University Chaplain and Director of the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life

Brown University seeks a visionary, collaborative, and deeply experienced leader to serve as University Chaplain and Director of the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life (University Chaplain). The University Chaplain cultivates a vibrant religious and spiritual life ecosystem serving Brown’s more than 11,000 undergraduate, graduate, and medical students, as well as faculty, staff, and alumni. Rooted in Brown’s historic commitment to religious freedom, pluralism, and intellectual openness, the role advances three interconnected dimensions of religious and spiritual life: spirituality, faith, and interfaith engagement. The University Chaplain serves students who are deeply rooted in religious traditions as well as those who are spiritual, seeking, questioning, humanist, secular, or exploring meaning and purpose.

Reporting directly to the Vice President for Campus Life, the University Chaplain and Director of the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life provides strategic oversight and leadership of the Office of the Chaplains and Religious Life (OCRL) and serves as a senior leader within the Division of Campus Life. The University Chaplain advances Campus Life’s commitment to student success, holistic well-being, inclusive community, belonging, open inquiry, developmental advising and mentoring, leadership, and engagement across differences. The role is pastoral and strategic, educational and institutional, grounded in care and guided by intellectual, ethical, and civic engagement. To support operational alignment with the affinity and belonging centers, this position will have a dotted line to the Associate Vice President of Campus Life for Community and Belonging. The University Chaplain leads a diverse chaplaincy team and sustains strong partnerships with affiliated religious organizations and communities. The University Chaplain advances religious and spiritual literacy, interreligious dialogue, pastoral care, meaning-making, community care, and constructive engagement across differences. The University Chaplain also provides visible leadership during moments of grief, crisis, conflict, and community disruption and works collaboratively across Brown to integrate religious, spiritual, ethical, and meaning-making dimensions into the broader student experience.

APPLICATIONS, INQUIRIES, AND NOMINATIONS

Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Applications received by November 15, 2026, will receive priority consideration. Inquiries, nominations, and CVs with cover letters should be submitted below.

Ernest Brooks is leading this search with Alycia Johnson and Lisa Landis.

Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, in the administration of its policies, programs, and activities. The University recognizes and rewards individuals on the basis of qualifications and performance. The University maintains certain affirmative action programs in compliance with applicable law.