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Vanessa Gomez Brake does not subscribe to any faith: She classifies herself as an atheist — or secular humanist, as she prefers. (Photo/Courtesy of Vanessa Gomez Brake)
University
USC’s Vanessa Gomez Brake honored as national university Chaplain of the Year
The Association for Chaplaincy and Spiritual Life in Higher Education acknowledged the senior associate dean of religious life — the first humanist in U.S. history to occupy that role.
Having extensively examined and collaborated with advocates of most principal religions, USC Senior Associate Dean of Religious Life Vanessa Gomez Brake always knew she needed to operate in an environment where she could apply her insights and curiosity effectively. For Gomez Brake, that institution could only be USC.
In her present position, she endorses and cultivates university religious and spiritual life-related events and helps manage over 90 student religious organizations and 50 spiritual affiliates across campus.
Differing from the majority of religious or spiritual leaders, Gomez Brake does not practice any religion. She is a self-identified atheist — or secular humanist, as she prefers. This is the reason she stated she required a university environment: It provides a culture of inquiry and a receptiveness that she says supports her own spiritual exploration.
“I jest with other atheists that the university is our sacred space,” expressed Gomez Brake, who earned her doctorate in education from the USC Rossier School of Education. “Where else do you pursue knowledge and truth?”
This contributes to why she believes USC was the ideal choice.
“We consider it a universal experience for humans that they are on a spiritual quest, or if spiritual is not the term, they are engaged in a journey of crafting meaning,” Gomez Brake noted. “We recognize that everyone seeks significance in their lives, especially in challenging periods such as now, which differentiates us from many offices throughout this country.”
This approach has resonated beyond USC. In February, the Association for Chaplaincy and Spiritual Life in Higher Education designated Gomez Brake as Chaplain of the Year. The organization formally awarded her at its annual gathering in Washington, D.C.
“I was aware this organization grants awards every year, but I didn’t realize a number of individuals had to nominate me, so that was a delightful surprise,” Gomez Brake stated. “I’ve received accolades in the past, but this one is particularly meaningful, because it is from my colleagues in the domain of university chaplaincy, and from an organization representing religious professionals in higher education across the United States.”
Chaplain of the Year: A testament from her colleagues
As per the Association for Chaplaincy and Spiritual Life in Higher Education, the Chaplain of the Year Award recognizes a higher education chaplain who has made a substantial impact within the field on campus and beyond. Initiated in 2020 through a merger between the National Association of College and University Chaplains and the Association of College and University Religious Affairs — the latter started in 1959 by religious life personnel from Big Ten universities — the association holds a prominent position regarding religious and spiritual life in higher education.
Varun Soni, USC’s dean of religious life, affirms the acknowledgment is entirely deserved.
“Vanessa’s contributions are far too many to list, and her influence is far too significant to measure,” Soni remarked. “I’ve been in this realm for nearly 20 years, and Vanessa stands out as the finest I’ve ever encountered.”
Soni mentioned her innovative approach to ministry
“`and chaplaincy presents a nationwide framework for the future of spiritual life in tertiary education.
“She’s also a prominent national leader and plays a significant role in key religious, educational, and cultural arts organizations beyond USC,” he remarked.
Gomez Brake — the inaugural humanist to serve as a leading religious figure at a college or university — states that the trust Soni placed in her when she began at USC in 2017 was the affirmation she required.
“Varun has been one of my greatest supporters and guides,” commented Gomez Brake, who is also a counselor for the university’s Interfaith Council and Secular Student Fellowship. “USC needed an individual who could adeptly navigate this evolving landscape of spiritual life, and I believe that probably gave me an advantage.”
Journey to chaplaincy for the Chaplain of the Year
“As a Filipino, it’s quite challenging to dissociate those two aspects of identity,” she expressed. “Even though I abandoned my faith at a very young age, I’ve consistently been intrigued by religion, which is why I devoted my education, research, and career to gaining a deeper understanding of the world’s spiritual practices.”
Her undergraduate studies at Arizona State University ignited her enthusiasm for interfaith dialogue and solidified her position as a humanist — a belief system that emphasizes human potential through reason and empirical evidence, rather than religious doctrine. Following her time at Arizona State, she acquired a Master of Science degree in conflict analysis and resolution from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va.
“I cherished the opportunity to engage with people from various religious traditions and backgrounds,” she stated about her student experience. “There’s a saying in South Africa known as ‘Ubuntu,’ which means one can truly understand oneself only through others. I perceive interfaith as exactly that — to genuinely know oneself and one’s beliefs requires engaging with individuals who do not share your convictions.”
Eventually, Gomez Brake began her work at an interfaith seminary in Berkeley, where individuals prepare to become chaplains. Gomez Brake confesses she had no plans of pursuing that path herself.
“I was simply an ardent supporter of interfaith initiatives, and I appreciated the setting of interfaith learning,” she noted.
Subsequently, she accepted a role within Stanford University’s Office for Religious & Spiritual Life, where she managed programs and staff at the historic Stanford Memorial Church; the CIRCLE: Center for Inter-Religious Community, Learning and Experiences; and Windhover Contemplative Center. She later pursued her studies at the Chicago Theological Seminary, where she obtained her Master of Divinity degree, ultimately leading her to USC.
“As far as I knew, an atheist had never held the title of dean of religious life anywhere,” Gomez Brake stated. “However, USC is unique — their first dean of religious life was a rabbi, and their second dean of religious life was Hindu.”
Offering spiritual support for all
While many traditionalists may resist the notion of an atheist occupying any role in a religious life office at a prestigious university, Gomez Brake is cognizant of her credentials. She also realizes that as spiritual identities transform with younger generations, her beliefs and background enable her to offer spiritual support to anyone who enters her space.
“We often observe substantial research indicating that young adults are increasingly unaffiliated — more than half of them identify as nonreligious,” Gomez Brake commented. “Thus, even if they consider themselves spiritual, they are not engaging in practices the conventional ways. There exists a generational gap in our receptiveness to diverse spiritual expressions.”
According to Gomez Brake, students often feel reassured by her perspectives, given that she does not approach her support from a specific faith.
“The reality is, it makes no difference what I personally believe,” she asserted. “Often, it doesn’t even come up because when you’re providing support, the focus revolves entirely around the needs of the care-seeker.”