Bethany College has named Melissa Woeppel as its new Dean of Spiritual Life and Campus Pastor, expanding her leadership role in guiding the college’s spiritual life and mission-centered student experience. This is a new position created to address the College’s commitment and vision for fostering whole-person development, strengthening spiritual engagement across campus, and further integrating faith, learning, leadership, and service into the student experience.
Woeppel, a 2015 Bethany graduate, has served as Campus Pastor for three years and will continue leading worship, spiritual programming, and faith-centered engagement opportunities while taking on broader leadership responsibilities connected to the college’s mission and student formation. In this expanded position, she will help further integrate faith, learning, and purpose across the Bethany College experience.
“I’m excited to step into this expanded role, continuing to create space where students can ask big questions about meaning and purpose, where possibilities can be explored with courage and curiosity,” said Woeppel. “This is what Lutheran higher education has always been about. Jesus taught by asking, listening, challenging assumptions, and inviting people to see the world differently. That’s the model we follow at Bethany. Here, faith and learning begin with honest questions. Here, curiosity and spirituality belong together. Here, our mission is about forming whole people who can live meaningful lives of service, wherever that leads them.”
“Melissa has consistently demonstrated a passion for students and a deep commitment to Bethany College’s mission,” said President Laura Crawley. “Her leadership has already had a meaningful impact on our campus community, and this expanded role recognizes the important work she continues to do in helping students grow academically, spiritually, and personally,” said Crawley.
