Middlebury Welcomes New Associate Chaplain and Muslim Advisor

MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – The Scott Center for Spiritual and Religious Life has announced that Saifa Hussain has been appointed associate chaplain and Muslim advisor at Middlebury. Hussain, who starts March 19, will fill the position previously shared by Beau Scurich and Naila Baloch, who left Middlebury last year—Scurich to pursue a career in hospital chaplaincy and Baloch for graduate studies.

“Saifa brings outstanding ideas and abilities to Middlebury,” said Mark Orten, dean of spiritual and religious life and director of the Scott Center. “We look forward to her contributions as part of the Muslim community and as part of our staff at the Center.”

“When I met the students and faculty at Middlebury College, their commitment to meaningful and transformative work became apparent to me,” said Hussain. “I am thrilled to be a part of an institution invested in excellence, be it teaching, sustainability, or programming. I hope to serve the Muslim students and larger student body in this vein, God willing!”

Hussain, who earned her bachelor’s degree in religious studies at DePaul University, was as an active leader in the Muslim Student Association (MSA) during her time at DePaul. She has worked as a community organizer in Chicago and in Vermont, and brings strong experience in successful student programming, especially through her work at the Ahle Bayt Institute, leading the hajj for a wide diversity of Muslims.