July 15, 2011 - Geneva College
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July 15, 2011

Picture of July 15, 2011
Neil Best
Neil Best 
Brian Jensen
Brian Jensen 

Geneva College welcomes a new face as well as a familiar one to roles of directors in the Office of Student Development. Neil Best is beginning as the Director of Residence Life and Brian Jensen is taking the role of Director of Student Leadership Development and Coordinator for Student Retention.

Neil Best is a new face to Geneva. He brings 11 years of experience in higher education to the director of residence life position. Best, who most recently served as the director of the center for campus connections at Palm Beach Atlantic University, sees the department of residence life as being “the stewards of community” at Geneva. He says, “Our job is to protect the Christ-centered community we have here at Geneva, and also help nourish it with the hope that it continues to be a vital part of campus.” Best emphasizes the importance of maintaining Geneva′s residential facilities and practicing redemptive personalized discipline.

Best served as a resident director for four years at Tabor College and also worked with student leaders at Palm Beach Atlantic for five years. His many different experiences in a higher education setting have prepared him for this new opportunity which he is excited about. He says, ““I look forward to embracing the Christian community at Geneva as both as a contributor and a recipient.” Best, his wife Susan, daughter Emma and new baby expected in August will be living in New Brighton.

Brian Jensen is not new to Geneva, having served as the Resident Director in Arms Men apartments for the past four years. He is stepping into the newly-created position of director of student leadership development and coordinator for student retention. The Office of Student Leadership Development has been created in order to reallocate the responsibilities of the Office for Student Programs and Leadership (SPL). The Office of Student Leadership Development will be in charge of Geneva College Student Union (GCSU), clubs, leadership initiatives for students and GC Life leadership development. The Office of Student Programs will be over intramurals, first year experience and orientation, and student activities.  These responsibilities have been divided in order to further expand the leadership opportunities for students and better prepare for activities on campus.

 Jensen says, “I am very excited to continue my work here at Geneva by moving into this role.  Leadership development with college students is a passion of mine, not only because I enjoy doing it, but because I also see its crucial importance in the transformation of society.  My hope is to continue doing my part to make Geneva a great place to work and learn by creating quality and enjoyable experiences for our students.” He is married to Sara and has two children, Toby and Zoe, with a third on the way this summer.

Geneva College is a comprehensive Christian college of the arts, sciences and professional studies. Founded in the tradition of the Reformed Christian faith, Geneva prepares students to serve Christ in all areas of society: work, family and the church. Geneva College′s philosophy of education is based on the Foundational Concepts of Christian Higher Education. Geneva is a founding member of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU).

Jul 15, 2011