Dr. Deborah Loers, Vice President for Student Life & Dean of Students, 319-352- 8745

Dr. Deborah Loers is  Vice President for Student Life & Dean of Students at Wartburg College.  She  serves on the College Strategic Planning Task Force and co-chairs the Student Development Plan committee with the chief Academic Affairs officer..  Loers is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with a Ph.D. in counseling psychology.  She holds the M.A. degree in French language and literature and is a licensed psychologist. Special interests are young adult development, women’s vocational development, organizational change and intercultural communication. Dr. Loers has been active in the ACE women’s advancement programs for a number of years.  She and her husband love to travel, read and enjoy a wide variety of food.

Wendy Mohlis, Administrative Assistant to the Vice President for Student Life
Wendy Mohlis has been with Wartburg College since August 2008. Wendy has her Associate in Arts degree in Business from Upper Iowa University and has worked in higher education for over 14 years. Wendy’s community involvement has included the Waterloo Jaycees, Past President of the Waterloo Women’s Police Auxiliary, and she enjoys serving at her local school and church activities. At Wartburg, Wendy is proud to be a host family for two Nigerian students and has participated as a service trip advisor to Kentucky and East St. Louis to help those less fortunate.

Wes Brooks, Associate Dean of Students/Director of Residential Life
Wes Brooks graduated from Grand View University with a B. A. in History and earned his M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Iowa State University. Wes has worked his entire professional career in Residential Life and has great passion for student engagement and development. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, exercising, and playing and watching sports.  

Leah Eilers '10, assistant director of residential life and residence hall director for the Manors and Knights Village, is originally from Gladbrook, IA. She recently completed a Master’s of Arts in Education degree in Postsecondary Education: Student Affairs at the University of Northern Iowa while working as the RHD for Grossmann, Löhe, and The Residence. Her BA degree from Wartburg is in history. Leah enjoys spending time with family, watching sports, and reading.

Derek Gainsforth, residence hall director for Clinton and Founders Halls comes to Wartburg after graduating from Central Michigan University where he earned a Bachelors of Science degree in History and Political Science with a minor in Anthropology. While at CMU, Derek held positions in Residence Life as a Resident Assistant and worked for CMU Summer Conferences. He was also involved in Student Government, Hall Council, and many other student organizations. Originally from Bay City, MI, Derek enjoys listening to music and watching movies with friends. In his free time he loves going to used bookstores, playing and watching sports, and talking politics and religion.

Cassandra Hales, residence hall director for Grossman, Lohe, and The Residence, is from Clare Michigan, a small town of about 2,000. She graduated from Lake Superior State University with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology-Social Services and an Associate’s degree in Social Work. Cassie has a competitive personality and loves sports, either watching or playing. She enjoys volunteer work and believes in helping others whenever possible. Cassie doesn’t like to have much downtime, but when she does, she enjoys reading or movies. She is very passionate about diversity. This next year she hopes to learn as much as she possibly can from her staff and bring changes to Wartburg that will benefit everyone for years to come. She believes strongly in building a community and hopes to build a strong one for her staff and residents this up coming year. She believes laughter is the best medicine and the best way to get anything done is to have fun doing it!

Kyle Anderson is the Residence Hall Director for Vollmer, Centennial, and Hebron Halls and comes to Wartburg after completing a Master of Science degree in College Student Personnel Services and Administration at the University of Central Arkansas.  Kyle did his undergraduate work at the University of Dubuque receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Graphics Interactive Media.  Originally from Spring Valley, MN, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, traveling, and running.

Ashley Lang, Director of Campus Programming
Ashley is from Jesup, Iowa and graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts in Textiles & Apparel and a Journalism minor and earned her Master of Science in Counseling & Student Personnel, College Student Affairs from Minnesota State University, Mankato. In her free time she likes to keep busy volunteering for her sorority, Gamma Phi Beta, spending time with friends and family, shopping, reading, exercising and watching movies. The Office of Campus Programming works with Entertainment ToKnight (ETK), coordinates Orientation and serves as a resources to all student organizations.

Krystal Madlock, Director of Student Diversity Programs
Krystal graduated from the University Of Northern Iowa with her BA degree in Communication Arts and Masters Degree in Postsecondary Education: Student Affairs.  She started at working at Wartburg in 1998 in the Office of Admissions as the Diversity Recruitment Coordinator and moved over to Student Life two years later.  In her free time, Krystal loves to spend time with her family and friends.  What keeps Krystal at Wartburg College…the STUDENTS!

Margaret Empie, Director of Dining Services
Margaret Empie holds a Ph.D. in Education from Iowa State University, an M.B.A. from the University of Northern Iowa, and B.S. degrees in both dietetics and food service administration from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Dr. Empie has served at Wartburg College since 2005 and previously worked at the University of Northern Iowa for over 20 years. The emphasis of her work throughout her career has been student development, strategic planning and streamlining systems, while developing and directing operations.

Jenna Rinehart, Director of International Student Programs
Jenna Rinehart, Director of International Student Services, joined the Student Life staff in June 2012.  Jenna graduated from Iowa State University with a BA in Asian Cultures and Marketing and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration.  She became interested in international education while studying abroad in Hangzhou, China and enjoys working with students from a variety of cultures and backgrounds.  Jenna provides advising services to Wartburg’s international student population and develops intercultural programming.  In her free time, she enjoys playing the piano, reading, and traveling to new places.Jenna can be reached by calling 352-8210.

John B. Myers, III, Director of Campus Security & Safety, is a graduate of The College of William & Mary in Virginia (BBA) and Troy State University (MSM).  Retired from the U.S. Army as a Military Police officer, he worked in security and operations in the shopping center industry (The Rouse Company) for three years before coming to Wartburg College in 1997. He is active in a local Lions Club and enjoys running, hiking, bicycling and railroad history as hobbies.

Janet Huebner, Director of the Wartburg Bookstore

Janet Huebner graduated with a BA from Wartburg College in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management.  She has previously worked in leadership positions in shared service environments at CUNA Mutual and most recently, Pitney Bowes Management Services.  She is active in her church and community as a Board member for RTC Communications, Readlyn Community Foundation and Community Lutheran School.   Janet enjoys spending time with her family, reading and gardening.

Kristen Briner, Director of the Saemann Student Center
Kristen Briner holds a B.A. in Education from the University of Iowa and an M.S. in Sociology from Central Missouri State University.  She has previously worked in leadership and management positions for the United Methodist Church, Audubon Nature Institute, Huntington and Sylvan Learning Centers, and Bright Horizons Family Solutions.  Kristen has enjoyed living in different places around the country and is happy to have returned to her native Iowa.

Jean Buckingham '82, Event and Scheduling Coordinator
She is a 1982 Wartburg grad with degrees in computer science/math and business administration.  After a few years at Lutheran Mutual/CUNA Mutual working in IT, Jean spent 24 years as a full-time mom and volunteer before joining the Wartburg staff in September of 2008.  She enjoys spending time with her husband and children and has spent countless hours attending their activities.

COUNSELING SERVICES

Stephanie Newsom, Director of Counseling Services
Stephanie Newsom holds an MA in Counseling from UNI and a BA in Psychology from Central College.  She is a licensed mental health counselor and National Board Certified Counselor.    Stephanie has been the Director of Counseling Services since 1999.  She serves as the advisor to the Sexual Misconduct and Assault Resource Team (SMART) and is the liaison between the College and the Noah Campus Health Clinic.  She is a past board member of the Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association. She enjoys spending time with her husband and their three sons, as well as playing tennis and exercising.