Hugo Magallanes to lead Hispanic Initiatives at Perkins

DALLAS (SMU) – Leighton K. Farrell Endowed Dean Bryan P. Stone of Perkins School of Theology at SMU has appointed Hugo Magallanes, Ph.D., as director of Hispanic Initiatives, effective Jan. 1, 2027. The new role reflects Perkins' commitment to prioritizing Spanish-language programs and outreach.

Magallanes will continue to lead CASA (Centro de Acompañamiento, Solidaridad y Adiestramiento), the annual Roy D. Barton Lectureship and the journal Apuntes, as well as Perkins' Course of Study School in both English and Spanish. He will also serve as director of Spanish-language degree programs, reporting to the associate dean for academic affairs. In that role he will help make Perkins' first-level master's degrees accessible to Spanish speakers in the United States and internationally.

Magallanes has served as associate dean for academic affairs since 2019, when he was appointed by then-Dean Craig Hill. He led Perkins through the pandemic and through several transitions in the dean's office, including a term as dean ad interim during the 2024–25 academic year. He guided the faculty through the adoption of a new curriculum and expanded Perkins' capacity in online and hybrid teaching.

Magallanes has also helped Perkins expand its outreach to Spanish-speaking communities, much of it through the CASA Pathways for Ministry certificate program. The Spanish-language program serves pastors with no formal training, lay pastors and others with pastoral experience in the Houston, McAllen and Dallas-Fort Worth areas.

"We are all indebted to Hugo for his leadership over the years and I am grateful to him for advising me so well as I transitioned into the deanship over the last year. I can't imagine where Perkins would be without him," said Stone.

"As I prepare to transition into my new role, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the incredible years the academic affairs team shared. Looking back at my time with this team, I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished together and deeply grateful for the unwavering support during difficult times, including the pandemic and changes such as the implementation of a new curriculum. Thank you for being such phenomenal colleagues, and while I am excited for this next chapter, in which I hope to expand Perkins' reach in the growing Hispanic community, I will truly miss our daily collaborations, and I look forward to staying in touch as we all continue to grow," said Magallanes.

James K. Lee, Ph.D., professor of the history of early Christianity, will succeed Magallanes as associate dean for academic affairs.

SMU Perkins School of Theology, founded in 1911, is one of five official University-related schools of theology of The United Methodist Church. Degree programs include the Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred Music, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Arts in Ministry, Master of Theology, Doctor of Ministry, and Doctor of Pastoral Music as well as the Ph.D., in cooperation with The Graduate Program in Religious Studies at SMU's Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences.