Per our mission statement, WCU develops graduates to contribute to the common good, in part by helping students effectively and participate in civic discourse and engage inclusively in a diverse society.
Per our values statement, we affirm the worth and dignity of each member and the shared responsibility of all to treat each other as individuals, with respect and courtesy.
To further enact our mission and values, this project aims to develop a sustainable network of faculty, staff, students, and community members who support the diverse ways students orient around religious and philosophical worldviews in order to make meaning of their lives and connect to the world around them. Though interfaith efforts have been happening organically in various sectors of campus, a new project aims to bring these efforts together collaboratively under an increasingly formalized structure to support, equip, and celebrate interfaith leadership efforts. This new project is called the Interfaith, Meaning-Making, and Spirituality Project.
View the Religious Life Directory
The project is directed by
Dr. Zachary C. Wooten, Assistant Professor of Leadership Studies and
Dr. Matthew Pierlott, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Chair of the Philosophy Department
with support from The Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Goal of the Interfaith, Meaning-Making, and Spirituality Project
This project aims to build a sustainable structure of support for efforts related to interfaith, meaning-making, and spirituality through three primary initiatives:
The Student Interfaith Action Committee
- (a co-curricular committee)
- Led by Junior Cell and Molecular Biology and Philosophy Double Major Gabrielle Steffy
- The Student Interfaith Action Committee exists to connect people of all worldviews, religions, and life philosophies by partnering with campus and community organizations to facilitate dialogue and collective action.
- Click here to contact Gabi and join the committee!
The Faculty and Staff Interfaith Advisory Board
- The WCU Faculty & Staff Advisory Board exists to advocate for and holistically support West Chester University students, faculty, and staff as a means of building cultural competence and working for the common good. We do this by fostering religious pluralism as part of our understanding of diversity and inclusion while addressing xenophobia as well as both reducing and preventing harm.
- The Advisory Board is currently seeking a director or co-director and can resume operation once new leadership is identified. Please email Dr. Zach Wooten or Dr. Matt Pierlott if interested.
The Interfaith Leadership Fellows
- (a paid campus peer educator program housed in partnership with philosophy)
- The mission of the Interfaith Leadership Fellowship program is to equip undergraduate students with the needed skills to bridge religious and spiritual divisions within West Chester University by having a Pluralistic vision, acquiring knowledge, and developing the skill set to foster an understanding of different faiths, cultures, philosophies, and worldviews for the common good.
News
Interfaith Fellows
Nasha Yisrael
Nasha is an undergraduate student at West Chester University studying Finance with
a minor in Studio Art. Coming from a religious background, Nasha was drawn to the
Interfaith, Meaning-Making, and Spirituality project because she wants to gain a deeper
understanding of how people of various religions and spiritualities can build meaningful
connections regardless of their differences. Being an Interfaith fellow has given
her the opportunity to meet new people from different communities and work with them
to contribute to the common good. In her free time, she enjoys reading, being a part
of the Art Club as the treasurer, and dancing with the University Dance Company. Nasha
manages the Interfaith social media and is working to build campus and community partnerships
focused on spirituality and the arts.
Fun fact: I used to be in a band and perform at gigs.
Liam McDonnell (He/Him)
Liam is an undergraduate majoring in business management. As an Interfaith Leadership
Fellow,, Liam is responsible for the social media outreach to the West Chester community.
Liam attended Catholic school and the opportunity to think about the impact of religion
on identity sparked his interest to join the Interfaith Leadership Fellowship. Liam
is looking forward to work with community partners and different religious leaders
to improve his communication skills. Becoming an interfaith fellow has allowed Liam
to gain the knowledge working with people of all different religious, spiritual, and
philosophical backgrounds. Liam spends most of his time hanging out with his friends
and takes part in a fundraising group called the Ancient Order of The Hibernians.
This Irish group of men work in the Doylestown community and put together events for
those in need.
Fun Fact: Liam started all four years on his high school basketball team.
Xavier Woodall
Xavier is a transfer student enrolled in West Chester University's nutrition program.
Xavier says that in a battle with cancer, he found salvation; which galvanized him
to learn more about faith and exercise spirituality. Xavier was raised Christian by
a mother with a master's in theology. Like many, he has gone through the motions with
faith, but a desire to be closer to his juvenescence has inspired a desire to be closer
to his spirit. Xavier is thrilled to be a part of the interfaith project and learn
more about philosophical and religious worldviews from other perspectives. He passionately
believes the interfaith project is a fruitful way to develop lifelong communication
and leadership skills. In his free time, Xavier keeps himself busy with exercise,
reading, and video games. Due to spending most of his early years in art school, Xavier
has become knowledgeable in subjects like film and music.
Fun Fact: Xavier attended the same school from kindergarten to twelfth grade.
Zachary Bittner
Yashimabet Burke
Faculty Highlight
Dr. Zachary Wooten, Dr. Matthew Pierlott, and WCU Alumna Lizzie Gittleson published an article in the Journal of Leadership Education about the first woman to be ordained as a Rabbi.
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