Colgate University announced its selection of Ashley Bound ‘22 to serve as the Interim Director of Catholic Student Life in an email sent out to the Newman Catholic Community Tuesday, Feb. 17.
Bound will replace Colgate Chaplain and Catholic Campus Minister Mark Shiner, who will be on a leave of absence for much of the Spring 2026 semester. Bound’s first day in this role was Monday, Feb. 23.
Bound is a Colgate alumnus, former student president of the Newman Community and experienced faith-based volunteer and program organizer. Her experience also includes student and youth outreach. In her role as interim director, Bound will assist in advising and coordinating the Newman community events and weekly services.
The selection of an interim Director of Catholic Student Life is part of an effort by the administration to ensure support for Colgate’s Newman Catholic Community in Shiner’s absence.
Other resources that will remain available are regular Catholic masses held by the Rev. John Donovan; other Colgate Chaplains; and Newman Advisory Board members Sarah Sparber, team advisor at the Center for Outreach, Volunteerism, and Education (COVE), Professor of Philosophy David Dudrick and Professor of Philosophy Maura Tumulty.
Shiner’s absence and Bound’s hiring come amid faculty turnover in the Office of the Chaplains.
On Dec. 5, 2025, University Chaplain Corey Macpherson accepted a position as Director of the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Development at Penn State University after 10 years with Colgate.
Macpherson’s email announcement promised a national search for his replacement by Dean of Students Dorsey Spencer and the Protestant Campus Ministries Advisory Board. The search is ongoing — Macpherson’s wife, Edie Macpherson, currently serves as interim Protestant Minister.
