Allegheny Graduate Leads Interfaith Learning At The Chautauqua Institution

Melissa Spas '03 says her desire to investigate faith was impacted during her time as a student at Allegheny College and continues to influence her work at the Chautauqua Institution.

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."