Campus Life

Embracing our neighbors: Matthew Hoffman champions connecting across religious and spiritual differences at UMBC

Oct 23, 2026 • By Sarah Hansen, M.S. '15

This fall, UMBC’s Division of Student Affairs launched the Center for Religion, Spirituality, and Pluralism (CRSP) under the leadership of center director Matthew Hoffman. Hoffman’s roles outside UMBC range from serving as a member of the Maryland comptroller’s Faith Leaders Advisory Council to raising his children in both Christian and Jewish religious traditions. In this Q&A, he shares the center’s vision, his path to the role, and how students, staff, and faculty can engage with the center.