Reverend Blane Young became the director of American University Chi Alpha in 2014. He completed an internship (Campus Missionary in Training) with AU Chi Alpha in the 2011-2012 and is a credentialed minister with the Assemblies of God. Blane’s main roles include preaching, teaching, and mentoring / counseling students, all while overseeing the ministry. Before coming to Washington, DC, Blane worked on staff at Family Life Church in Brunswick, GA. He graduated in 2009 from the University of Alabama where he was a National Hispanic Scholar and received a B.A. in religious studies and minored in computer science technology and applications. He also served as student director of Alabama Chi Alpha with his now wife, Hannah. He is an active member in National Community Church and involved heavily in ministry there.

Blane and his wife, Hannah, have a toddler son, Jeremiah, and live in Northwest DC. Blane enjoys finding new podcasts to listen to and sharing them with his son, drinking and making coffee, and discovering the latest technology trends.

Note: During Academic Year 2017-2018, he’ll be off-campus itinerating and pursuing a process within AGUSM and Chi Alpha called National Appointment. He plans to return and resume his role in Fall 2018.

AU Phone: x3476
Email: blane@american.edu

Reverend Natalie Hill is originally from Buffalo, NY and graduated from American University in 2013 with a B.A. in anthropology. She did an internship (Campus Missionary in Training) with Chi Alpha Campus Ministries at AU in the 2013-2014 school year and came on staff as a Missionary Associate after that. She is a worship leader and is passionate about finding ways to bring art and faith together, specifically through music. She is a certified minister with the Assemblies of God and is also involved in preaching, teaching, and mentoring students. Natalie is also a worship leader at National Community Church and involved in ministry there as well, specifically at the Georgetown campus.

Outside of ministry, Natalie can be found writing songs, reading Steinbeck, drinking coffee, and (unfortunately) cheering for the Buffalo Bills.

Note: During Academic Year 2017-2018, she’ll be serving as the Interim Co-Director for Chi Alpha alongside Josh Jones.

Reverend Josh Jones joined the staff of American University Chi Alpha in the fall of 2015, alongside his wife, Brittney. With a Bachelor's degree in Ministry Leadership from Toccoa Falls College in Toccoa Falls, GA (’12) and a graduate degree in Theological Studies from Columbia International University in Columbia, SC (’14), Josh is passionate about equipping college students to learn more and lead others well. He is specifically interested in doctrine and theology and often teaches seminars within Chi Alpha on these topics. His roles include teaching, preaching, and production and tech, and he is credentialed with the Assemblies of God.

Josh is originally from South Georgia, and he and his wife have a baby girl, Evie Joy. In his off time, Josh enjoys reading, playing video games, and finding the best sources of caffeine.

Note: During Academic Year 2017-2018, he’ll be serving as the Interim Co-Director for Chi Alpha alongside Natalie Hill.

Brittney Jones graduated from Toccoa Falls College in 2013 with a degree in cross-cultural studies. She and her husband, Josh, joined the AU Chi Alpha staff in the fall of 2015 after growing up outside Atlanta, GA. Brittney is the director of the international student ministry with Chi Alpha and is passionate about reaching out to international students. She also teaches a Chi Alpha course for students on the basics of Christianity. Outside of teaching and ministering to international students, Brittney is involved with mentoring women and counseling students.

Brittney currently works part-time with Chi Alpha in order to stay home part-time with their daughter, Evie Joy. She enjoys apartment therapy and hosting people in her home.

AU Phone: x3329
Personal Phone: (240) 595-2127
Email: adrienn@american.edu

Adrien N. Ngudiankama is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He was ordained by the London Baptist Association and the Baptist Union of Great Britain at Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church in London in 1994. He has a Philosophia Masters in Systematic Theology from King’s College and a PhD in Health Education and Health Promotion from the Institute of Education, London University. He did his Post-doctoral research in anthropology and sociology of religion at the University of Kansas and Princeton University. His interests are in global mission, pastoral counseling, conflict resolution, health promotion, migration, and conflict resolution as related to Africa and the African migrant contexts. He taught sociology and anthropology at Bowie States University, Georges Washington University and the University of Kansas.

Adrien works as the Faith-Based Project Manager with the American Cancer Society. He is a member of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors and of the African Association of Pastoral Care and Counseling. He has been appointed as a regular member for the Baptist World Alliance Commission on Peace. He is also pastor with Salem Gospel Ministries, a church affiliated to the District of Columbia Baptist Convention and the Baptist Convention of Maryland and Delaware.

AU Phone: x3294
Email: priest@american.edu

Father Carlos B. Quijano, O.P. was born in New York City in 1962 and grew up in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC, where most of his family still lives. He received a degree in Civil Engineering from the Ecole Polytechnique Federale in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1987 and worked several years as an engineer at several consulting firms in the Washington area. In 1995, he entered the Order of Preachers (the Dominican Fathers). Receiving his Master of Divinity from the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC, in 2001, Fr. Quijano was ordained to the priesthood in 2002. From 2003 to 2010, Fr. Carlos was assigned to St Catherine of Siena Church in New York City where he served as the Coordinator of Catholic Chaplaincy for the New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Cornell Medical Center as well as the Assistant Catholic Chaplain at Memorial Sloane Kettering Center for Cancer and the New York Hospital for Special Surgery. From 2010 t0 2012, he was assigned to Ss. Philip & James Church in Baltimore, MD, to serve as the Assistant Catholic Chaplain at Johns Hopkins University. Fr. Quijano is now at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington and serves as the Catholic Chaplain at American University.

AU Phone: x3326
Personal Phone: (202) 364-8785
Email: thornton@american.edu

Karin Thornton was born in Berlin, Germany and attended schools in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. after completing the Swiss High School Matura, she studied at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in German Literature. Following a year of studies in Germany, in Cologne and Tuebingen, she was admitted to the Graduate School of Columbia University where she completed her studies with a Ph.D. She also holds a certificate in Pastoral Ministry, "Education for Parish Service" from Trinity College in Washington, D.C.

Karin Thornton has one daughter and two sons. She recently celebrated her 25th anniversary of being the Associate Catholic Chaplain at American University. During her first year of Studies in "Education for Parish Service" she was asked to be a team member on the ECHO - Encountering Christ in Others - retreat at American University. She was subsequently asked and happily accepted to be the Associate Catholic Chaplain. She is a "Lady Commander of the Holy Sepulchre" and the recipient of the "Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice" award, the highest award a lay person can receive from the Pope, by Pope John Paul II. Karin finds it a great joy and a privilege to be a part of a vibrant Catholic Community at American University.

AU Phone: x3326

Email: hegarty@american.edu

Grace Hegarty is the Catholic Campus Minister at AU and is very excited for this mission! She fell in love with campus ministry during her undergraduate career at University of Maryland (Go Terps!) where she was very involved at the Catholic Student Center. She attained a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in English Language and Literature and Political Science. She has a history of working with the federal government, and other churches/ministries in the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, which all have led her here to AU. In addition to her career, Grace enjoys talking, laughing, camping, kayaking, reading Shakespeare, and listening to Mumford & Sons. She loves talking with students, so feel free to email her at hegarty@american.edu!

AU Phone: x2442
Email: hogan@american.edu

 

AU Phone: x3329
Personal Phone: (301) 585-2063
Email: cseaton14@gmail.com

Carolyn Seaton has served as Episcopal-Anglican Chaplain at the Kay Center since 2002. She loves every minute of her time there, because the Kay students and staff are vitally involved in strengthening their connections to their own faith traditions while learning about others and working together for the greater good of the AU community, as well as the world outside its gates. She has a B.A. in Literature, a Master's degree in Mental Health from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and currently studies at Wesley Theological Seminary next door.

She has worked as a writer, teacher, and counselor, particularly with high school and college students, most recently at George Washington University, the College Preparatory program at Georgetown University, and as a tutor in private practice. She is a member of St. Alban's Episcopal Church in D.C., is married, and has two daughters in college. She travels anytime she can, loves visiting new cities, reading international fiction, discussing theology, and music of many varieties.

AU Phone: x3329
Personal Phone: (202) 448-3399
Email: Cottleml@ldschurch.org

AU Phone: x3329
Personal Phone: (202) 966-5489
Email: tomholt@stpaulslutherandc.com

Tom is a native New Yorker who served a congregation in Brooklyn, NY for nine years, and is now serving his twenty-eighth year as the pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church at 4900 Connecticut Avenue NW. He is the part-time Lutheran chaplain at American University, and has served in that capacity for about thirteen years. In his own words "what a joy, and a challenge it continues to be to care for my own congregation, and to reach out to the wonderful students at AU with the Good News of the Gospel as well."

He remains a die-hard Yankees and Giants fan. He is married to Barbara and has one adult son and a golden retriever. He loves sports, good restaurants, and their house at Deep Creek Lake, MD.

E-mail: owen.beightol@campusoutreach.org

E-mail: sara.beightol@campusoutreach.org 

E-mail: paul.billings@campusoutreach

Moses is a native of Maryland and graduated from the University of Maryland College Park (B.S.) and Westminster Theological Seminary (M.Div.). He's currently finishing his Master of Theology in historical and theological studies focusing on North Korean cinematography. He's also ordained for ministry by the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and currently serves out of the Redeemer Church of Arlington, VA.

He and his wife, Rachel (SIS MA '17), love hosting students at their apartment, discussing nerdy topics, going on walks with their dog, and dreaming about serving North Koreans one day.

E-mail: mlee922@gmail.com

AU Phone: x3329
Personal Phone: (202) 546-3326
Email: koffner@verizon.net

Kevin Offner has been on staff with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship for 27 years, serving at Harvard University, M.I.T, and Brown University, and currently at five universities in the Greater Washington, DC area. He is also working on his Ph.D at The Catholic University of America, focusing on the Early Church Fathers. He has been involved in many Catholic-Protestant dialogues and is writing his doctoral dissertation on Saint Augustine, showing how both Catholics and Protestants have drawn deeply from this man's writings.

Kevin has been married to Amy for 16 years and they have a six year old son, David. Kevin currently serves as an elder in the PCA (Presbyterian Church in America), at Grace Presbyterian Church, which meets in Chinatown in Washington, DC. The Offners live on Capitol Hill and enjoy exercising their gifts of hospitality with the students to whom they minister.

E-mail: jon.paramore@intervarsity.org

Email: andrew.powars@uscm.org

Phone: (571) 425-8605

E-mail: karlayne.powars@cru.org 

AU Phone: x3329
Personal Phone: (301) 805-5627
Email: sledgenote@aol.com

Sylstea C. Sledge, music educator and composer, is a native of Washington, DC. He is the only son of proud parents, Tammah L. Sledge and the late Sylister Sledge. The musical talents of playing the piano and making up songs were discovered very early when Sylstea would visit his Uncle Elisha’s and Aunt Emma’s house and play on their old up-right piano. His musical talents were also nurtured in the Sunday School Department at the Trinidad Baptist Church and the Guiding Star Baptist Church. While continuing to build a stronger musical foundation, blessed teachers: Rev. Rosalynd Reed-Walker, Professor Bernard Barbour, Mrs. Beatrice Gilkes and Dr. Raymond Jackson were among the first inspiring mentors.

Professionally, Sylstea holds a Bachelor of Science from Hampton University and a Master’s of Music Education from the University of Arkansas. He is a former music teacher of the Prince George’s County Public School System, Adjunct Professor at American University-Gospel Choir, full-time Minister of Music at the First Mount Zion Baptist Church in Dumfries, Virginia, Member of the Gospel Music Workshop of America.

E-mail: lturner@gracecovdc.org

Off-Campus Phone: (301)-254-1903
E-Mail: vanegas@american.edu or rich@gracecovdc.org

Email: dimitri@american.edu

AU Phone: x3329
Email: qfox@american.edu

Quinn Fox grew up in the Chicago area and attended Colorado College, where he majored in history and played on a nationally-ranked Division III football team; during his college years he was active in Young Life leadership. Upon graduation he spent 8 months in the Philippines with Young Life before enrolling at Fuller Theological Seminary. After four years of study—with a 15-month stint directing the high school ministry at 1st Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs—he received the M.Div. and M.A. degrees. He was ordained as Associate Chaplain at Whitworth College (Spokane, WA) a Presbyterian school, where he served four years. From there Quinn pursued his graduate education, earning a Th.M. from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University in the History of Christian Thought.

Quinn has served churches in Southern California, Washington State, Texas and Colorado. As Associate Pastor for Adult Education at 1st Presbyterian Colorado Springs he directed one of the largest adult education programs in the Presbyterian Church (USA). He was invited to join the denomination’s Office of Theology and Worship in 2007 to direct a Lilly Endowment-funded program for new pastors; he contributed to the denomination’s report on Christian-Muslim relations to the General Assembly in 2010. In 2011 Quinn moved to Washington to become the Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Christian Formation at National Presbyterian Church (4101 Nebraska Ave., NW). Quinn taught as an adjunct professor for Fuller Seminary’s Colorado Springs Campus from 1997 to 2012 (church history, historical and systematic theology, homiletics and Presbyterian polity); in 2011 he was Visiting Professor of Church History at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo, Egypt.

In addition to his responsibilities at National Presbyterian Church he serves as an Associate Director for the Center for Catholic and Evangelical Theology and is active in the National Capital Presbytery. He regularly teaches Bible classes and leads a weekly book discussion group at National Presbyterian. He is particularly interested in the intersection of faith and popular culture, and has taught classes on “The Gospel According to Downton Abbey” and “Looking for God in a Galaxy Far, Far Away.”

Quinn enjoys books and reading, great movies and films, and a wide variety of foods (and travel to their country of origin); he wishes there was more time to write. He likes all kinds of exercise, but would rather hike in the Rocky Mountains than shovel snow off his driveway in Bethesda! Quinn has been married to Nancy for over 36 years; they have two adult children in their 20’s.

AU Phone: x3304
Personal Phone:
Email: joeyh@american.edu

Rev. Joey Heath is the United Methodist Chaplain at American University. He was raised in southern Georgia and attended college at Valdosta State University, majoring in political science. After changing a previous plan to attend law school, he spent several years working a variety of jobs from camp counselor to working on cruise ships. In 2008 he felt God leading him to be a part of being change in the church as a pastor. In response he enrolled at Wesley Theological Seminary and began a Master of Divinity degree. In 2012 Joey graduated and began his first appointment at Stone Chapel UMC in New Windsor, MD. This was followed by three years at Silver Spring UMC as the associate pastor. Joey’s passion in ministry is to see life changing transformation in the world and to be the church where all are welcomed and embraced for exactly who God has created each one to be.