Matt Hoffman, Director, Center for Religion, Spirituality, and Pluralism, Elected to Serve as Membership Secretary of the Board of Directors

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 10:31:11 -0400
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In February, Matt Hoffman, director, Center for Religion, Spirituality, and Pluralism, was elected to serve as Membership Secretary of the Board of Directors for the Association for Chaplaincy and Spiritual Life in Higher Education (ACSLHE). He was first elected to the ACSLHE Board of Directors in 2024.

"I am happy for Matt to be elected into this position," said Dr. Doug Garrard, interim assistant vice president and dean of students. "It is reflective of the standing Matt has with his colleagues, his knowledge and experience, and his passion for the work that he does, both on our campus and in the broader community."

As someone committed to holistic wellbeing, Hoffman feels called to support and inspire college students—from all traditions and backgrounds—as they navigate faith, the demands of school, discern vocation and explore questions of identity and belonging. Overseeing the Gathering Space—a space utilized by 400+ weekly visitors and 30+ religious and belief orgs—he has prioritized programs that lift up spirituality, invite spaces for education and collaboration, and highlight intersectional identities and interfaith work, centering radical love and belonging and energetic pluralism.

"ACSLHE has been a home away from home for me during my time at UMBC. It has been a joy to connect with, learn from, and build relationships with colleagues from across the country who share a similar passion for this work," said Hoffman. "It is also critical for me that we lift up and model how to support religious and spiritual diversity at a public institution to other campuses across the country, an area that is so central to UMBC's own value of inclusive excellence."

ACSLHE supports higher education chaplains and nurtures religious and spiritual life professionals through scholarship, education, and collaboration. The organization's goal is to be the leading authority on religious and spiritual life in higher education. ACSLHE's diverse membership, numbering almost 450 individuals from a plethora of religious traditions, serve the needs of undergraduates, graduate and professional students, faculty, staff, administrators, and local communities at diverse institutions. They facilitate multi-faith understanding, dialogue, and engagement within higher education and beyond to address the pressing issues facing our campuses and the broader society.