Lauren Kelly Benson began Aug. 5 as the new director for the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life at Ithaca College.
The decision brought an end to the college’s search for a permanent director to take over following Austin Reid’s time as interim director. Reid held the position during Spring 2024.
As a member of the National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network and BEAM: Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective, Benson emphasizes a trauma informed, disability justice and anti-racist approach to their work. They worked with MNDFL @ Work, a lifestyle company that offers corporate and workplace coaching, to help a variety of workplaces foster equity, mindfulness and holistic wellness through cohort training and workshops. Benson is also the founder and lead teacher of The Black Wellness Project, which supports yoga, meditation, mindfulness and ritual classes and workshops in Black affinity spaces.
Benson holds a degree in sociology from Hunter College and recently completed a Master’s of Divinity with a concentration in interfaith ministry from Union Theological Seminary.
“I am so excited to get to know and support our IC community,” Benson said in the Intercom post. “My heart and work is in creating connections, belonging and community across faiths, beliefs and values and I’m grateful to be able to serve IC in this way. I look forward to exploring how we can practice together ways of feeling emotionally and spiritually resourced to face the big realities and mysteries of the world.”
