#  Graduate Profile: Renee Susanto, MDiv ’25  

 



GRADUATE PROFILE

### Renee Susanto, MDiv ’25 

 

"l’m grateful that HDS showed me that a community like this, amidst all the crazy circumstances we live in, is very much real and still possible and I hope to continue to cultivate similar communities post-HDS!"



 



      ![Renee Susanto headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-05/ReneeSusanto.png?h=359c4c57&itok=L6Z20VGb) 

 

 

  

 



 

 

 

 

 

### How I've Changed 

I really grew (and am still growing) into my adult self—learning to take care of myself and others and the importance of BIPOC community in shaping and nourishing me! l’m grateful that HDS showed me that a community like this, amidst all the crazy circumstances we live in, is very much real and still possible and I hope to continue to cultivate similar communities post-HDS!

### Memorable Moment

Heckling Matta and Sam during HDS trivia, eating too much candy in the OSL office, Jews 4 Liberation's Passover Seder, the Burning Refuge Retreat and Conference, hosting a community Lunar New Year celebration with Auds and Matta, and so many more wonderful events thrown by my talented classmates!

### Favorite Class or Professor

“Animals and the Unseen” with Teren Sevea (this class genuinely altered my brain chemistry in a way I didn't think was possible), “Narratives of Belonging Displacement in Israel-Palestine" with Hilary, Atalia, Diane, and Reem, Annette Lienau’s “Literature and Cinema in Southeast Asia,” and of course, all the Art, Film, and Visual Studies (AFVS) classes I took!

### Message of Thanks 

My community (Julianne, Sara Jay, Karthik, Auds, Ale, Sam, Connor, Christina, and so many more), who made this move to Boston possible and supported me through this entire journey! Big shout out to Hans for driving me to Costco the weekend after I moved in!

My advisers, Teren and Annette, for supporting me in pursuing dreams of Southeast Asia and to all the AFVS faculty I took classes with who believed in my art and gave me thoughtful feedback.

My undergraduate advisers, Erin Runions and Zayn Kassam for encouraging me to apply and ultimately giving me the encouragement I needed to go

Katie Caponera and Eddy—most valuable staff members of HDS f’real—thank you for helping us plan our events and being such a warm, welcoming presence at HDS!

### What I Hope to Be Remembered By

A community builder, an immigrant woman who excels at feeding others and throwing damn good dinner parties!

### Future Plans

I’m off to Indonesia this summer for an in-country Indonesia language intensive and then we’ll figure it out!



 



 

 See also:- [ Commencement ](/featured-feeds/commencement)
- [ Graduate Profiles 2025 - MDiv ](/featured-feeds/graduate-profiles-2025-mdiv)