Jewelnel Davis

Jewelnel Davis is the University Chaplain, Associate Provost, and Director of the Kraft Global Fellows Program at Columbia University. Additionally, Chaplain Davis served as Director of the Earl Hall Center from July 1996 through January 2019. As the Director of the Earl Hall Center, she reestablished the Office of the University Chaplain after a nearly 30-year hiatus.  

She developed the Religious Life Advisors Program, oversaw the Kraft Family Multifaith and Intercultural co-sponsorship Fund programs, and Office of the University Chaplain co-sponsorship programs. Chaplain Davis developed with students the Common Meal, Chaplain’s Tea, initiated Music at St. Paul’s, Arts at Earl Sacred Music Programs, and redesigned the University Baccalaureate ceremony.  Chaplain Davis had oversight of Earl Hall and St. Paul Chapels building operations and administration and of Community Impact, and the Student Governing Board (SGB) during her tenure as Director of the Earl Hall Center.

As the University Chaplain, she works collaboratively with both University and Religious Life, to foster learning spaces for political, ethical, religious, spiritual dialogue and raising intercultural awareness. With Columbia’s faculty, deans, administrative teams and students, Davis helps address issues of campus life in a diverse community of various religious backgrounds, beliefs, cultures, identities, and values.

The Office of the University Chaplain designs and sponsors a variety of programs on matters of justice, faith, and spirituality. The Kraft Global Fellowship program is an initiative directed by the Office of the University Chaplain with the goal to invite students of diverse backgrounds to travel to one of the Columbia Global Centers (CGC) to study and conduct research that focuses on intercultural and interfaith dialogue.

Chaplain Davis offers individual, couples, family and group pastoral care and counseling to faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Chaplain Davis’ focus is to serve the greater Columbia Community with passion and excellence