Biography
Saphira grew up in a rural mountain town in Colorado, where small-town challenges shaped an early awareness of care and justice. As a teenager, they became deeply involved in local and state-wide mental health activism, focusing on the role of sexual assault in youth mental illness. This commitment to community care led them to Oberlin, where their studies—and a formative personal leave of absence—deepened their passion for learning, joy, and connection. During that leave, Saphira traveled across Europe and Central Asia, developing a strong appreciation for diverse spiritual traditions, cross-cultural exchange, and the importance of outdoor and international learning in shaping resilient, compassionate communities.
At Oberlin, Saphira was active with Survivors of Sexual Assault and Allies, several Jewish student organizations, the Oberlin Rock Climbing Club, the Oberlin Contact Improvisation Collective, the Interfaith Student Council, and more. In their final years, they served as a facilitator for Barefoot Dialogue and worked as the Office Assistant for the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life. In recognition of their leadership and commitment to community, Saphira was honored with the Senior Leadership Award.
This past summer, Saphira worked as an outdoor educator, reinforcing their accompaniment with learning and land in a fun-focused environment.
In their role with the Multifaith Chaplaincy, Saphira is dedicated to fostering authentic expression, building supportive spaces, and engaging students across traditions and identities. They are especially drawn to the intersections of healing, spirituality, and justice, and seek to walk alongside others in their journeys with curiosity and radical acceptance.
