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We are the University Chaplaincy - we are here for you.

Reporting to the University President, the University Chaplain leads the chaplaincy team, which currently includes an Africana Spirituality advisor, Buddhist chaplain, Catholic chaplain, Hindu advisor, Humanist chaplain, Jewish chaplain, Muslim chaplain, and Protestant chaplain. They serve the whole Tufts community – including those without a religious or philosophical affiliation – as well as their particular chaplaincies. The team also includes program and administrative staff, a music director, and student workers. Together, the office supports student communities, interfaith organizations, and university-wide programming. Chaplains are all confidential resources on campus, and serve the entire Tufts community. 

The Reverend Elyse Nelson Winger, M.Div.

University Chaplain

The Rev. Elyse Nelson Winger became the University Chaplain in October 2020. She leads the University Chaplaincy team in supporting all religious, spiritual, and philosophical life at Tufts; educates about spiritual and ethical issues in society and the world; and coordinates pastoral care, multifaith initiatives, and strategic partnerships around the university and beyond. Elyse is the University Chaplaincy liaison to Student Life, Tisch College, the Department of Religion, the Office of Equal Opportunity, the Office of Residential Life and Learning's Residential Life Coordinator (RLC) team, and the Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice. 

Elyse's Biography

Pronouns: She, her, hers

Goddard Chapel, 3 The Green, Medford, MA 02155

617-627-6024

Elyse is a confidential resource on campus.

Najiba Akbar, M.S.W.

Muslim Chaplain

Najiba Akbar was appointed Muslim Chaplain in Fall 2021. As Muslim Chaplain, Najiba advises and supports students active in the Muslim Student Association (MSA) and across Tufts’ campuses; offers programs that celebrate and explore the cultural and spiritual diversity of the Muslim community; provides pastoral care; and works alongside the University Chaplaincy team and campus partners on various interfaith, intercultural, social justice, and anti-racism initiatives. Najiba is the University Chaplaincy liaison to the Health Sciences Campus Wellness Office and the International Center.

Najiba's biography.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Najiba is a confidential resource on campus.

 

Preeta Banerjee, Ph.D.

Hindu Chaplain

Dr. Preeta Banerjee joined the team in August 2020. She is the first person to hold this position. She supports Hindu Life at Tufts, and works to advance the joys, concerns, and needs of the Hindu community. Preeta is the University Chaplaincy liaison to the Asian American Center, the Indigenous Center, and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

Preeta's biography. 

Pronouns: She, her, hers

Goddard Chapel, 3 The Green, Medford, MA 02155

617-627-6021

Preeta is a confidential resource on campus.

The Reverend Daniel Bell, M.Div.

Protestant Chaplain

The Reverend Daniel Bell was appointed Protestant Chaplain at Tufts University in August of 2016. As a member of the University Chaplaincy team, Dan is dedicated to enriching the spiritual and ethical lives of all those affiliated with Tufts, with a focus on the Protestant community. He works closely with the Tufts Protestant Students Association to develop the ecumenical Protestant community on campus. Dan works with students to coordinate worship services, spiritual formation activities, service and social justice projects, and ecumenical and interfaith initiatives. He also provides pastoral care to students, faculty, and staff. Dan is the University Chaplaincy liaison to the Health Sciences Campus Wellness Office, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, and the LGBT Center. 

Dan's biography

Pronouns: He, him, his

Interfaith Center,  58 Winthrop Street,  Medford, MA 02155

617-627-2097

Dan is a confidential resource on campus.

Rabbi Naftali Brawer, Ph.D.

Jewish Chaplain and Neubauer Executive Director, Tufts Hillel

Rabbi Naftali Brawer was appointed Tufts’ Jewish Chaplain and Neubauer Executive Director of Tufts Hillel in May 2018. Before coming to Tufts, Naftali was Chief Executive of the Spiritual Capital Foundation, a London-based think tank and consultancy on the centrality of values in organizations. Prior to that role, he was Senior Rabbi to the Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue in Northwest London, one of the largest Jewish congregations in Europe, with close to 1300 members. Naftali is the University Chaplaincy liaison to Dining Services.

Naftali's biography

Pronouns: He, him, his

Granoff Family Hillel Center,  220 Packard Avenue,  Medford, MA 02155

617-627-3242

Naftali is a confidential resource on campus.

Lynn Cooper, D.Min.

Associate Director, Catholic Chaplain

Lynn Cooper, A02 was appointed Catholic Chaplain in 2008. Since then Lynn has served the spiritual and sacramental needs of our diverse campus community. Lynn seeks to serve those who are united in Catholic life and worship, those who are attracted to the Catholic faith, and the larger Tufts community. Pastoral counseling, spiritual direction, retreats, study groups, and prayer groups extend this ministry to the many dimensions of the lives of students and others in the university community. Lynn also serves as the University Chaplaincy's Associate Director, assisting the University Chaplain with strategy and planning, and leading educational programming. Lynn is the University Chaplaincy liaison to the Counseling and Mental Health Services (CMHS), the Women's Center, Athletics, and the Office of Residential Life and Learning's Residential Life Coordinator (RLC) team.

Lynn's biography

Pronouns: She, her, hers

Interfaith Center,  58 Winthrop Street,  Medford, MA 02155

617-627-2044

Lynn is a confidential resource on campus.

Anthony Cruz Pantojas, M.A.T.S., M.A.L.S.

Humanist Chaplain

Anthony Cruz Pantojas was appointed Humanist Chaplain in Summer 2021. As Humanist Chaplain, Anthony supports the Humanist Community at Tufts (HCAT), offers pastoral care, and works alongside the University Chaplaincy team and campus partners on various interfaith, intercultural, social justice, and anti-racism initiatives. Anthony s the University Chaplaincy liaison to the Africana Center, FIRST Center, Latinx Center, and Tisch Library.

Anthony's biography.

Pronouns: they/he/elles

Anthony is a confidential resource on campus.

 

Ji Hyang Padma, Ph.D.

Buddhist Chaplain

Ji Hyang Padma was appointed Buddhist Chaplain in July, 2021. In this role, Ji Hyang supports student leaders of the Tufts Buddhist Mindfulness Sangha, develops and facilitates opportunities for all community members interested in practicing and exploring diverse Buddhist traditions and practices on campus, offers pastoral care, and works alongside the University Chaplaincy team and campus partners on various interfaith, intercultural, social justice, and anti-racism initiatives. Ji Hyang is the University Chaplaincy liaison to the School at the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA) Student Affairs Office. 

Pronouns: She, her, hers

Ji Hyang's biography.

Interfaith Center,  58 Winthrop Street,  Medford, MA 02155

Ji Hyang is a confidential resource on campus.

Chaplaincy Staff

Nora Bond, M.A.

Program Manager

Nora Bond joined the University Chaplaincy team in December 2019 as Program Manager. She coordinates programs and outreach efforts to integrate University Chaplaincy with all areas of the university and with external partners. Nora develops and manages departmental outreach and communication strategies for the University Chaplaincy to establish lively engagement with undergraduates, graduate students, staff, faculty, and local organizations. She is charged with overseeing the signature events of the University Chaplaincy, and she supervises the incredible student staff team who work with the office. Nora is the University Chaplaincy Liaison to the Office of Campus Life and to the  School of Arts and Engineering Advising Deans. 

Nora's biography

Pronouns: She, her, hers

Goddard Chapel,  3 The Green,  Medford, MA 02155

617-627-0532

Lindsey Chu

Administrative Coordinator
Lindsey joined the University Chaplaincy Team in July 2021 as Administrative Coordinator.  She provides specialized support to the University Chaplain and to the Chaplaincy to assist in running programs and helping to fulfill the Chaplaincy's mission and goals.

Pronouns: She, her, hers

Lindsey's Biography

Goddard Chapel, 3 The Green,  Medford, MA 02155
617-627-3427

Suzanne Cartreine, DMA

Music Director

Suzanne joined the team as Music Director in September 2022. She works with the Catholic and Protestant communities and provides musical accompaniment at University Chaplaincy signature events.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

She can also be reached at chaplaincymusic@tufts.edu

Suzanne's biography can be found here. 

Goddard Chapel, 3 The Green,  Medford, MA 02155
617-627-3427

Graduate Student Interns

Frances Lee

Harvard Divinity School Intern

Frances Lee is a chaplain intern at Tufts University for the 2023-2024 academic year. Frances will co-facilitate the Interfaith Student Council with intern supervisor, Lynn Cooper, as well as engage across our diverse communities. They are a third year Master of Divinity student at Harvard Divinity School studying Buddhist spiritual care, preaching and creative writing. Frances recently completed their first unit of clinical pastoral education as an interfaith chaplain at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. They enjoy supporting queer and trans students who are forging their own path within/without religious institutions. Frances is originally from Texas and recently moved to Somerville from the lush Pacific Northwest. In addition to serving at Tufts, they founded and co-lead The Greenhouse, a healing sanctuary and ritual incubator for BIPOC students at Harvard. In their free time, Frances loves being an indoor plant daddy and going in bike rides with their partner on the Somerville Community Path.

Pronouns: they/them/theirs