Meet Benjamin Schmidt: The Wesley Center Program Assistant

By Ben Schmidt

Benjamin Schmidt is the new Wesley Center Program Assistant, joining in November 2025. In this role, Ben supports McVay Youth Partnership and the Food Resource Center, and contributes to other Wesley Center programs, such as Multi-Faith Alliance.

In his role as Wesley Center Program Assistant, Ben hopes to bring meaningful support to the various programs at Wesley Center, whether that is ensuring youth at McVay are getting help with their homework or adjusting bulk orders at the FRC based on students’ needs and wants. Above all, he hopes to be a dependable member of the community. Ben decided to pursue the role of Program Assistant because he felt that it aligned with his own personal aspirations and vocational goals. To him, being the Program Assistant isn’t just institutional support, but the support and care of many different types of people, including university students, youth, or other community members, in both big and small ways. Ben is excited to keep growing into this role because there is so much to learn and a lot to be done.

Ben is a recent graduate of Hamline University, having earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing in May of 2025, along with minors in English and Anthropology. As a student, he enjoyed pestering his professors and mentors during their office hours over various academic and creative interests and pursuits. A highlight from his time as a Hamline University student was the opportunity to go on a study away trip to Cambodia led by the Anthropology Department. There he wandered ancient temples, explored different traditions, ate delicious food, and made inspirational connections with other people.

Outside of his role at Wesley Center, Ben is an avid reader and fervent writer. He enjoys reading fiction and academic texts while also working on writing projects on the side. He gets together with his writing friends where they yap away at various coffee shops across the twin cities and occasionally actually get some writing done. Ben also spends a significant amount of time at Chùa Phật Ân, a Vietnamese Buddhist Temple in Roseville. As for pets, Ben’s family currently has three cats and a leopard gecko.