Santa Clara University

Matt Smith

Director of Social Justice Ministry

    Hi there! My name's Matt and I'm the Campus Minister heading up Social Justice Ministry at Santa Clara University. People often wonder what that entails. Primarily it means that I walk with students who are examining and struggling with how to be compassionate and informed citizens of the world. I am available to chat and welcome opportunities to expand our options for interacting with various issues of justice both within and beyond SCU.



    My interests include singing, tending to the worms that eat my garbage, baking and cooking (yummy!), general circus-type activities (juggling, unicycling, balloon animal making), chatting, tossing the frisbee, cycling, making coffee for people, among many other things that bring me life. I try hard to balance my myriad activities. I've recently made a vow to rid myself of perfectionist tendencies.

    Some of my areas of specialization include awareness of LGBTQ-related issues, education and involvement in initiatives raising awareness around violence against women, the death penalty, immigration, and multicultural issues. I hope to be a resource for anyone who wrestles with how to live a life of integrity amid forces that tell us we have to submit to a particular lifestyle.


    I look forward to meeting you, chatting, having a cup of coffee, and generally being merry. Life is good and we're blessed to be in it together.

    For those who are concerned with credentials and biographical information, I offer this: I'm from New York originally, having moved to California in 2001 for work in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps with day workers. I graduated from The College of Saint Rose in 2001 with a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Spanish Education. I was heavily involved in retreat work throughout high school and college and worked in Campus Ministry at my college for three of my four years. I hold a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry, focusing on spirituality. I have training in non-violence, conflict transformation, as a campus advocate for victims of sexual assault, and as a group facilitator. I serve on various campus committees and am available as needed for university-related activities.