Council of Religious Advisors
The Carnegie Mellon Council of Religious Advisors (CoRA) supports and encourages religious life within the campus community.
Members of the Council provide a variety of services, including counseling, educational programs, conferences, worship, discussion groups, social events, and religious instruction. Council members work from their own traditions while also collaborating on interfaith programs.
The university acknowledges the staff members of those ministries who are commissioned by their particular faith group to work within the campus community at Carnegie Mellon. Each chaplaincy has its own mission, objective and schedules, which are available through the individual faith groups.
Join CORA!
Not all faiths on campus are currently represented through membership in CoRA, and we are always looking to bring greater representation. If you are a leader in a local faith community who serves the Carnegie Mellon community and are interested in learning more about CoRA, please contact us.
Bahá’í
Bahá’í Faith, Pittsburgh
Christopher Buck, PhD, JD (photo left)
Contact Christopher
As a former professor at Michigan State University (2000–2004) and author of Bahá’í Faith: The Basics (2021), I now work as an attorney in Pittsburgh. As an independent scholar, I write academic books and articles and contribute brief articles on the Bahá’í Faith online. I am available as a resource for anyone interested in more information on the Bahá’í Faith, and how the Baha’i Faith offers individual and social salvation in the form of profound principles of unity, from family relations to international relations, as what one distinguished Baha’i, Ruhiyyih Khanum, called a “prescription for living.”
Nahzy Buck (photo right)
Contact Nahzy
Born and raised as a Bahá’í in my native country (Iran), I've lived in Kenya, Tanzania, and South Korea (as a Bahá’í “pioneer”) and then in Canada before moving to the United States in 1987. I work as a freelance translator. Since there are no clergy or individual religious leaders in the Bahá’í Faith (members elect local, regional, national and international Bahá’í councils by prayerful secret ballot, with no nominations or campaigning allowed), I am available as a resource of information on Bahá’í principles and practices, especially as they apply to the various spiritual challenges that CMU students may encounter.
Christian
Judy Shieh (photo left)
Contact Judy
Growing up in an Air Force family, I moved a lot and was uninspired by my experiences in the church. I had a lot of questions about God and the bible and found answers through college bible studies. A2F is where I found trusted mentors and formed friendships centered on Christ. Through these relationships, I experienced a renewed relationship with Jesus, sense of joy, purpose and meaning that I hope to share with CMU students. Before full-time ministry, I worked as a lawyer, so if you're pre-law, let me know if you need any tips.
Angell Shieh (photo right)
Contact Angell
College was a time where my faith became much more personal and real. So, I've loved being on campus to meet students, and have been engaged with college ministry for the past 20+ years. As a former medical doctor turned pastor, I understand the pressures that students face regarding career, future, finances, and want to be there to help guide them through making decisions in a godly manner. I live close by campus and am always down to chat!
Agapé Life Church
Ed Shin
Contact Ed
Contact James
Natalie Gregory (photo center)
Contact Natalie
I’ve been following Jesus for nine years. I care deeply about walking with students and helping them navigate the challenges of school, family life, and every day stressors, but most importantly helping them to find and follow Jesus through it all. Being in relationship and following Him has been the greatest joy and source of comfort in my life and I’d love to help you cultivate that for yourself!
Josiah Sanders (photo right)
Contact Josiah
I am a 2021 biology and psychology CMU graduate and a spiritual advisor passionate about faith! Having followed Christ for 10 years, I enjoy exploring scripture and creating a welcoming space for honest conversations about life and spirituality. My non-denominational Christian background and experiences in churches have shaped my approach to mentoring and spiritual development. Whether you are seeking guidance, encouragement, or just someone to listen, I’m here to walk alongside you.
Morgan Gillis (photo back row, left)
Contact Morgan
A second-year FOCUS Catholic missionary serving at the Newman Center, I grew up agnostic in California and converted to Catholicism as a physics graduate student at Brown University. I love to talk about faith, tradition, Jesus, science, technology and languages.
Matthew Ayers (photo back row, center)
Contact Matthew
Fr. Peter Gruber (photo back row, right)
Contact Fr. Peter
I'm a Catholic priest with the Catholic Newman Center at CMU! I've been a priest since 2017 and, before that, I studied engineering and philosophy at Pitt. I'm a member of the Pittsburgh Oratory of St. Philip Neri.
Corrine Gorski (photo front row, left)
Contact Corrrine
My name is Corinne Gorski, and I am a FOCUS missionary with the Catholic Newman Center. I strive to share the love of Christ and the joy of the Gospel with students here at CMU. If you are interested in getting involved in a bible study, retreat opportunities, and more, please do not hesitate to reach out!
Hannah Naylor (photo front row, second from left)
Contact Hannah
Hi! I am the Campus Minister for the Catholic Newman Center here at CMU! I help run many events and create a hospitable place for students to hang out, do work and spend time with Jesus in the chapel. I'm a listening ear and would love to get to know you and help you get involved.
Abigail Hedglen (photo front row, second from right)
Contact Abbie
I chose to be a missionary because of many encounters with God's love throughout college. Missionaries brought me to a relationship with Jesus that changed my life and helped me find lifelong friendships. If you are seeking to know God and have a relationship with Him in a faith-filled community, please reach out. I'd be happy to meet you!
Fr. Thomas Skamai (photo front row, right)
Contact Fr. Thomas
I was ordained a Catholic priest in May of 2022. Since then, I have been serving as a campus chaplain and also as a hospital chaplain. I am happy to help anyone explore the Catholic faith, navigate life's difficulties, or provide a listening ear!
Church of the Ascension (Anglican Church)
The Rev. Jess Bennett
Contact Rev. Bennett
I serve on the pastoral team at Church of the Ascension around the corner from CMU's campus! I lead our church's college-age ministry, as well as regularly preach and lead our Sunday services. I know that the college years are stretching experiences that raise lots of questions about faith and life (they certainly were for me), and I love getting to be a friend and conversation partner to students. I would love to get to know you!
The Church at Mon River
Joshua Page
Contact Joshua
City Reformed Presbyterian Church (PCA)
Andrew Roberts
Contact Andrew
I am a graduate student at CMU and a member of CRPC. We as a church love Christ and his gospel and we celebrate together the forgiveness of our sin and our union with him. We practice our doctrine and our worship according to the Reformed tradition of Christianity and Presbyterian church structure. On campus, we meet to study the Bible and pray once a week in addition to meeting one-on-one. I would love to have you join us or just to meet up and talk!
Jonny Cagwin
Contact Jonny
With more than 20 years of experience in campus ministry, I serve students through a tangible, calm presence as they navigate life during their time at CMU. I hold an M.A. in higher education, certificates in spiritual direction and spiritual formation, and am trained to support those who are experiencing suicidal desperation or ideation. I bring a wealth of experience, compassion, and training to support students on their journey. I am a mentor for students and will cheer for them in all aspects of life and Christian faith.
The Rev. Erin Angeli (photo left)
Contact Rev. Erin
I love to invite others to be their complete, authentic selves before God in ways that are empowering and life-giving to them, which includes celebrating their Queer identities! As someone who is both a Queer person and a person of faith, I know that intersection can be hard to navigate. Providing a listening ear to community members going through the long, hard trek of faith deconstruction is another one of my passions, and I encourage folks to partake in that work in community with others who are experiencing the same.
The Rev. Mike Holohan (photo right)
Contact Rev. Mike
One thing that I loved about being a student was getting to study many different subjects. But I sometimes struggled when what I learned contradicted the beliefs I was raised with - especially religious ones. I worried that my fragile faith would snap under the weight of my questions. What felt like a crisis turned out to be a great opportunity to expand my little faith into a more expansive one. Some of my beliefs have changed but my faith remains. Let’s talk about how God is big enough for our faith and doubt, our successes and failures, our pain and grief, our anger and joy - and our desire to make the world a place where everyone thrives!
Stephen Blum
Contact Stephen
It is my honor to walk alongside college students and do my best to share Christ's love. College is a time of challenge, change and growth, and I am excited to work with students who have questions about faith, God, the Bible and Christianity. Even if you are not interested in those things, I still have space and time for you. I can be found in the Cohon Center passing out free Panera on Mondays between 11:30 am - 1:30 pm.
Kathy McCready
Contact Kathy
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at CMU has both undergrad and graduate student groups. Although my usual domain is with graduate and MBA students through Graduate Christian Fellowship and the Christian Business Association, I'm happy to talk with anyone, regardless of church affiliation or no church background. It's my great joy to accompany students on their faith journey and help people connect to the God who loves them beyond measure. Let's grab a cup of coffee and chat.
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (Faculty)
Robin Capcara
Contact Robin
A Western Pennsylvania native, I have spent my 40-year career teaching, training, and discipling adult Christians in the Pittsburgh area. For the last 15 years, I have been ministering to faculty members at Carnegie Mellon, Pitt and Duquesne universities with Intervarsity Christian Fellowship Graduate and Faculty Ministries. I am also a certified spiritual director.
Rev. Brian O. Bennett
Contact Rev. Brian
For over a decade, I have been doing campus ministry, building community through weekly meals, worship services, servant opportunities, education and fellowship. The campus ministry, located at 4515 Forbes Avenue, is open, welcoming and affirming of LGBTQIA+ students, trusting that Jesus's love is for everyone. Folks are given space to participate however they want. I am particularly fond of engaging popular culture (the geekier the better) in theological discussion.
Pastor Eric R. Andræ
Contact Pastor Eric
I am Rev. Eric R. Andræ and have been a campus pastor at CMU, as well as at Pitt and Chatham, since February 2001. The most experienced full-time campus minister in Pittsburgh, I have worked with, ministered to, and counseled thousands of college students with robust and engaging Law-Gospel application from God’s Word. If you want a free lunch or cup of coffee, contact me, as I love getting to know all kinds of students. A native of Sweden I am married to Paola, a real estate agent and native of Mexico, and have two awesome daughters.
Pastor Jesse McLaughlin (photo left)
Contact Pastor Jesse
Having cared for university students in the Pittsburgh area for many years, I am passionate about sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with those who have least access and making disciples through preaching, teaching and sharing life together. My favorite conversations are about the questions and beliefs people have about God, life and spirituality. He lives with his wife and four kids in Squirrel Hill, near the CMU campus.
Pastor Terence Liu (photo right)
Contact Pastor Lui
My first contact with Christanity was the enthusiastic reception of new students and the genuine love of Christians in a student fellowship when I came to Pittsburh to study in 1991. I also got to know Jesus at a gospel camp organized by the church and believed in the Lord and was baptized. After graduation, I worked for a IT technology company and studied in a theological seminary for a mastor of divinity degree in Los Angeles. Since then, he has been serving as a Chinese pastor in the Pittsburgh Chinese Church Oakland. He loves chatting with students about the gospel, faith and life.
Pittsburgh Metro Cru
Kristin Tasker
Contact Kristin
Tim Shine
Contact Tim
PRISM is a diverse, compassionate community which aims to follow and lovingly live out the principles of the Bible. We welcome international students to engage us and get involved in a variety of activities. You are invited to come and momentarily escape the pressures of the academic world to enjoy such activities as weekend trips, holiday stays with host families, Bible or English studies, or meet new friends over a relaxing Friday night meal and a relevant cultural topic.
Rev. Dr. Rachel C. Herbert
Contact Rev. Rachel
A Pittsburgh transplant from Texas, I studied religion and the arts with a minor in classical vocal performance at Belmont University in Nashville, TN, and later went on to get her masters from Princeton Theological Seminary and her doctorate from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA. I have a heart for campus ministry, enjoying conversations with students about life, faith and everything in between. I am always eager to treat a student to coffee or a meal to provide pastoral support, being most especially supportive of the de-stigmatization of mental illness and faith, and being an LGBTQIA+ ally.
Jewish
Rabbi Shlomo Silverman (photo left)
Contact Rabbi Shlomo
A fifth generation Pittsburgher, I grew up in a family who gave generously of their time and money to those around them. After receiving my rabbinic ordination in Israel in 2007, I moved back with my wife, Chani, to run the Chabad of CMU. In this role as the rabbi, my goal is to create an open and comfortable Jewish community on campus. I teach classes on Judaism, run weekly events and am available to meet anyone in the campus community.
Mrs. Chani Silverman (photo right)
Contact Chani
A wife, mother, teacher and co-director of Chabad of CMU, I am there for students in any way that they need. I teach classes on Judaism, host large, home-cooked meals for Shabbat and Jewish holidays with Rabbi Shlomo, and counsel students in need.
Brian Burke (photo left)
Director of Israel and Jewish Experiences
Contact Brian
A Pittsburgh native, I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2019, with a bachelor's in political science, a minor in history, and a certificate in Jewish studies. I held several leadership roles on the Hillel at Pitt student board and the campus Israel club. I have participated in, and staffed, several immersive Israel experiences, including working as a madrich with BBYO Passport. Before coming to Hillel JUC, I worked as a program associate for a Birthright Israel trip organizer. I am excited to bring my passion for Israel engagement and advocacy to Hillel and help students develop and strengthen their own connections to Israel.
Born and raised in Jerusalem, Israel, I earned a bachelor’s degree in special education and arts education from Tel Hai College in northern Israel, and a master’s degree in educational administration, policy, and leadership from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Over the past four years, I have worked at the Ministry of Education in the public relations department as a social media manager, journalist, video editor, graphic editor, and event producer. I have a strong passion for cinema, theater, photography, writing, and meeting new places and new people.
Born in Pittsburgh but raised in Cleveland, I am thrilled to be living and working in the city of bridges. I received my Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Nonfiction Writing from Chatham University, and my Bachelor of Arts degree in Judaic Studies and English from Binghamton University. I love helping people discover their connection to Jewish life and am so excited to meet students! In my free time, I enjoy writing, cooking, travelling, and talking about modern Jewish life in Europe.
Unitarian Universalist
Mac Perkins-High
Contact Mac
I am a recent transplant to the Pittsburgh area, having been drawn here by the combination of a vibrant city and easy access to nature. I ended up in ministry by way of being a barista, where the ongoing relationships I had with my regulars both rooted me in the community and made it clear to me how much I valued accompaniment. Academically, I think a lot about relationality and place. In addition to being active outside, I get great joy from making things with my hands, sharing time with my friends, and participating in folk music and dance.
Can't find your community?
If you don't find your faith represented in CoRA, we are happy to help you get in touch with the appropriate student organizations, places of worship and resources within the local community. Please contact us for more information.
- Buddhism: Buddhist Society of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh Buddhist Center
- Humanist: Freethought Society
- Hinduism: International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON); Sri Venkatesware Temple
- Islam: Islamic Center of Pittsburgh
- Jainism: Hindu Jain Temple
- Sikhism: Pittsburgh Sikh Gurdwara
- Wiccan or Neo-Pagan: Reclaiming Pittsburgh
Christian (specific denominations)
- African Methodist Episcopal: Bethel A.M.E. Church
- African Methodist Episcopal Zion: Wesley Center A.M.E. Zion Church
- Antiochene Orthodox Church: St. George Orthodox Cathedral
- Baptist: Macedonia Church of Pittsburgh
- Byzantine Catholic: Holy Spirit Byzantine Catholic Church
- Christian Missionary Alliance: Webster Avenue Christian Missionary Alliance, 2325 Webster Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
- Christian Scientist: First Church of Christ, Scientist
- Church of Christ: Church of Christ, Fifth & Beechwood
- Church of God in Christ: First Church of God in Christ, 2502 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
- Episcopal Church-USA: Church of the Redeemer
- Greek Orthodox Church: St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral
- Jehovah’s Witnesses: Several area Kingdom Halls
- Mennonite: Pittsburgh Mennonite Church
- Mormon (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints): The Christian Church in Pittsburgh, 250 North Dithridge Street
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Non-denominational or Multi-denominational: Community of Reconciliation Church; Korean Central Church of Pittsburgh
- Orthodox Church in America: St. Mary Orthodox Church
- Quaker: The Religious Society of Friends of Pittsburgh
- United Methodist Church: First United Methodist Church of Pittsburgh; Warren United Methodist Church