Claudia Highbaugh

Keynoter Speaker for Next Generation Leadership

The Reverend Dr. Claudia Ann Highbaugh, ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), is a native of Chicago, Illinois. Born and raised in inner-city Chicago, Claudia enjoyed the early educational foundation of St. Edmund's Parochial School (Episcopal) and the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, High School. She holds the Bachelor of Arts in English from Hiram College, and the Doctor of Ministry from the School of Theology at Claremont.

The Reverend Highbaugh served for twelve years as the Chaplain at the Harvard Divinity School with responsibilities for the program of ministry and worship studies in the Master of Divinity Program. Formerly she was the Associate University Chaplain at Yale University, with the additional tasks of Lecturer at the Yale Divinity School and Associate Pastor at the Black Church at Yale (a congregation worshiping in the African American tradition serving the student community). She is retired from a long career in Higher Education in 2018 following 12 years at Connecticut College.

Throughout her forty-five year career in higher education and ministry, the Reverend Highbaugh has maintained a strong involvement as an activist in church and community organizations that focus on the welfare of children and young adults. Her writing, and active interests in events, programs and activities focus on issues of justice, inclusion and hospitality. In 2007, Claudia Highbaugh was awarded the Alumni Achievement Award, which “honors individuals who have notable accomplishments in their professional field, have been of service to others, and, in doing so, have brought recognition and honor to Hiram College. “

With Stephen Butler Murray and David Bartlett, the Reverend Highbaugh has published Crossing By Faith Sermons on the Journey from Youth to Adulthood (Chalice Press, 2003). Her publications include articles in the Harvard Divinity Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion, the fall of 2007 and 2008 editions, and the contemporary Biblical Commentaries, Feasting on the Word, and Feasting on the Gospels, published by the Presbyterian, Westminster John Knox Press.

Over the years, the Reverend Highbaugh has worked on a variety of boards whose work has a focus on child development and education, including:

Board of Trustees Waterford Country School, Waterford, Ct.
Board of Trustees Ursinus College, Collegeville, Pa.
Board of Directors Kente Cultural Center, New London, Ct.
Affiliated Minister Memorial Church in Harvard Yard
Board of Ministry Harvard University, Cambridge, Ma.
Currently, she serves on the Board of Trustees at her alma mater, Hiram College and the Disciples Divinity House at the University of Chicago