Public Projects

Greenberg Center for the Study of Religion in Public Life, Trinity College

As of July 1, 2024, I lead the Greenberg Center in initiatives to educate the Trinity and Hartford, CT communities, as well as the broader public, about the role of religion in public life.

Transy and Race

Founded in 1780, Transylvania University (Transy, as the school is often called) is one of the oldest higher education institutions in the country, but what do we mean when we say Transy is historic? Transy and Race is a collaborative group of faculty, students, staff, alumni, and community members seeking to tell an honest history of Transylvania University, race, racism, and people of color. I began the project in 2020, and it continues today under the leadership of Dr. Priya Ananth and Dr. Olivia Fleming. Since its founding, the project has included:

  • A website-in-progress (currently available to students, faculty, and staff; public availability forthcoming) with a timeline and stories researched and contributed by students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community experts.

  • A working group where the campus community discusses Transy’s history regarding race and where to go from here.

  • A May Term class where students have completed research at local archival repositories and made contributions to the timeline. I taught this class in May 2021 with Dr. Melissa McEuen and in May 2023 with Dr. Priya Ananth.

Moosnick Lecture in Judaic Studies

From 2022-2024, I chaired Transylvania University’s Moosnick Lecture in Judaic Studies organizing committee, where I coordinated with representatives from the local synagogue, temple, and theological seminary to bring an expert in Judaism and/or Jewish Studies to the Lexington, KY community. Prior to that, I served on the committee. You can read about one of the previous lectures here.