Meet Our Team

University Chaplain and Professor of the Practice, Tisch College 

Liaison to
Office of Student Life; Tisch College for Civic Life; Department of Religion; Office of Equal Opportunity; Office of Residential Life and Learning’s Residential Life Coordinator team; and the Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice. 

Education 

• M.Div., The University of Chicago  

• Certificate of Studies, The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago  

• B.A., Wellesley College  

Biography
The Rev. Elyse Nelson Winger serves as University Chaplain at Tufts University. Reporting to the Office of the President, she leads the Office of Religious and Philosophical Life, supporting the religious, spiritual, ethical, and philosophical life of the university community across Tufts’ campuses. Her work includes advancing spiritual care, interfaith engagement, ethical reflection, educational programming, and community-building. Before joining Tufts in 2020, Elyse served as Associate Dean of Students and Chaplain at Illinois Wesleyan University. An ordained minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, she has also served congregations in Cairo, Egypt; Dearborn, Michigan; and Bloomington, Illinois. 

Elyse is a confidential resource on campus. 

Senior Associate University Chaplain
Director of Catholic Life | Supervisor, HDS Field Intern | Co-facilitator, Interfaith Student Council  

Liaison to
Athletics; Counseling and Mental Health Services; Women’s Center. 

Education 

• B.A., Tufts University  

• M.Div., Harvard University  

• D.Min., Boston University School of Theology  

Biography
Since 2008, Lynn Cooper, A02, has served the spiritual and sacramental needs of Tufts’ diverse campus community. A Tufts alumna and former member of the Women’s Soccer Team, Lynn brings a deep connection to the university and its students to her work. Her scholarship explores spirituality, sacramental living, interfaith friendship, and connection in higher education. She is the author of Embracing Our Time: The Sacrament of Interfaith Friendship, published in 2025. 

Lynn is a confidential resource on campus. 

Associate University Chaplain
Director of Protestant Life | Facilitator, Inter-Christian Council | Co-facilitator, Graduate Interfaith Student Council  

Liaison to
Boston Health Sciences; Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine; Fletcher School; LGBT Center. 

Education 

• M.Div., Yale Divinity School  

• M.A.R., Yale Divinity School  

• B.A., Gordon College  

Biography
The Rev. Daniel Bell has served as Protestant Chaplain at Tufts since 2016. He works with students to develop and strengthen the ecumenical Protestant community through worship, spiritual formation, service, social justice, and interfaith initiatives. Dan also provides spiritual care to students, faculty, and staff and leads a weekly Bible study and prayer group for faculty and staff. An Episcopal priest, he brings experience in campus ministry, parish ministry, and Clinical Pastoral Education to his work. 

Dan is a confidential resource on campus. 

Executive Director of Tufts Hillel and Jewish Chaplain 

Education 

• Ph.D., Hebrew and Jewish Studies, University College London  

• Orthodox Rabbinic Ordination  

Biography
Rabbi Naftali Brawer has served as Tufts’ Jewish Chaplain and Executive Director of Tufts Hillel since 2018. Before joining Tufts, he served as Chief Executive of the Spiritual Capital Foundation, a London-based think tank and consultancy, and as Senior Rabbi of the Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue in Northwest London. His work is driven by a commitment to supporting students as they explore and discover a Judaism that is meaningful and relevant to them. Naftali is also an author, broadcaster, and scholar with academic interests in mysticism and theology. 

Naftali is a confidential resource on campus. 

Associate University Chaplain
Director of Humanist Life and Africana Spiritual Life | Co-facilitator, Interfaith Ambassador Team  

Liaison to
Africana Center; LatinX Center; GLAD-I; Tisch Library; StAAR Center; Counseling and Mental Health Services. 

Education 

• Ph.D. Candidate, Cultural Studies, Universidad Ana G. Méndez, Puerto Rico  

• M.A.T.S., Andover Newton Theological School  

• M.A.L.S., Meadville Lombard Theological School  

• Graduate Certificate in Anti-Racist Curatorial Practice, Tufts University  

Biography
Anthony Cruz Pantojas, MATS, MALS, BCC, serves as Tufts’ Humanist Chaplain and Director of Humanist Life and Africana Spiritual Life. They joined the team in 2021 and support ethical inquiry, identity development, leadership, and civic engagement through collaborative projects with the campus community. Anthony is a board-certified chaplain and scholar whose work centers perspectives from the Global South. During their time at Tufts, they have expanded the visibility and impact of Humanist Chaplaincy and helped secure national recognition and awards for its innovative programming. 

Anthony is a confidential resource on campus. 

Associate University Chaplain
Director of Muslim Life | Co-facilitator, Interfaith Student Council  

Liaison to
Boston Health Sciences; Tufts Dining; International Center. 

Education 

• Ph.D., University of Notre Dame  

• M.A., Islamic Studies, Harvard Divinity School  

• B.A., Arabic Studies and Chinese Studies, Williams College  

Biography
Khan Asfandyar Shairani serves as the Associate University Chaplain and Director of Muslim Life at Tufts. Appointed to the role in Fall 2024 after serving as interim chaplain, Khan is also a research scholar specializing in the history of Islamic traditions in the Indian Ocean world. His academic and professional work has included archival research, translation, and engagement with Islamic scholarly communities across a range of languages and regions. He brings a broad understanding of Islamic intellectual traditions to his work with the Tufts community. 

Khan is a confidential resource on campus. 

Associate Director for Programs
Oversees programs and outreach efforts across the ORPL | Develops departmental outreach and communication strategies | Oversees signature ORPL events | Supervises the student staff team  

Liaison to
Campus Life; AS&E Advising Deans; Alumni Relations. 

Education 

• B.A., Psychology, Mount Holyoke College  

• M.A., Child Study and Human Development, Tufts University  

Biography
Nora joined Tufts ORPL in 2019 and became Associate Director for Programs in 2023. She works to strengthen connections between the Chaplaincy, the broader university community, and external partners through programming, outreach, and communications. Before coming to Tufts, Nora served as an Interfaith Advisor at Mount Holyoke College and as Director of Training and Facilitation for Convergence on Campus. A certified spiritual director and Movement Chaplain, she believes spiritual development is an essential part of education and student well-being. 

Senior Administrative Coordinator

Provides specialized administrative support to the ORPL team | Supports departmental programs, operations, and the office’s mission and goals  

Education 

• B.A., Economics and Environmental Studies, Tufts University  

Biography
Lindsey joined the ORPL team in 2021 as Administrative Coordinator. She provides specialized support to the University Chaplain and the broader ORPL team, helping coordinate the work and operations that support the office’s programs and mission. Before joining Tufts, Lindsey worked in environmental nonprofit programming, human resources in higher education, and office management. Across these roles, she developed a passion for behind-the-scenes work that helps people and organizations thrive. 

Director of Music
Provides music for weekly gatherings and special observances | Directs Voices for Peace and Light, an interfaith and multigenerational choir | Oversees the Choral and Piano Scholars Program | Provides musical accompaniment for ORPL signature events  

Liaison to
Music Department

Education 

• Degrees in Historical Performance, Piano Performance, and Physics  

• Boston University  

• Temple University  

• Macalester College  

Biography
Suzanne joined the Tufts University as Music Director in 2022. She brings music into the life of ORPL through weekly gatherings, special observances, and signature university events. Suzanne also directs Voices for Peace and Light and oversees the Choral and Piano Scholars Program. A performer, pianist, and organist, she has appeared in solo and chamber recitals at venues across the country and has sung with several choral ensembles. She currently serves as organist and Director of Music at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Wellesley Hills. 

Prakruthi Ramesh joined the University Chaplaincy team in Spring 2025 as Graduate Programming Intern and now serves as Program Coordinator for Buddhist and Hindu Life. She coordinates programs and community engagement for the Buddhist and Hindu communities, supports Graduate interfaith initiatives across the University Chaplaincy, and serves as the University Chaplaincy liaison to the Asian American Center.