Interfaith Ambassadors
In Fall 2021, the Tufts University Chaplaincy piloted a new Interfaith Ambassador Program for undergraduate students. This team of Interfaith Ambassadors works together to understand and engage religious diversity on campus, in their own communities, and in the world. Ambassadors actively foster interfaith community with curiosity about the lived experiences of people with diverse religious, spiritual, and philosophical identities and create spaces to facilitate learning, dialogue and action related to these kinds of questions: What does it mean to live democratically with religious diversity? How do we bring our own personal values and practices into the work for social justice? What is the role of interfaith communities in becoming an anti-racist campus community? How do religious and non-religious communities and individuals work together for the common good? Ambassadors have the opportunity to learn more about their own beliefs; to explore what interfaith engagement means to them; and to deepen their understandings of civic engagement, justice, and peace in a pluralistic world. Ambassadors have the opportunity to participate in leadership development across campus and at conferences throughout the year.
The Ambassador team is supervised by University Chaplaincy Elyse Nelson Winger and receives guidance and support from the whole Chaplaincy team. Ambassadors work 6-8 hours per week. Hours include weekly team meetings as well as scheduled hours for study, program development, and program leadership. Students join planning teams for key signature events including Pax et Lux and the MLK Day of Community Action and also work alongside staff and faculty in the development of the new religious diversity and civic life program sponsored by Tisch College for Civic Life, the Religion Department, and the University Chaplaincy.
Fall 2024 Interfaith Ambassadors
Ananya Gita
Ananya Gita
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Class Year: 2025
Major: Political Science, Spanish
Hometown: New York, NY
Interests/Extracurriculars: Animals and time in nature, dancing, reading, Tisch Scholars
Why are you excited to work with the Interfaith Ambassador team?:I am excited to collaborate with the other ambassadors for meaningful projects and ideas, I am also eager to learn about how we can bridge existing divides between communities using religion and the love and understanding it fosters. I want to help build common ground through interfaith organizing and also host events at Tufts.
Julia Appel
Julia Appel
Class Year: 2025
Major: International Relations
Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
Interests/Extracurriculars: Quizbowl, COFFEE, knitting, speaking extremely ungrammatical Russian, meandering
Why are you excited to work with the Interfaith Ambassador team?: I love getting to work with all of these brilliant, empathetic, insightful people. I'm very excited to collaborate on a new year of programming intended to bring communities together.
Shahadah Manzer
Shahadah Manzer
Class Year: 2026
Major: Computer Science
Hometown: Bedford, MA
Interests/Extracurriculars: MSA Eboard, Tufts WiT, Nature walks, eating at restaurants and cafes
Why are you excited to work with the Interfaith Ambassador team?:Faith and learning about my religion has been a big aspect of my life and is something I'm still working on till this day. Similarly everyone has their own religious, cultural, etc. identities that they hold dearly, so I would love to hear more and be able to share more on my experiences.
Elijah Mirman
Elijah Mirman
Pronouns: they/them
Class Year: 2027
Major: BFA - Studio Art; BA - "Mindfulness as Medicine" (an interdisciplinary degree)
Hometown: Sarasota, FL
Interests/Extracurriculars: TBMS (Tufts Buddhist Mindfulness Sangha), TURBO (Breakin' club), learning people's perspectives on life, cloud gazing, touching grass
Why are you excited to work with the Interfaith Ambassador team?: I think we are living in a time where difference in life outlooks or backgrounds have become a justification for divisiveness. I am enamored by people's differences, and how they make us all unique. Having a foothold in interfaith work allows me to express my deep love for humans as their whole selves, and hold that love foremost, regardless of whatever disagreements we may have.
Tyler Kwong
Tyler Kwong
Class Year: 2027
Major: Quantitative Economics
Hometown: Hingham, MA
Interests/Extracurriculars: COFFEE, violin, running, tennis, baking
Why are you excited to work with the Interfaith Ambassador team?: Why are you excited to work with the Interfaith Ambassador team?:
I am excited to work with the Interfaith Ambassadors team because I get to meet many different types of people. I always learn something new whenever I talk to another ambassador or chaplain. Spending time with interesting individuals always brightens my day.
Laquasha Belle
Laquasha Belle
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Class Year: 2027
Major: Engineering Psychology, minor in religious studies
Hometown: Norwalk, CT
Interests/Extracurriculars: Caribbean Students Organization, Tufts Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Girls Gains, going to the gym, baking
Why are you excited to work with the Interfaith Ambassador team?: I love the study of religion and its intersections between faiths that are not presented as similar. I have always been involved in interfaith work as I was raised in a diverse faith community in my hometown of Connecticut. Working as an ambassador allows me to advocate and to learn and grow deeper spiritual connections with others as I grow in my own spiritual practices.
Niam Lakhani
Niam Lakhani
Class Year: 2027
Major: Computer Science
Hometown:North London UK
Interests/Extracurriculars: Cocoa, afro dance, WMFO Djing,
Why are you excited to work with the Interfaith Ambassador team?:I am excited to collaborate with the other ambassadors for meaningful projects and ideas, I am also eager to learn about how we can bridge existing divides between communities using religion and the love and understanding it fosters. I want to help build common ground through interfaith organizing and also host events at Tufts.
Eva Sheedy
Eva Sheedy
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Class Year: 2025
Major: Sociology
Hometown: South Orange, NJ
Interests/Extracurriculars: Journaling, exploring Boston, trying new tofu recipes, Hillel Board
Why are you excited to work with the Interfaith Ambassador team?: I'm excited to bring together my passions for social justice work and building communities with the chaplaincy team. This semester, I hope to learn from each ambassador's unique perspectives and share stories about our religious backgrounds and values.
Kyle Hammond
Kyle Hammond
Pronouns: he/him/his
Class Year: 2025
Major: Interdisciplinary Studies (Urban Studies, Econ, Entrepreneurship, and Sociology)
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Interests/Extracurriculars: Reading, making music, Tufts Football, asking questions, and exercising, Laidlaw Scholars, RA for the Tufts UEP School
Why are you excited to work with the Interfaith Ambassador team?: Faith inspires people, and to be a part of a team with passionate, willing individuals is something I am excited to experience. The bridges that can be built and love that can be shared is a privilege and being an Interfaith Ambassador will help me grow and community and an understanding of others.