Hillel Gathers Hundreds of New Professionals to Build Campus Skills and Community
Ahead of the fall semester, more than 200 new Hillel professionals gathered at The Ohio State University for New Professionals Institute (NPI), Hillel International’s annual immersive onboarding experience.
These professionals, who represent campus Hillels across North America, spent three days intensively building the knowledge, relationships, and shared foundation that will shape their work in the months and years ahead – starting with back-to-school programming that will welcome thousands of Jewish students to hundreds of campuses in August. Whether they will be engaging students one-on-one, planning events or holiday celebrations, supporting operations, fundraising, or leading teams, they all share a common goal: helping students create joyful, empowered Jewish campus communities.
“The student experience is shaped by the people who show up every day to build relationships, ask thoughtful questions, and create spaces where students feel they belong,” said Maiya Edelson Ed.D, Hillel International’s senior vice president for organizational learning and development. “New Professionals Institute is where we begin investing in those people. It’s more than an introduction to Hillel, it’s the beginning of a professional community that will continue learning, growing, and supporting one another long after this week ends.”
NPI opened with remarks from Adam Lehman, president and CEO of Hillel International, who reflected on the pride and leadership that go into a Hillel professional’s journey — and the way that journey is reflected through their work with students. Lehman also spoke about the importance of professional support and development through cohorts, learning opportunities, and mentorships.
The opening session featured four Hillel professionals who shared some of the personal experiences that brought them to this work. Their stories were remarkably different, but they pointed to a common truth: meaningful relationships have the power to shape lives.
For Sofie Ramirez Soto, Jewish life director at Washington and Lee University Hillel, that journey began with free ice cream. As a college student, she stopped by a Hillel event for a sweet treat, but she kept coming back because what she found was much more fulfilling: a supportive and nurturing Jewish community.
Ramirez Soto said that the guiding principle of her work today is to show up for her students with her full self. “You were hired because of who you are. You’ll learn new skills. You’ll grow in ways you can’t imagine. But don’t walk into this work thinking you have to become someone else to do it well. The person your students need is you,” she said.
Another Hillel professional, Rabbi Rob Gleisser, the senior Jewish educator at Penn State Hillel, was in his twenties when a mentor at Hillel saw his leadership potential. That encouragement inspired him to become a student leader, then a rabbi, and ultimately, to return to his roots at Hillel.
“Our work is to love our students, and their work is to change the world. There are no shortcuts. It takes time. But it’s the most joyful and meaningful work I know,” he said.
That commitment to relationships carried throughout the week.
Participants explored topics including Shabbat celebrations, student engagement, Jewish learning, leadership, campus climate, program planning, and personal well-being, while learning alongside colleagues from across the Hillel movement.
Sessions focused on building connections and relationships among new professionals, especially those who share similar roles across campuses. These relationship-building skills will translate to work with students on campus.
“I’ve learned and picked up some fun new ice breakers and getting-to-know-you activities to bring back to campus,” said Carly Collins, assistant director of student engagement at Jewish Life at Duke.
“Through the workshops, we’ve been sharing ideas on best practices and ways to connect with different kinds of students, so that we’ll be able to build authentic connections,” said Amberley Gin, the IACT coordinator at University of Central Florida Hillel. “It’s been very special to meet the cohort of IACTs in person. We’ve been able to talk openly and share ideas. Even though we’re from campuses across the country, we’ll be able to rely on each other throughout the school year.”
For many attendees, NPI is their first introduction not only to a new role, but also to the broader Hillel movement. The experience offers an opportunity to build relationships with colleagues facing similar opportunities and challenges on campuses across North America.
Many of this year’s participants are Springboard Fellows, recent college graduates who bring firsthand knowledge of today’s campus experience to their work with students. As they begin their professional careers, they also bring fresh ideas, creativity, and a deep understanding of the communities they recently called home.
Among them is Daniel Valitt, who will begin as the Springboard Fellow at Virginia Commonwealth University Hillel this fall.
Reflecting on the week, Valitt said his biggest takeaway was that, “As a new Hillel employee, it felt great to be around people who are as passionate as I am about Jewish life.”
While NPI marks the beginning of a new role, it also marks the beginning of a longer professional journey that Hillel is committed to supporting through varied growth opportunities. And as participants return to their campuses, they leave with practical tools, new colleagues, and a clearer understanding of the role they play in helping students find connection, community, and belonging.