Spirituality and Religious Life

A place where you belong!

Spirituality and Religious Life at RIT cultivates engaged and vibrant religious, secular, and spiritual communities that explore deep questions of purpose, meaning, and value.

We work directly with faith-based organizations and collaborate with student-led clubs that support the spiritual and religious community at RIT. No matter what your spiritual, religious, or secular identity may be, all of our chaplains and program staff can provide you with support and guidance.

Our vision is for every member of our campus to experience the welcoming, caring, and fun atmosphere of a supportive community that enables them to grow into their best selves and put their values to work in the world.

Faith Communities

Buddhist

Idunno Zen Buddhist Community
The Idunno Zen Buddhist Community focuses on meditative practice and offers weekly instruction and lively discussion about the various Buddhist, Taoist, and Zen traditions. The purpose of Zen is to develop a clear, centered, and ultimately enlightened mind, which leads to the cultivation of wisdom and compassion toward all living beings. One does not have to identify as a Buddhist to practice Zen meditation, and everyone is welcome regardless of their individual beliefs.
Learn more about the Idunno Zen Buddhist Community

Christian

Catholic Newman Community at RIT
Newman is a growing, vibrant, Christ-centered community rooted in the Roman Catholic tradition where all are welcome and invited to know God’s love and mercy. With Sunday, Wednesday, and Holy Day Masses, retreats, community service and social justice projects, small groups, social events, and more, Newman provides opportunities for RIT students to grow in faith, develop leadership and discipleship skills, and be part of a Catholic community that will support them in faith and in life.
Learn more about the Catholic Newman Community at RIT

Cru
Cru is a caring community, passionate about helping you build, communicate, and multiply your faith on campus. Cru is a Christian-based ministry, reaching out to all members of the RIT community and beyond. Cru holds weekly gatherings, which foster a sense of community and support, rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Learn more about Cru

Glory House THE PLUG College Ministry
Glory House International (GHI) is a powerful and contemporary church, located in downtown Rochester. GHI's THE PLUG cultivates faith, freedom, and love through Christ to college communities by disciplining people into worship, devotion, and service. THE PLUG is purposed to provide ministry to college campuses in the Rochester area and encourages the college community to become a part of our GHI family by worshiping with us on Sundays. We are a tribe of diverse people who are passionate about our faith and each other. We desire to be a home church to some and the home church away from the home church to others.
Learn more about Glory House THE PLUG College Ministry

Hands of Fire
Hands of Fire is the American Sign Language (ASL) sister ministry of Cru at RIT and NTID. Hands of Fire is a place where Deaf and Hard of Hearing students can grow in community as well as grow closer to God, in an inviting and inclusive atmosphere. Like its sponsoring ministry, Cru, Hands of Fire meets weekly.
Learn more about Hands of Fire

InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
InterVarsity is a community committed to fostering conversations about who we are, who God is, what God says about who we are, and why it matters. Come and join us as we grow in love for God, God’s Word, God’s people of every ethnicity and culture, and God’s purposes in the world.
Learn more about InterVarsity Christian Fellowship

RIT Progressive Chapel Community
The RIT Progressive Chapel Community (RIT PCC) is a worshipping body of seekers and misfits geared towards the LGBTQ+ community. RIT PCC's chaplain has a weekly on-campus presence, focusing on drop-in spiritual counseling, and not limiting methods to throwing a frisbee and talking God or playing a cooperative game. A few Tuesday evenings a month, RIT PCC worships in the Taizé tradition or holds a Dinner Dialogue meal in which the group talks about theology and eats pizza. What else could queer church look like on campus? Come and join us, and let us find out together!
Learn more about RIT Progressive Chapel Community

The TABLE Lutheran-Episcopal Campus Ministry
The TABLE Lutheran-Episcopal Campus Ministry at RIT and NTID is a joint ministry of several area congregations with a variety of students from different church (and unchurched) backgrounds. Each Sunday, worship is followed by fellowship and a free dinner provided by a local congregation. In addition to our regular gatherings, we offer additional prayerful and service-related events.
Learn more about The TABLE Lutheran-Episcopal Campus Ministry

Hindu

Hindu Student Life at RIT is led through the guidance of a trained Hindu Chaplain. Students are guided in understanding their value as a person through led worship, listening in attentive silence, and support of their holistic health. The Chaplain assists with the use of music, visual art, meditation, and non-denominational prayer as a means of finding inner calm and peace. Hindu Student Life at RIT can offer spiritual and emotional support to people of all faiths and belief systems.
Learn more about Hindu Student Life

Interfaith, Non-Religious, and Secular

Interfaith Council
The Interfaith Council consists of student representatives from the various religious, secular, and spiritual organizations on campus, including student clubs and organizations, that collaborate together on exciting, engaging, and dialogical experiences. Such events and activities explore the relationships between interfaith, non-religious, and secular worldviews in order to make connections, form communities, and explore deep questions of purpose, meaning, and value.
Learn more about the Interfaith Council

Jewish

Chabad at RIT
Chabad offers a strong Jewish community at RIT and aims to be a home away from home for every Jew on campus. It is a hip and exciting place to be, where fun things are always happening! Chabad offers homemade Shabbat dinners and lunches, lively prayer services, celebrations of all Jewish holidays, educational classes, vibrant social events, and more. Many events take place in the Chabad House, which is conveniently located adjacent to campus at 3018 East River Road).
Learn more about Chabad at RIT

Jewish Student Life
With a rich history of creating community and programming events since 1954, Jewish Student Life is a pivotal part of the diverse and celebrated makeup of students, faculty, and staff at RIT. Jewish Student Life is supported by a full-time Jewish Student Life Engagement Coordinator and is home to many Jewish-affiliated organizations at RIT offering a variety of spiritual, religious, cultural, and social events for Jewish-identifying community members to connect with throughout the year.
Learn more about Jewish Student Life

RIT Hillel
RIT Hillel knows that a dynamic, pluralistic, diverse, and vibrant Jewish student life is essential to ALL campus members, Jewish or otherwise. Hillel aims to support Jewish students while engaging them in their broader college context. All Hillel activities are open to the entire RIT community. RIT Hillel recognizes and celebrates the wide variety of Jewish identification, belief, and practice that presently exists on campus and will continue to enhance campus life going forward.
Learn more about RIT Hillel

Muslim

Muslim Student Life
Muslim Student Life assists Muslim students by offering a trained Muslim Chaplain to guide and serve students. Muslim Student Life gives students the chance to participate in regularly scheduled worship, service, and education.
Learn more about Muslim Student Life

Pagan

Pagan Student Life
Pagan Student Life invites RIT community members and guests for educational offerings, celebrations of Pagan holidays, and full moon rituals. Ritual services are led by a trained Pagan Chaplain (High Priestess) who is active in the greater Rochester Pagan community. The Chaplain is available for spiritual guidance and life passage rituals. All are welcome at any rituals and/or events.
Learn more about Pagan Student Life

Please contact Spirituality and Religious Life for more information on additional off-campus faith communities and resources.

Student Clubs

Spirituality and Religious Life is committed to providing diverse communities for students to explore deep questions of purpose, meaning, and value by offering a wide variety of spiritual, religious, and secular partner organizations and student-sponsored clubs.

Connect with Student Clubs

Spiritual Holidays and Observances

Spiritual holidays and observances are important events for valuable members of the RIT community. Students may request accommodations to observe these holidays. RIT policy D04.0 Attendance states: "Absences, for whatever reason, do not relieve students of their responsibility for fulfilling normal requirements in any course. In particular, it is the student's responsibility to make individual arrangements in advance of missing class due to personal obligations such as religious holidays...in order that he or she may meet his or her obligations without penalty for missing class."

*Please note that some of the holidays below dictate that no work be completed on a particular date or set of dates. Regarding assignments, papers, quizzes, and exams, please make every effort to work with students to accommodate these observant requests within reason.

The list of holidays below is not meant to be exhaustive. There are many other observances based upon the myriad of spiritual and/or religious traditions throughout the world. For descriptions of each of the holidays, please visit Harvard Divinity School's Multifaith Calendar. To learn more about each of these traditions and more, please visit The Pluralism Project from Harvard University.

*Please note that those holidays listed in bold below are those where a fast is required, special worship is warranted, or work is forbidden.

H.H. Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso Birth Date (Buddhism): July 6, 2022
Day of Arafah (Islam): July 8, 2022
Martyrdom of the Báb (Baháʼí): July 10, 2022
Eid al-Adha (Islam): July 10-14, 2022
Buck Moon (Aboriginal Spirituality, Paganism): July 13, 2022
Dhamma Day (Buddhism): July 13, 2022
Chaturmas (Hinduism, Jainism): July 13-November 8, 2022
Guru Purnima (Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism): July 13, 2022
Vassa (Buddhism): July 14-October 10, 2022
First of Muḥarram (Islam): July 30, 2022
Oh-harai-taisai (Shintoism): July 30, 2022
Lughnasadh or Lammas (Paganism): August 1, 2022
Transfiguration of Jesus Christ / Feast of the Transfiguration (Christianity): August 6, 2022
'Āshūrā’ (Islam): August 7-8, 2022
Fravardeghan Days (Zoroastrianism): August 8-17, 2022
Raksha Bandhan (Hinduism): August 11, 2022
Sturgeon Moon (Aboriginal Spirituality, Paganism): August 11, 2022
Assumption of Mary, Solemnity / Dormition of the Theotokos (Christianity): August 15, 2022
Krishna Janmashtami (Hinduism): August 18-19, 2022
Paryushana (Jainism): August 24-September 1, 2022
Festival of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (Buddhism): August 26, 2022
Ganesh Chaturthi (Hinduism): August 31, 2022
First Parkash Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Sikhism): September 1, 2022
Samvatsari (Jainism): September 1, 2022
Das Lakshana (Jainism): September 1-10, 2022
Birth Date of H.H. Sakya Trizin (Buddhism): September 7, 2022
Nativity of the Theotokos / Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Christianity): September 8, 2022
Anant Chaturdashi / Ganesh Visarjan (Hinduism, Jainism): September 9, 2022
Harvest Moon (Aboriginal Spirituality, Paganism): September 10, 2022
Ksamavani (Jainism): September 10, 2022
Pitru Paksha (Hinduism): September 10-25, 2022
Auditors' Day (Scientology): September 11, 2022
Anniversary of the Tatsunokuchi Persecution (Buddhism): September 12, 2022
Ghambar Paitishem (Zoroastrianism): September 12-16, 2022
Elevation of the Holy Cross / Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Christianity): September 14, 2022
Festival of Higan-e (Buddhism): September 20-26, 2022
Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos (Christianity): September 21, 2022
Mabon or Autumn Equinox (Paganism): September 21-September 29, 2022
Eihei Dogen Kigen Memorial (Buddhism): September 22, 2022
Shūbun-no-hi (Shintoism): September 23, 2022
Rosh Hashanah (Judaism): September 25-27, 2022
Navaratri (Hinduism): September 26-October 5, 2022
Mehragan (Zoroastrianism): October 1-2, 2022
World Communion Day (Christianity): October 2, 2022
Navpad Oli (Jainism): October 2-October 9, 2022
Yom Kippur (Judaism): October 4-5, 2022
Bodhidharma Memorial (Buddhism): October 5, 2022
Dusserah (Hinduism): October 5, 2022
International Association of Scientologists Day (Scientology): October 7, 2022
Mawlid an-Nabi (Islam): October 7-8, 2022
Hunter's Moon (Aboriginal Spirituality, Paganism): October 9, 2022
Sukkot (Judaism): October 9-16, 2022
Kaṭhina Cībar Dān (Buddhism): October 9-November 8, 2022
Atmasiddhi Rachna Divas (Jainism): October 10, 2022
Parvarana (Buddhism): October 10, 2022
Karva Chauth (Hinduism): October 12-13, 2022
Ghambar Ayathrem (Zoroastrianism): October 12-16, 2022
Nichiren Shonin Memorial (Buddhism): October 13, 2022
Shemini Atzeret (Judaism): October 16-17, 2022
Simchat Torah (Judaism): October 16-18, 2022
Installation of Holy Scriptures as Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Sikhism): October 20, 2022
Bandi Chhor Divas (Sikhism): October 24, 2022
Diwali (Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism): October 24, 2022
Mahavira Nirvana (Jainism): October 24, 2022
Birth of the Báb (Baháʼí): October 25-26, 2022
Day of Enlightenment of Lord Gautamswami (Jainism): October 26, 2022
Vikram Samvat New Year (Hinduism, Jainism): October 26, 2022
Birth of Bahá’u’lláh (Baháʼí): October 26-27, 2022
Gyan Panchami (Jainism): October 29, 2022
Reformation Day (Christianity): October 31, 2022
Samhain (Paganism): October 31-November 1, 2022
Solemnity of All Saints / All Saints' Sunday (Christianity): November 1, 2022 / June 11, 2023
National Native American Heritage Month (Aboriginal Spirituality): November 1-30, 2022
Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (Christianity): November 2, 2022
Dev Deepawali / Kartika Purnima (Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism): November 7-8, 2022
Beaver Moon (Aboriginal Spirituality, Paganism): November 8, 2022
Birth Date of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (Sikhism): November 8, 2022
Lokasha Jayanti (Jainism): November 8, 2022
Birth Date of Shrimad Rajchandra (Jainism): November 9, 2022
Feast of the Einherjar / Ancestors' Blót (Paganism): November 11, 2022
Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (Christianity): November 20, 2022
Presentation of the Theotokos / Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Christianity): November 21, 2022
Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (Sikhism): November 24, 2022
Native American Heritage Day (Aboriginal Spirituality): November 25, 2022
Day of the Covenant (Baháʼí): November 26, 2022
Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Baháʼí): November 28-29, 2022
Advent / Nativity Fast (Christianity): November 27-December 24, 2022 / November 28, 2022-January 6, 2023
Maunajiyaras (Jainism): December 3, 2022
Karthika Deepam (Hinduism): December 6, 2022
Cold Moon (Aboriginal Spirituality, Paganism): December 7, 2022
Bodhi Day (Buddhism): December 8, 2022
Sanghamitta Day (Buddhism): December 8, 2022
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Christianity): December 8, 2022
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Christianity): December 12, 2021
Hanukkah (Judaism): December 18-26, 2022
Tohji-taisai (Shintoism): December 21, 2022
Yule or Winter Solstice (Paganism): December 21, 2022-January 1, 2023
Nativity of the Lord / Nativity of Christ (Christianity): December 25, 2022 / January 6, 2023 / January 7, 2023
Death of Prophet Zarathustra (Zoroastrianism): December 26, 2022
Ghambar Maidyarem (Zoroastrianism): December 31-January 4, 2023
Gantan-sai (Shintoism): January 1, 2023
Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God (Christianity): January 1, 2023
Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Ji (Sikhism): January 5, 2023
Epiphany of the Lord, Solemnity / Theophany (Christianity): January 6, 2023
Wolf Moon (Aboriginal Spirituality, Paganism): January 6, 2023
Mahāyāna New Year (Buddhism): January 7, 2023
Seijin-no-hi (Shintoism): January 9, 2023
Linji Memorial (Buddhism): January 11, 2023
Orthodox New Year (Christianity): January 14, 2023
Makar Sankranti / Maghi (Hinduism, Sikhism): January 15, 2023
World Religion Day (Baháʼí): January 15, 2023
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Christianity): January 18-25, 2023
Lunar New Year (Buddhism): January 22, 2023
Sadeh (Zoroastrianism): January 24, 2023
Honen Shonin Memorial (Buddhism): January 25, 2023
Vasant Panchami (Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism): January 26, 2023
Imbolc or Candlemas (Paganism): February 1-2, 2023
Presentation of Jesus at the Temple / Feast of Presentation of the Lord (Christianity): February 2, 2023
Setsunbun-sai (Shintoism): February 3, 2023
Snow Moon (Aboriginal Spirituality, Paganism): February 5, 2023
Tu BiShvat (Judaism): February 5-6, 2023
Nirvana Day (Buddhism): February 8, 2023 / February 15, 2023
Váli's Blót (Paganism): February 14, 2023
Laylat al-Isra'wa al-Mi'raj (Islam): February 17-18, 2023
Maha Shivaratri (Hinduism): February 18, 2023
Sri Ramakrishna Jayanti (Hinduism): February 21, 2023
Tibetan New Year (Buddhism): February 21, 2023
Lent / Great Lent (Christianity): February 22-April 6, 2023 / February 27-April 8, 2023
- Ash Wednesday: February 22, 2023
- Clean Monday: February 27, 2023
- Palm Sunday / Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem (Christianity): April 2, 2023 / April 9, 2023
Ayyám-i-Há (Baháʼí): February 26-March 1, 2023
Nineteen-Day Fast (Baháʼí): March 2-20, 2023
World Day of Prayer (Christianity): March 3, 2023
Sangha Day (Buddhism): March 6, 2023
Purim (Judaism): March 6-7, 2023
Worm Moon (Aboriginal Spirituality, Paganism): March 7, 2023
Laylat al-Bara'ah (Islam): March 7-8, 2023
Hola Mohalla (Sikhism): March 8-10, 2023
Holi (Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism): March 8, 2023
Birth Date of L. Ron Hubbard (Scientology): March 13, 2023
Memorial of Shan-tao (Buddhism): March 14, 2023
Sikh New Year's Day (Sikhism): March 14, 2023
Ghambar Hamaspathmaedem (Zoroastrianism): March 16-20, 2023
Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Christianity): March 19, 2023
Ostara or Spring Equinox (Paganism): March 20, 2023
Festival of Higan-e (Buddhism): March 20-26, 2023
Shūbun-no-hi (Shintoism): March 21, 2023
Naw-Rúz (Baháʼí, Zoroastrianism): March 21-22, 2023
Nav Varsh (Hinduism): March 21-22, 2023
Ramayana Week (Hinduism): March 22-30, 2023
- Ramanavami: March 30, 2023
Ramadan (Islam): March 22-April 21, 2023
Solemnity of the Annunciation / Feast of the Annunciation (Christianity): March 25, 2023
Birthday of Prophet Zoroaster / Khordad Sal (Zoroastrianism): March 26, 2023
Navpad Oli (Jainism): March 28-April 6, 2023
Hydesville Day (Spiritualism): March 31, 2023
Mahavira Jayanti (Jainism): April 4, 2023
Pesach (Judaism): April 5-13, 2023
Anniversary of the Founding of the Church (Latter Day Saint movement): April 6, 2023
Hanuman Jayanti (Hinduism): April 6, 2023
Pink Moon (Aboriginal Spirituality, Paganism): April 6, 2023
Theravāda New Year (Buddhism): April 6, 2023
Easter Triduum / Paschal Triduum (Christianity): April 6-April 9, 2023 / April 13-16, 2023
- Holy or Maundy Thursday / Great and Holy Thursday: April 6, 2023 / April 13, 2023
- Good Friday / Great and Holy Friday: April 7, 2023 / April 14, 2023
- Holy Saturday / Great and Holy Saturday: April 8, 2023 / April 15, 2023
- Easter / Pascha: April 9, 2023 / April 16, 2023
Lazarus Saturday (Christianity): April 8, 2023
Vesak (Buddhism): April 8, 2023
Vaisakhi / Baisakhi (Hinduism, Sikhism): April 14, 2023
Laylat al-Qadr (Islam): April 18, 2023
Jum’at al-Wada (Islam): April 21, 2023
Shrimad Rajchandra Dehvilay (Jainism): April 21, 2023
Eid al-Fitr (Islam): April 21-22, 2023
Riḍván (Baháʼí): April 21-May 2, 2023
- First Day of Riḍván (Baháʼí): April 21, 2023
- Ninth Day of Riḍván (Baháʼí): April 29, 2023
- Twelfth Day of Riḍván (Baháʼí): May 2, 2023
Akshaya Tritiya (Hinduism, Jainism): April 22, 2023
Yggdrasil Day (Paganism): April 22, 2023
Nichiren Foundation Day (Buddhism): April 28, 2023
Ghambar Maidyozarem (Zoroastrianism): April 30-May 4, 2023
Beltane or May Eve (Paganism): May 1, 2023
Flower Moon (Aboriginal Spirituality, Paganism): May 5, 2023
Dianetics Day (Scientology): May 9, 2023
Solemnity of the Ascension of Jesus Christ / Ascension of Christ (Christianity): May 18, 2023 / May 25, 2023
Shanja Matsuri (Shintoism): May 19, 2023
Declaration of the Báb (Baháʼí): May 24, 2023
Shavuot (Judaism): May 25-27, 2023
Buddha's Birth Date (Buddhism): May 26, 2023
Pentecost (Christianity): May 28, 2023 / June 4-6, 2023
Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh (Baháʼí): May 29, 2023
Poson (Buddhism): June 3, 2023
Strawberry Moon (Aboriginal Spirituality, Paganism): June 3, 2023
Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (Christianity): June 4, 2023
Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Christianity): June 8, 2023
Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji (Sikhism): June 16, 2023
Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (Christianity): June 16, 2023
Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodro Anniversary (Buddhism): June 18, 2023
Litha or Summer Solstice (Paganism): June 21, 2023
Nativity of John the Baptist / Nativity of St. John the Forerunner (Christianity): June 24, 2023 / July 7, 2023
Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul / Feast of Saints Peter and Paul (Christianity): June 29, 2023 / July 12, 2023
Ghambar Maidyoshahem (Zoroastrianism): June 29-July 3, 2023

Facilities

Team

Chaplains

Chaplains are trained to listen, care, and have deep conversations about difficult topics in places where people are often stressed or distressed. Some of these may include the meaning of life, our purpose in the world, personal values and relationships, ethical dilemmas, and many other common human problems, regardless of whether you think of these things spiritually, religiously, or secularly.

Imam Abdur Rauf Bawany, MD

Muslim Student Life Chaplain
rxbcpm@rit.edu
585-281-7941
SMT-2406
*Confidential Resource

Andrew Cirillo

Assistant Director

ancccl@rit.edu

585-475-2137

*Confidential Resource
Schedule a time to meet in person or virtually

Rabbi Yossef Cohen

Chabad at RIT Co-Director
ycccl@rit.edu
347-546-3860
SMT-2410
*Confidential Resource

Rev. Brian C. Cool, Ed.D.

Catholic Newman Community at RIT Director
bcool@admin.rochester.edu
585-275-8523
SMT-1412
*Confidential Resource

Rev. Sam Kinsman

RIT Progressive Chapel Community Chaplain
skinsman@ur.rochester.edu
714-299-8420
SMT-1408
*Confidential Resource
Schedule a time to meet in person or virtually

Sr. Leandra Kosmoski, S.S.J.

Catholic Newman Community at RIT Pastoral Associate
laksrl@rit.edu
SMT-1412
*Confidential Resource

Daron Ladson

Cru/Hands of Fire Team Member
djlsrl@rit.edu
SMT-1404
*Confidential Resource
^ASL Fluent

Sanjay Mathur

Hindu Student Life Chaplain
sjmccl@rit.edu
201-757-2278
SMT-1400
*Confidential Resource
Schedule a time to meet in person or virtually

Rauncie Reynolds

Pagan Student Life Chaplain
lrrsrl@rit.edu
585-953-1957
SMT-1406
*Confidential Resource

Rev. Shūdō Brian Schroeder, Ph.D.

Idunno Zen Buddhist Community Chaplain
bxsgla@rit.edu
585-773-8606
LBR-3110
*Confidential Resource

Pastor Craig Swanson

The TABLE Lutheran-Episcopal Campus Ministry Chaplain
cbscpm@rit.edu
614-477-7699
SMT-1408
*Confidential Resource

Michael Vernarelli, Ph.D.

Catholic Newman Community at RIT Campus Minister
mjvgss@rit.edu
585-750-4821
SMT-1412
*Confidential Resource

Program staff have experience working with young adults, particularly in relation to programming, mentoring, and leadership in spiritual and religious community. They support programs and student leaders within their own religious communities, but do not provide inter-religious spiritual counseling.

Leah Cohen

Chabad at RIT Co-Director
lcccl@rit.edu
862-222-4859
SMT-2410

Mercy Gbenjo

Cru/Hands of Fire Team Member
mgbccl@rit.edu
775-762-7995
SMT-1404

Marc Goldman

Jewish Student Life Engagement Coordinator

mxgrla@rit.edu

585-475-5932

SMT-2408

Zachary Hanje

Cru/Hands of Fire Team Leader
zahcpm@rit.edu
317-496-6424
SMT-1404

Jileen Herman

InterVarsity Christian Fellowship Campus Minister
jlhccl@rit.edu
585-747-0699
SMT-2412

Catherine Mast

Cru/Hands of Fire Team Member
ctmccl@rit.edu
317-777-9076
SMT-1404
*ASL Fluent

James Miller Jr.

Catholic Newman Community at RIT Business Manager
jpmcpm@rit.edu
SMT-2404

Pastor Kenneth Sayres

Glory House THE PLUG College Ministry Team Member
kcsccl@rit.edu
585-507-9831
SMT-2412

Pastor Yolanda Sayres

Glory House THE PLUG College Ministry Team Member
ypsccl@rit.edu
585-507-9834
SMT-2412

Kristen Smith

Catholic Newman Community at RIT Campus Minister
krlccl@rit.edu
315-576-3830
SMT-2404

Dakota Tiger

Cru/Hands of Fire Team Member
dtsrl@rit.edu
217-721-6605
SMT-1404
*ASL Fluent

Support Us

Spirituality and Religious Life’s pastoral care, events, and offerings are critical for student success—academically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

85% of our staff and programs are supported by donors, foundations, and religious organizations outside RIT. We rely heavily on the generosity of alumni, parents, the local community, and volunteers to provide over 1,000 events and activities for over 16,000 students in ~20 different religious communities on campus every year.

Make a Gift