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The Christian Student Leadership Collective (CSLC) began in January 2021 to fulfill a need of providing an opportunity for college student leaders to gather during the national pandemic when they could not attend local or national conferences. Since then, CSLC has had three national virtual conferences where students and professionals representing 20+ states, three countries, 50 universities have gathered to connect, share ideas and be encouraged by one another and incredible speakers. CSLC's goal is to provide an annual national virtual conference each Fall.
Our vision is for Christian college student leaders to come together virtually for these purposes:
Connect with one other and experience the value of networking with colleagues across the country and around the world.
Share practical ideas on how they are impacting their campuses for Christ in the respective roles they represent.
Feel inspired and motivated to continue being effective leaders both on their campuses and in their future roles beyond graduation.
CSLC began with three women who share the desire to impact college students for God's Kingdom work. They have seen the value of collaborating and connecting in their own professional life and hope to provide those same opportunities to Christian college students across the world.
Who We Are
Northwest University, WA
Northwest University, WA
Larissa Lilly is the Dean of Students at Northwest University. Her passion is to build community and help facilitate opportunities for students to find a place to belong at Northwest. She oversees residence life and housing, conduct, and student leadership. She loves working with a team of Area Coordinators and Resident Assistants to serve the residential students at NU! Larissa has been living intentional life with college students since 2009. Though originally from eastern Washington, Larissa has found this work has taken her all over the US, but was happy to move back to the PNW in 2016. Her top five strengths are Achiever, Responsibility, Activator, Developer and Restorative. She’s a strong Three on the Enneagram and loves talking with students about how their personalities and stories play out.
Crown College, MN
Crown College, MN
Martha Swift is the Vice President of Student Development at Crown College in Minnesota. She earned a Bachelor's Degree from Bethel University and a Master's of Education in College Student Affairs from Azusa Pacific University. She is passionate about mentoring students and loves seeing them be transformed through formative college experiences. Martha has 15 years of experience in higher education and values connections with colleagues in her role as the ACSD First Year Experience Collaborative Leader. As a Certified Personal Trainer, she also emphasizes and encourages students toward implementing a healthy lifestyle and total wellness. Her top five strengths are Achiever, Focus, Responsibility, Consistency, and Harmony.
Jessup University, CA
Jessup University, CA
Stephanie is the Director of Student Retention Systems and Programs. Developing and empowering students to lead, create, and produce in ways they didn't realize they could motivates her work in Higher Education. She loves encouraging and empowering students to innovate and bring their creations to life through Orientation and Student Success programs.
A native of southern California, Stephanie's college journey started as a student-athlete at her local CC, transferred to the Bay Area, and ultimately followed her alma mater's relocation to northern CA where she has since been involved at Jessup for over 20 years. Her top five strengths are Maximizer, Input, Relator, Adaptability, Learner. She is a 5w4 on the Enneagram and loves collecting information and using it to give students ideas for personal and professional growth in their student leadership roles.
Newberry College, SC
Newberry College, SC
Sarah Stoffel is the Director of Student Engagement and Leadership Development at Newberry College. She received her Bachelor's degree in Discipleship and Education Ministries from Simpson University and Master's of Higher Education from Abilene Christian University. Sarah entered into the field of higher education after developing a passion for college student development after holding several different student leadership positions herself as an undergrad. Currently, she oversees different facets of programming on her campus and loves seeing the diverse ideas that students bring to the table. Sarah is an Enneagram 7 and her top 5 strengths are Harmony, Arranger, Achiever, Relator, and Adaptability.
Northwest University, WA
Northwest University, WA
Alissa Vinje serves as the Area Coordinator at Northwest University and primarily oversees the first-year students. She is an NU alum from Mukilteo, WA. She received her BA in Educational Studies with an endorsement in Instructional Design and has faithfully served in Admissions as the Campus Visits and Events Coordinator before her time in Student Development. Alissa found her love for higher education and importance of developing the next generation through her two years as a Resident Assistant and her senior year as the SAB Student Director. She loves to find ways to celebrate, encourage, develop, and cheer on others in the big moments and in everyday life. She passionate about encouraging and developing students holistically. And to be a resource and advocate for students as they start exploring who they are called to be and what it means to be a faithful disciple of our Creator. Her top strengths are arranger, connectedness, developer, strategic and positivity.
Grove City College, PA
Grove City College, PA
Katie Van Dam is the Director of Student Engagement at Grove City College in Pennsylvania. She earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Crown College in Minnesota. Katie has worked in higher education for four years, three as a Resident Director and, most recently, her first year in student engagement. As a 2w3 on the Enneagram, she has a heart for students’ stories while challenging them in their next steps as leaders. As the founder of the Student Involvement Council (SIC) at Grove City College, she has built a team that has reimagined campus student activities in ways that engage students, and their organizations, to think creatively. From monthly movie and trivia nights to free bowling and activities done in partnership with student organizations and clubs on campus, SIC has promoted community amongst students who haven’t had spaces to do so before.
Shorter University, GA
Shorter University, GA
Billy Watson is the Director of Residence Life and Student Conduct at Shorter University. He received his bachelor’s degree from North Greenville University and his master’s degree in Higher Education from Clemson University. He is currently working toward obtaining an Ed.D at Union University with an anticipated graduation date of December 2027. He is passionate about building communities where students can grow and flourish during their college experience and he loves working with and leading his team of RAs and RDs.
Billy has lived on college campuses his entire life and has seen the great impact student leaders can have on fellow students; he seeks to help them grow and empower them to lead each other. Originally from South Carolina, he has found a home away from home in Georgia and enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids while he is not at work. When he manages (rarely!) to find a spare moment, you will probably find him reading or watching sports.
Lee University, TN
Lee University, TN
Rocky Walker serves as the Director of Residential Life & Housing at Lee University in Cleveland, TN. He discovered his passion for higher education as a Resident Assistant and later served in multiple roles at Southwest Baptist University, including Resident Director and Associate Director of Residence Life. Rocky holds an M.A. in Christian Ministry from Southwest Baptist University, an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Tiffin University, and is currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Leadership and Learning in Organizations at Vanderbilt University.
He is passionate about team-building, student leadership development, and creating formative learning experiences that prepare students for life beyond college. Rocky finds great joy in collaboration—especially working with peers to accomplish big-picture goals—and values the opportunity to learn alongside both coworkers and students. His top five CliftonStrengths are Analytical, Restorative, Learner, Responsibility, and Context, and he is a 1w9 on the Enneagram.
Bryan College, TN
Bryan College, TN
Alex Staup serves as the Director of Student Success at Bryan College, located in Dayton, TN. With background in student engagement, first-year experience, and residence life, Alex is passionate about walking alongside students throughout their college experience to help them co-author great stories with a loving God. Originally hailing from northwest Ohio, he has found a home as a southern transplant in southeast Tennessee and loves to enjoy the outdoors hiking.
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