Melissa Spas ’03 says her education at Allegheny College significantly impacted her desire to work in religion and continues to influence her work at Chautauqua Institution.
“In addition to a strong foundation in religious studies, theology, and ethics, having had liberationist, womanist, and queer theories as a part of my undergraduate liberal arts education has proven to be extremely helpful to me as a leader seeking to advance equity, diversity, and pluralism in my work,” says Spas, who majored in religious studies and women’s studies with a minor in values, ethics, and society.
After graduating from Allegheny College, Spas studied ethics and theology at the Harvard Divinity School. Since then, she’s served nonprofit organizations and religious institutions in higher education, like Duke University Divinity School and Indiana University’s Lake Institute on Faith and Giving.
In 2022, Spas began serving as vice president for religion at the Chautauqua Institution. The nonprofit recently finished its 150th anniversary and provides opportunities to explore religion, education, the arts, and recreation.
“I love inviting people to a deeper understanding of faith, whether that’s their own faith, or a new understanding across different traditions,” says Spas. “I am deeply curious and believe that we learn more about ourselves when we are willing to explore with others. It’s a privilege for me to work with colleagues and constituents from a wide range of religious traditions and with people without a religious affiliation.”
Historically grounded in the Christian tradition and committed to multireligious programming, the Chautauqua Institution hosts an interfaith curriculum, including:
- A fellowship for young adults to examine interfaith work
- An interfaith lecture series
- A weekly chaplain
- Daily worship
- Meditation
Spas states that her experience as a student leader and resident assistant at Allegheny College further developed her leadership skills.
She says, “I believe that Allegheny is a unique incubator for possibility, and I am so proud to be an alumna of this remarkable college, committed for over 200 years to educating young people who seek to make a difference in the world.”
