The Global Interfaith Leadership Project (GILP) at Hendricks Chapel of Syracuse University equips students to translate their values into meaningful action. GILP provides opportunities for students to deepen their sense of identity and purpose, engage constructively across differences, form friendships, contribute to teh common good and make a difference in a diverse and interconnected world through a combination of guided reflections, interdisciplinary learning, experiential engagement and applied leadership.
All students of Syracuse University and SUNY-ESF are invited to apply. Applications will open on Nov. 1, 2026.
Expectations
Between January 2027 and November 2027, the selected second cohort of the Global Interfaith Leadership Project will:
- Participate in weekly interactive sessions focused on interfaith leadership formation
- Engage in site visits with civic and interfaith organizations in Central New York
- Design and implement a civic engagement project (individually or in groups) addressing campus, community, or global challenges
- Volunteer at least 20 hours between January and November in various Hendricks Chapel service opportunities
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the program, participants will:
- Develop self-awareness and ethical depth rooted in diverse spiritual and philosophical traditions.
- Cultivate leadership skills in communication, collaboration, empathy, and global engagement.
- Design and implement a civic engagement project addressing interfaith and societal challenges.
- Demonstrate the ability to foster reconciliation, transformation, and empowerment in communities.
- Build a lifelong commitment to interfaith leadership and global citizenship.
Schedule and Time Commitment
70 total hours of your time, to be dispersed between January and November of 2027.
Preliminary details include:
Kickoff retreat & orientation: January 6-8, 2027 (Silver Bay YMCA — Conference and Family Retreat Center)
Weekly Sessions: Tuesdays, 6:00pm-7:30pm (January 26 through April 20)
- Session 1: Tuesday, January 26, 2027, 6:00pm-7:30pm
- Sessions 2-5: Tuesdays (Feb 2, 9, 16, 23, 2027), 6:00pm-7:30pm & two site visits
- Sessions 6-8: Tuesdays (Mar 2, 16, 23, 30, 2027), 6:00pm-7:30pm & two site visits
- Sessions 9-12: Tuesdays (Apr 6, 13, 20, 2027), 6:00pm-7:30pm & two site visits
- May 19-31, 2027: International Trip to Germany and Bosnia*
- November 12-14, 2027: Interfaith America Leadership Summit*
Note: Site visits will mostly take place on weekends and each visit will take about 2 hours including travel
Program Benefits and Scholar Opportunities
- Transformative educational experience
- Community impact and leadership development
- Recognition as a Global Interfaith Leadership Scholar of Hendricks Chapel at Syracuse University
- $1,000 in program-related support, including a $500 scholar stipend and $500 allocated toward the implementation of an approved community engagement project
- Each cohort meeting includes light dinner
- Certificate of Completion & a graduation cord upon successful fulfillment of program requirements
- Phase-specific microcredentials and digital badges recognizing demonstrated learning outcomes, leadership competencies, and successful completion of program milestones
- Possibility of completing designated GILP components as a three-credit independent study through Maxwell School, subject to academic approval and applicable tuition costs. Tuition is not covered by GILP.
- Become part of a growing network of interfaith leaders, practitioners, and alumni committed to advancing religious pluralism, collaboration, and the common good
- Eligibility to participate in an International Immersive Learning Experience*
- Eligibility to attend Interfaith America Leadership Summit in November 2027*
* Participation in international travel and the Interfaith America Leadership Summit is subject to selection criteria, available funding, institutional approval, and applicable program requirements. Eligibility does not guarantee participation.
Eligibility
All students enrolled at Syracuse University and SUNY-ESF are encouraged to apply, with priority consideration given to first- and second-year undergraduate students. Applications will be accepted from November 1–30, 2026, with admission decisions expected to be announced by December 15, 2026.
If you’re interested or have questions, please contact Dean Durić at aduric@syr.edu!