In 2010, Rev. Tiffany L. Steinwert made history as the first female dean of Hendricks Chapel.
During her tenure, she worked tirelessly to prompt social activism as a pillar of the religious and faith community. In pursuit of that inclusivity, she helped to transform the university’s religious observance system to better support students of all faith traditions in their academics.
In an interview with the Daily Orange in 2012, Steinwert explained the basis behind the change to the MySlice accommodation system. “It didn’t seem quite right to us that there were three holidays that had non-instructional days and other observances were not included in that,” Steinwert said. “We wanted to create a policy that was fair and balanced and recognized all religious diversity on campus.”
One of the hallmarks of her half a decade of leadership, in 2007 Steiner worked with Women Transcending Boundaries to coordinate a city wide, interfaith “Journey to the Tent of Abraham.” Community members joined Hendricks Chapel leaders for a walk through religious centers on campus, including the Hillel Center for a performance by Jewish a capella group, Oy Cappella.
Steinwert’s ideals of service and collaboration still continue in the chapel today through initiatives like the Global Interfaith Leadership Project.
After Hendricks Chapel, Steinwert went on to Wellesley College where she served as Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life for the historically women’s college. In 2019, she was appointed to the same position at Stanford University, where she remains today. Steinwert is an alumna of Williams College and continued her education at Boston University, where she received her Master’s of Divinity and Doctorate in Philosophy.