Alumni Spotlight: Emma Griffis '23

What was your major? Why did you choose it?
I was a religious studies and English double major. I chose religious studies because I wanted to pursue a career in hospital chaplaincy, and English to improve my writing skills and boost my resume.

What are you up to now?
I am a graduate student at Boston University in a Master of Divinity program. I have interned as a chaplain at UC Davis Medical center and am looking to complete another chaplain internship next summer. I am taking classes on interreligious pastoral care, conflict transformation, trauma, and family therapy.

How did your experience at UC Davis prepare you for the next step in your academic and professional journey?
Studying religion at UC Davis was an opportunity to learn in-depth about many religions not offered in a graduate program of divinity. Classes on religion and health, religion and ethics, and more prepared me for career-relevant problems and put me ahead of my classmates.

What's your advice for someone considering your major?

Have an end goal in mind.

What was your favorite part of your undergraduate program here?
I loved the Religious Studies Tea and Notes from the Field lunches.

What are you most proud of from your undergrad experience?
Finishing my honors thesis with Professor Syed.

Do you have a professor or a class you want to shout out?
I loved my seminar class with Professor Janowitz, my Bhakti class with Professor Venkatesan, and every class I took with Professor Terry!

What were you involved in outside of class (clubs, internships, etc.)?
I was a peer advisor and a hospice volunteer.