Rob came to UE as a visiting professor of sociology in 2015 while completing his doctoral work in applied sociology at the University of Louisville. In 2016, he continued teaching in the Department of Law, Politics, and Society as an assistant professor of sociology. Dr. Shelby taught several core courses, including Introduction to Sociology, Race and Ethnic Relations, and Community Organization. In 2019, Dr. Shelby transitioned from teaching and became the University’s second Chief Diversity Officer. That same year, he established the Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, now known as the Center for Inclusive Excellence. Another milestone occurred in 2022 when the Division of Talent and Community was established. Dr. Shelby was tapped to be the Vice President for the new division while retaining responsibilities as the Chief Inclusion and Equity Officer.

Professor of Religious Studies, is the Program Director of the Social Justice program and Race & Ethnicity Studies. Dr. Stein has been at the University of Evansville since 2002. She teaches a wide range of courses situated at the intersection of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion and social change. Dr. Stein earned her ThD in Hebrew Bible/Old Testament from Harvard University. Her research centers on the use, influence, and impact of religion on issues of gender, sexuality, colonialism, and race.| Stein's book, Anti-cultic Theology in Christian Biblical Interpretation: A Study of Isaiah 66:1-4 and Its Reception grounded the discussion of Christian anti-Jewish interpretation of the Hebrew Bible in the analysis of a particular passage. She shows that the widely held Christian interpretation of Isaiah 66:1-4 as an indictment against the Jerusalem temple and cult - and thereby God's rejection of Judaism - is motivated by a theology of substitution that sees the Church as the new Israel. Stein has also presented and published on how interpretations of biblical women reflect social attitudes and beliefs with respect to gender (see, for example, her articles “Know*Be*Do: Using the Bible to Teach Ethics to Children” and “Gender Components in Dramatic Retellings of Judith”). Her current research (see “Privileging God the Father: The Neoliberal Theology of the Evangelical Orphan Care Movement” in The Politics of Reproduction: Adoption, Abortion, and surrogacy in the Age of Neoliberalism) uses postcolonial and feminist methods of biblical criticism to show how evangelical Christian theology interprets the Bible to align the adoptive parents with God and thus effectively to allow for the dismissal of ethical concerns associated with adoption and foster care. In the case of international adoption, this “Gospel-centered” adoption takes advantage of Western privilege to victimize women in developing nations as a form of Christian neocolonialism. She problematizes the role of transracial adoption in the Evangelical orphan care movement as a visual evangelism.

Robert Lopez, a graduate in Ethics and Social Change, traces his journey from Bosse High School to the University of Evansville. His dedication to innovation and community engagement became evident early on when he participated twice in UE’s High School Changemaker Challenge, securing third and second place respectively. Robert's visionary idea of establishing a city-block sized wetland education park in downtown Evansville, aimed at water filtration and fostering economic development, has been central to his ChangeLab projects since his freshman year at UE.

This commitment to innovation continued as he transitioned to the role of Office Operations Coordinator for the Center for Innovation & Change. With a wealth of experience gained over seven years with CIC as a student, Robert is dedicated to fostering a culture of innovation and efficiency in his role. Recognized as the epitome of a UE changemaker, Robert is poised to witness the realization of his idea, a testament to his commitment and forward-thinking approach.