Imam Amir Duric navigates a new position as Assistant Dean overseeing religious and spiritual affairs at Hendricks Chapel.
Imam Amir Durić Appointed Assistant Dean for Religious and Spiritual Life at Syracuse University
Imam Amir Durić, a distinguished alumnus of Syracuse University, has been appointed as the assistant dean for religious and spiritual life at Hendricks Chapel, effective July 2025. This new role expands his leadership responsibilities beyond his previous position as Muslim chaplain, which he held since 2017.
In his new capacity, Imam Durić will focus on advancing interfaith engagement, spiritual wellness, and ethical development within the university community. His contributions to interfaith leadership at Syracuse are significant, having expanded Muslim student life, co-founded the Jewish-Muslim Dialogue Fellowship, and received numerous awards for his work.
One of Imam Durić’s most notable achievements is the establishment of the first Muslim Student Life endowment, which has boosted student participation by 500% through innovative programming and outreach efforts. He was also recognized as an Interfaith America Innovation Fellow and received several awards, including the 2023 One University Award, the 2024 Award for Excellence by an Organizational Advisor, and the 2025 CNY RISE Center’s Community Service Award.
Imam Durić's leadership style is grounded in compassion, pluralism, and global citizenship, inspired by his experiences growing up in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a region marked by conflict and diversity. He is a dynamic educator, scholar, counselor, and strategic thinker committed to preparing students for participation in a diverse and global society.
Rebecca Reed Kantrowitz, associate dean of Hendricks Chapel, is looking forward to working with Imam Durić in his new role. Prior to this appointment, Imam Durić served as the Muslim chaplain and executive director of Muslim student life at the University. He is currently completing a Ph.D. in social science at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.
Imam Durić's scholarship and community work focus on the experiences of Muslim students, interfaith engagement, and the intersection of faith and public life. He has also had various roles within the Islamic Community of North American Bosniaks and is a member of the board of directors for Interfaith Works of Central New York.
Imam Durić is a devoted religious leader, a dynamic teacher and scholar, compassionate counselor, strategic thinker, and enterprising global citizen. He is a frequent speaker at national and international conferences and has led various projects through the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, co-founding a humanitarian non-governmental organization in his hometown.
The forthcoming announcement of a new Muslim chaplain at Hendricks Chapel promises to further strengthen Syracuse University's role as a model of interfaith cooperation and leadership development. Imam Amir Durić is a key figure in the university's interfaith landscape, recognized for significantly advancing religious inclusivity, student engagement, and dialogue across faiths within the university community.
[1] Syracuse University News, "Imam Amir Durić Appointed Assistant Dean for Religious and Spiritual Life at Hendricks Chapel," 2025.
[2] Syracuse University News, "Imam Amir Durić Named 2024-2025 Interfaith America Innovation Fellow," 2024.
[3] Syracuse University News, "Imam Amir Durić Receives 2025 CNY RISE Center's Community Service Award," 2025.
Imam Amir Durić's new role as Assistant Dean for Religious and Spiritual Life at Syracuse University will emphasize personal growth, education-and-self-development, and career-development, as he focuses on advancing interfaith engagement, spiritual wellness, and ethical development within the university community. He has previously demonstrated his commitment to these areas through his achievements, such as establishing the Muslim Student Life endowment, co-founding the Jewish-Muslim Dialogue Fellowship, and being recognized as an Interfaith America Innovation Fellow.
With his emphasis on interfaith engagement and religious inclusivity, Imam Amir Durić's leadership will undoubtedly contribute to the continued development of students, encouraging them to participate in a diverse and global society, which aligns with his commitment to compassion, pluralism, and global citizenship.
