Get to Know our Life Directions Center Team
Jason Shipman
Director of life directions center
Jason Shipman joined the LDC team in 2022 after serving at Life Pacific University for 14 years and in pastoral ministry for 25 years. His passion is to create learning environments where students can identify their calling, strengths, and gifts and put them into practice to succeed educationally and develop practical skills to be effective in the marketplace and ministry. Jason possesses two Bachelor's degrees in Engineering and Theology and a Master's degree in Education in College Student Affairs. When you see Jason off campus, he typically has a fly rod or volleyball in his hands and loves spending quality time with his wonderful wife, Amy, and his three children Olivia, Selah, and Gabriel.
Kayla Duley
Assistant Director of Life Directions Center
Kayla Duley joined the LDC team in 2017. She graduated from CCU with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Interpersonal Communication. After graduating, Duley completed her Master of Science in Counseling/School Counseling. She has enjoyed working with students ranging from middle school through college and the adult students at CCU in her past role as a student service advisor for the College of Adult and Graduate Studies. Duley has supported students in a variety of roles in the Life Directions Center. She brings a passion for helping students develop their strengths and explore their life calling. Duley enjoys spending time with her husband, dog, family and friends, exploring Colorado.
Crystal Rants
Coordinator of Life Dirictions Center
Crystal Rants has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and 20 years of experience in the field of Christian Education. Prior to joining the team at CCU, she served as a Director and as a Support Representative with Classical Conversations in Miami, Colorado Springs, and the Denver area. For much of that time she also served as a military spouse. Her heart for equipping and encouraging students led to establishing and running a tutoring service for six years, focusing on the areas of high school mathematics and Spanish. Crystal is a certified PraiseMoves instructor, sharing her love for the Word of God in classes with students across the United States. Her primary work in the LDC is to act as the liaison for new student registration and to oversee Student Staff development. In her spare time, she loves to read and create beautiful things, including cards and quilts.
Andrew Wilson
Life Directions Academic Advisor
Andrew Wilson graduated with his BA in Theatre from Anderson University in South Carolina, and graduated with his Master of Fine Arts Degree from Regent University. He has performed in Stage, Television, and Film all across the country. One of his most recent roles was the show Turtle Talk with Crush at Disneyland in California! Before joining the LDC he worked as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre at East Texas Baptist University alongside his wife Natalie. He loves working with students and helping them navigate their spiritual calling and college experience. He enjoys going on adventures with his wife and two dogs, Clemson football, disc golf, performing in shows, and going to see concerts and movies.
Dawn Schmidli
Life Directions Nursing Advisor
Dawn Schmidli holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Oklahoma Christian University and a master's degree in professional counseling from Oklahoma City University. She is a wife, mom, and counselor and has worked in a variety of settings as a Licensed Professional Counselor. She also served as a classroom tutor and a director in the Denver Classical Conversations community through many years of homeschooling. Dawn enjoys incorporating her education and life experiences into her position with the LDC team advising nursing students.
Kristine Hunerwadel
Life Directions Academic Advisor and Undeclared Student Services Coordinator
Kristine Hunerwadel has over 12 years of experience working with both graduate students and undergraduate students. She joined the LDC team in the Fall of 2018, and she loves getting to walk alongside CCU students as they think about their interests, values, skills, giftings, callings, stations, and goals, particularly as those relate to exploring or pursuing specific academic programs at CCU. Her educational background is in pediatric medicine, but an unexpected job change resulted in her discovering a love for students and the academic environment, and she’s been working with students in academic settings ever since! She has a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Malone College and a Child Health Associate/Physician Assistant master's degree from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.
Kristin Wright
Life Directions Academic Advisor and Ministry Hours Coordinator
Kristin Wright has a heart for helping students and has served in various roles and capacities at CCU, including in the Student Life Office, Admissions, and now the Life Directions Center. Wright brings a passion for supporting students in their life journey and many years of experience working with young adults. She earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Wheaton College and a master's degree in College Student Affairs from Azusa Pacific University, and she has spent many summers on staff at Christian camps. Wright has discipled young people as a Young Life leader and a church youth group leader. She met her husband working at a Christian summer camp, and they now both enjoy the ministry of raising their two daughters. In her spare time, Wright can be found enjoying coffee and meals with family and friends, walking her dog Max, and singing (mostly in the car).
Mike Finnefrock
Life Directions Academic Advisor
Mike Finnefrock has spent his entire career working with students. He displays a passion for seeing students maximize their God-given potential. He holds a bachelor's and master's degree in Special Education both from the University of Northern Colorado. He also has studied at the graduate level at Denver University, obtaining his principal's license in the state of Colorado. He loves most of all, spending time with his wife, three sons, daughters-in-law, and of course, his grandchildren. Outside of that, he loves doing anything outdoors.
Hank Shuler
Life Directions Academic Advisor
Hank earned his bachelor’s degree in management information systems from Olivet Nazarene University where he met his wife, Hayley. Hank is currently pursuing a master’s in clinical mental health counseling at CCU with a focus in marriage and family therapy. Hank’s three years as a residential advisor at Olivet ignited his passion for higher education, mentoring, and student development. He loves guiding students in the topic of Life Calling, meaning, and matching one’s puzzle piece with the correct space. Alongside equipping students in his academic advisory role, Shuler enjoys shooting photography with his wife, backpacking, all things soccer, China, medieval combat sports, and playing guitar.
Rachel Urban
Life Directions Academic Advisor and International Student Services Coordinator
Rachel Urban is an LDC Advisor and also serves as CCU's international student services coordinator. She's a CCU alum and holds a bachelor's degree in Theology and a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction. She's passionate about the journey college students encounter as they're developing professionally, personally, and spiritually. In her free time, Urban enjoys reading, biking, baking, and playing in the University's handbell choir.
Julia Bakker
Life Directions Advisor and Study Abroad Coordinator
Julia Bakker graduated from Dordt University with a bachelor's degree in Education and a master's degree in Sports Leadership. Julia coached volleyball at Dordt while completing her Master's degree. During that time, she treasured working with her teams through the peaks and valleys of their college experiences on and off the court. Most recently, Julia worked as an Advisor with the College of Adult and Graduate Studies at CCU. She enjoys walking alongside students and getting to know their goals and passions. Julia is excited to see students develop a deep understanding of God's love and grace in their lives. In her spare time, she is often outside hiking, camping, and playing volleyball with her husband and friends.
Catherine Holmes
Life Directions Academic Advisor
Catherine Holmes joined the LDC team in October, 2023. She is a Colorado native and an alumna of CCU, who transferred to CCU halfway through her sophomore year of college. Catherine’s deep appreciation for CCU’s respect for Scripture, love for God, and how natural it is to foster community here prompted her to come to CCU. It is God’s work in her heart over those years that prepared her to transfer, and His Word continues to serve as her motivation. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Catherine worked at the Eating Recovery Center of Denver for several years. She is excited to equip and support students as they make the most of their time at CCU. Outside of work, you will catch her listening to country music, playing any sport, and hanging out with her younger siblings. Fun fact: Catherine is fluent in Spanish!
Cody Hawley
Life Directions Academic Advisor
Cody Hawley graduated from CCU with a BA in Theology and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Theology through CAGS. Cody has a passion to serve college students and help them discern God’s calling on their lives. He has also been involved in a variety of local and international ministries and met His wife while studying abroad in Germany. In his free time, Cody loves to hunt, fish, hike, and do pretty much anything outdoors.
Elita Hester
Student Success service Coordinator
Elita Hester has a heart for neurodiversity and has served in various roles and capacities in this field. She is a CCU alum and holds a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management and Christian Leadership. She is passionate about serving others and allowing God to use her voice for those who do not always have or feel empowered to use their voice. She spends her free time busy with her husband, eight children and three grandchildren. She also enjoys singing, dancing and worshiping God.
Katie Jensen
Graduate Assistant for Student Success Services
Katie Jensen has a Bachelor's degree in Animal Science and worked for two years in a veterinary office. She is currently in the CCU Clinical Counseling Master's program pursuing a degree in counseling with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. Katie loves kids and has a passion for helping others. Besides going to the beach every chance she gets, Katie loves to ride horses and dance, especially ballet.