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My Swat Story: Director of Religious and Spiritual Life Joyce Tompkins

Joyce Tompkins

Joyce Tompkins
Director of Religious and Spiritual Life and the Interfaith Center

Our Students Inspire Her

“I have worked on the Swarthmore campus for more than 14 years, first as a part-time religious adviser and now as full-time director of religious and spiritual life and the Interfaith Center. That change itself reflects the reason I am so proud to be a part of the Swarthmore community: Our campus cares for the whole person, and we grow to meet the changing needs of our students. I love working with Swarthmore students, whose passion, intelligence, and commitment to improving the world give me hope for the future.” 

She Leads a Team of Faithful Resources

“I work with my Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Catholic colleagues, as well as with four student interfaith interns. Together, our team provides a range of programs, groups, and personal spiritual support to students, faculty, and staff. We connect students who identify as religious with the resources they need to deepen their practice, while encouraging dialogue across traditions through text study, story time, meals, and planned speaker events. My own faith is inspired and deepened whenever I hear the personal stories of others across generations and across traditions—we all have so much in common.” 

She’s a Reader and a Runner

“When not in my office, I can be found running with my dog, Buttercup, in the Crum Woods. It’s my happy place! I love to read poetry and fiction, and watch the birds. I also have three grown sons—including middle son Jonathan Tompkins ’10— and a new baby granddaughter, who all live in North Carolina.”