eilish Ryan is currently Professor Emerita of Religious Studies and and continues to teach undergraduate courses in Religious Studies.

Dr. Ryan came to Incarnate Word College (now University) in August 1980 as Campus Minister. In 1981 she assumed the leadership of the Pastoral Institute, while remaining Campus Minister until 1986. After completing the doctoral degree, she resumed being Director of the Pastoral Institute and teaching Religious Studies on both the undergraduate and graduate levels until 2016

A native of Dublin, Ireland, Sister Eilish came to San Antonio with her family in 1955. She entered the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word in 1959, after graduating from Incarnate Word High School. In her early teaching years she taught at Incarnate Word schools in San Antonio, Ft. Worth, San Angelo, and New Orleans.

B.A. in Secondary Education (Math/English) in 1968 from Incarnate Word College and holds a lifetime Texas Secondary Education Teaching Certificate.

M.A. degrees in Religious Studies at Incarnate Word College (1976),

M.A. in Mental Health Counseling from St. Mary’s University, San Antonio (1984). She held a Texas License in Mental Health Counseling from 1986-2017.

Th.D. Doctorate in Theology in Pastoral Theology from University of St. Michael's College, University of Toronto, in 1994.

• 1980-2016 IWC/UIW
• 1980-1986 Campus Minister (with Fr. Jack O'Donoghue), and 1981-1986 on taught College Algebra and Religious studies.
• 1981 began as director of the Pastoral Institute
• 1986-1989 Taught Religious Studies
• 1994-2016 Director of the Pastoral Institute and teaching undergraduate and graduate Religious Studies
• Retired, June 1, 2016, awarded Professor Emerita

• College Theological Society
• Catholic Theology Society of America
• American Academy of Religion
• Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality

• music, choir
• travel
• walking

• Moody Professor, 2006-2007
• Called and Gifted Award, Assoc. of Graduate Programs in Ministry, 2008
• Sister Pierre Cinquin "Faith" Award
• Professor Emerita, UIW 2016

• Texas Teacher Certificate, Lifetime, Secondary Ed, 1970
• LPC Licensed Professional Counselor (Texas) 1986-2017

• UIW Curriculum Committee 2001-2003
• Graduate Council 1996-2002
• Grievance Committee, 2000-2001, 2003-2004
• Rank and Tenure Committee (?? dates)
• Search Committees, multiple
• Mission Effectiveness Committee 1996
• Nominating committee 1998-1999
• New Faculty Mentor
• many smaller committees and studies

• Pastoral Theology and ministry, Liturgy
• Contemporary Christian spirituality, Celtic spirituality
• Church history

• The Religious Quest
• Spirituality and Prayer
• Church History
• Liturgy
• Spirituality and Culture
• Intro to Pastoral Studies
• Spirituality and Ministry
• Vatican II
• Western Christian Spirituality
• Practicum