Ali Lopez-Valcarcel (Class of 2031, At Large) originally from Puerto Rico, a US Army Veteran, served as Chaplain Assistant in the US Army for 9 years. After completing military service, Pastor Ali relocated to the Rio Grande Valley, a place she has called home for over 15 years. There, she graduated from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Social Work, where she earned a Master of Social Work.
After graduation Pastor Ali served in various Social Work positions including an unaccompanied minor shelter for migrants and at a Veterans Affairs Health Care Center.
Rev. Ali is a graduate from Brite Divinity School and an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ. Rev. Lopez-Valcarcel currently leads The United Church of Christ Rio Grande Valley, an emerging congregation that seeks to do justice in the RGV for migrants, refugees, people in the margins and LGBTQ individuals in Brownsville, TX. Rev. Ali is also an adjunct professor of the school of Social Work at UTRGV where she teaches future Social Workers.
Ali’s biggest passion is to share the expansive love and grace of God to all of God’s creation by advocating for justice and equality for all of God’s people.