I’m excited to join the Claremont Colleges community as the Interfaith Protestant Chaplain! My family and I recently moved from the Washington, DC area where I was the Undergraduate Director of Religious Studies and Professorial Lecturer of East Asian religions at American University. I earned a Ph.D. in Theological and Religious Studies from Georgetown University, researching world Christianity, interreligious dialogue, interfaith communities, and religious pluralism. During my time at Georgetown, I served as a Chaplain-in-Residence, coordinating and planning events, providing interfaith counseling, and leading conversations about anti-racism, gender, mental health, and equity in a housing community of nearly 500 students. My ministry background also includes church planting and student ministry in Boston, MA and Tennessee.

Within my chaplain and academic roles, I have presented on interreligious and interfaith dialogue at conferences with organizations like Parliament of the World’s Religions, the American Academy of Religion, and the World Council of Churches. I’m grateful to be a part of the Claremont Colleges! If you need anything, my door is always open!

Protestant Chaplain Appointed Announcement

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Rev. Dr. Joel Daniels, who will serve as Protestant Chaplain at The Claremont Colleges. As Protestant Chaplain, he will join our three Chaplains at the McAlister Center for Religious Activities and codirect the Interfaith Chaplaincy. His scholarship focuses on understanding religious belonging, new religious moments, social justice, ethics, and mental health.

Rev. Dr. Joel Daniels is an Ordained Minister in the American Baptist Churches, USA (Washington DC Convention). He has served as Lead Pastor for a Boston congregation and as a Middle School Pastor and Student Pastor in congregations in Tennessee. His prior assignment was a Professorial Lecturer and Undergraduate Director of Religious Studies at American University. At American University, he primarily taught religions, philosophies, and ethics of Asia as Buddhism has been very influential in his Christian journey.

Rev. Daniels earned his Ph.D. in Theological and Religious Studies at Georgetown University in 2020. His areas of concentration were Interreligious and Interfaith Studies, Theology, and Pluralism. While working on his Ph.D., he and his family lived in student housing, where he served as a Chaplain-in-Residence providing spiritual support to about 500 undergraduate students.

Rev. Daniels and his family, which include his wife, three children, and an adorable Goldendoodle named Willa, are relocating to the Claremont area.

TCCS is delighted to have Rev. Dr. Daniels serve as Protestant Chaplain at The Claremont Colleges. Rev. Dr. Daniels’s knowledge of interfaith studies, Christianity, and experience working with students makes him a tremendous asset to the faith community on campus. Rev. Dr. Daniels is excited to connect with students and serve the Protestant campus community through outreach, worship services, pastoral counseling, community building, and facilitation of other programs, services, and events.