Susan Nowak

Susan Nowak is a Professor of Religious Studies and holds the William H. Shannon Chair at Nazareth College. She teaches courses such as Exploring Religion, Auschwitz and After, and Accounting for Genocide. Her research focuses on feminist thought, Holocaust studies, and interfaith dialogue.

Education: B.A., Nazareth College (1977); M.A., Temple University; Ph.D., Syracuse University.

Nowak emphasizes empowering students to explore personal beliefs and engage with global issues. She organizes The March: Bearing Witness to Hope, a biennial educational pilgrimage to Holocaust sites in Germany and Poland. She also co-founded the Holocaust by Bullets project, documenting stories of marginalized communities affected by violence.

Awards: 2020 Distinguished Colleague Award for her impactful teaching and scholarship.

Additional Roles: Sister of St. Joseph, advocate for interfaith initiatives, and co-developer of Nazareth’s Hickey Center for Interfaith Studies.

Her work integrates academic rigor with personal growth, aiming to foster compassion, justice, and connection among students.