INTERFAITH ADVISORY COUNCIL
Mission: To foster interfaith learning, engagement and equity in all aspects of campus life.
Vision: The Interfaith Advisory Council envisions the Villanova community as a home that celebrates and honors people of all faiths and value traditions.
The Council draws on partners from across campus to support work in five focal areas:
- Fostering religious literacy and interreligious learning and leadership
- Ensuring accommodations for religious practice for those of all traditions
- Addressing (in coordination with the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) issues of religious bias or discrimination
- Building bridges of understanding across lines of religious and nonreligious difference
- Guiding policies that help institutionalize the above commitments
Priorities and Accomplishments
Integration of interfaith engagement into student experience through leader trainings
- Regular component of the RISE training for student organization leaders
- Regular component of School of Business student leader training
- Interfaith sessions with RAs, Blue Key, Peer Ministers, ACT facilitators and IGR students
- Initiatives with Student Government
Advocacy and support for diversifying of Theology and Religious Studies offerings and faculty:
- Addition of Global Religious Experience track in THL 1000
- Faculty lines increasing religious diversity expertise, including Jewish Studies, Comparative Theology, Chinese Religions
Support for diverse religious practice:
- Weekly Jummah (Muslim congregational prayer) on campus
- Establishment of advisers for Muslim Students Association and Hillel
- Research and development of multifaith prayer space (to be included in St. Rita Hall renovation)
- Academic and dietary accommodations (e.g., Ramadan and Eid during final exams)
- Transportation to religious services and other support
Addressing religious bias, discrimination and violence:
- Vigils in response to local, national or international acts of violence related to religious identity
- Public response to antisemitism, Islamophobia or other forms of religious bias
Multifaith experiential learning:
- Interfaith Human Library held every semester
- Multifaith Contemplative Practices series (monthly events)
- Interfaith Justice Cohort
- Interfaith retreats
- Religious site visits
- Religious holiday celebrations
- Interfaith dinners and other faith-sharing events
Members
Julia Sheetz
Convenor
Director of Multifaith Ministry, Office of Mission and Ministry
Kerry San Chirico
Co-Convenor
Associate Professor, Department of Theology and Religious Studies
Yasemin Akis
Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Theology and Religious Studies and the Center for Arab and Islamic Studies
Sheryl Bowen
Director, Dr. Terry Nance Center for Dialogue
Carly Cohen
Program Specialist, Office of Belonging and Inclusion
Dana Jacob
Director of Lifelong Learning and Alumni Programs, University Advancement
Leashia Lewis
Assistant Athletic Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Brian McCabe
Director of Spirituality and Outreach, Office of Mission and Ministry
Rena Potok
Adjunct Faculty, English, Irish Studies, Augustine & Culture Seminar Program
Cathy Toner
Assistant Dean and Member of Interfaith Committee, Villanova School of Business
Asheq Fazlullah
Muslim Student Adviser