The beginning of the school year is a new opportunity to make connections on campus and work to bridge divides.
As undergraduates return to the classroom this fall, eight student leaders who attended the 2026 Interfaith Leadership Summit shared their advice for peers who want to get involved with interfaith efforts on campus or are interested in hosting a bridgebuilding project in their campus community.
Lead with respect
“Be open to being out of your comfort zone, try to listen to people respectfully, and try to understand their point of view.” — İrem Kayser, Franklin and Marshall College
“Have a genuine interest and a positive mindset.” — Fru Donatus Junior Nkwefor, University of St. Thomas, MN
Build meaningful relationships
“Advertise yourself as somebody that wants to get into [bridgebuilding] with other people, like facilitators, staff. But also advertise the things that you can do or the things that you’re interested in.” — Fatimah Olufayou, Harvard University
“Talk to people. Find your community truly, because there’s going to be people that want to help you.” — Samira Ali, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
“Invite others in or just voluntell them ‘you’re coming!’” — Zain Memon, Harvard University
Read: Why Harvard Wants Its Students To Practice Interfaith Cooperation
Be flexible to grow as an interfaith leader
“Don’t be married to your original idea.” — Avery Field, American University
“Come with an open mind so that you can take in everything. Don’t set boundaries for yourself.” — Krishtina Khanal, Meredith College
“Be the icebreaker, be the changemaker in your community, and don’t expect others to start first.” — Nejra Idrizović, Methodist University
Read: Service is a Shared Value: How One BRAID Student Mobilized Her American University Community
Rachel Crowe
Rachel Crowe, Staff Writer for IA Today, tells compelling stories about interfaith cooperation across diverse communities and supports our narrative programming. She is a graduate of Gettysburg College where she earned a BA in English with a Writing Concentration and a German Studies minor.
