Eli Rolón Jeong (he/him/his) grew up in a multicultural home in Puerto Rico eating kimchi and tostones before the fusion food craze would take over.  He spent his formative years in Chicago where he attended high school and earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the college of engineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He then worked in corporate business and retail management in Chicago and surrounding suburbs for several years. In 2008, sensing a new vocational call, Eli pursued graduate studies at Vanderbilt University where he earned a Master of Divinity, and the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, earning an MA in Ethics.

Eli is an ordained minister with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), currently serving as Associate Regional Minister for the Disciples’ Illinois & Wisconsin region. Throughout his ministerial and academic career, Eli has embraced the roles and responsibilities of teacher, researcher, mentor, facilitator, preacher, and more.

Eli is a vinyl record collector, live music enthusiast, and avid home cook.