Find a mentor

Carol Harrison

I have a degree in elementary education and taught school for more than years until the birth of my first son. As a stay-at-home mom, I worked part-time teaching piano lessons, playing piano for the local Baptist church and for two years worked as an image consultant.

Then in a dramatic change, I moved into the financial services arena and worked as a consultant. I felt called to something different and worked for several months as a church secretary until my true calling opened up as Circulation Manager at McKee Library where I have worked for 20 years and found my greatest satisfaction and fulfillment and opportunity for personal growth.

What I love most about Jesus is that He has given me eternal life and He has always given me unconditional love and support even when I have walked away from His will for my life.

Stephanie Guster

"I identify as a global citizen. I have lived abroad as an international exchange student and have traveled to 23 countries (thus far) engaged in international mission work.I am married to J. M. Guster III and we are the joyful parents of J. L. Guster. While I have many hobbies, a couple of my favorites include: vegan cooking & baking, singing, and sports. I am passionate about racial unity, biblical justice and the message of Revelation 7:9-10."

I love the Jesus is the only person who can know us completely and yet love is fully. I love that He is real, He is relevant and He is relational.

Krystal Bishop

I know and love God. My relationship with my three Friends in heaven is vibrant, authentic, and always growing. There have been many really tough times in my life but through each one God was present and enabled me to become stronger to meet the next challenges. I shares freely from a heart full of peace, joy, and strength that has come from encountering God through the hard times and the easy times.

What I love most about Jesus is that He spent so much time teaching what it means to be like God. There are so many of his words in the New Testament and I am learning daily from His words what God is like and how I can become more like Him.

Donnita Burgoyne

Raised by two passionate Adventist educators, I have been instilled with a passion for Adventist education and mentoring students who have a desire for a closer walk with Jesus. I enjoyed mission service for 3 years in the Marshall Islands and taught 34 little 2nd graders while serving there. This experience revealed a deep passion for sharing Jesus with youth.

My husband Brett and I have been married 7 years and live in the Ooltewah area only 5 minutes from SAU.

What I love most about Jesus is His patience, kindness and mercy toward a struggling sinner that desires to follow Him.

Brandon Dorn

I am a kind-hearted person who has a passion for ministry. I am someone who is seeking to learn more and more about Jesus and grow overall as an individual. I seek to be used by God in any way that He sees fit. I want to play a role in the church and be a part of the movement to bring other individuals to Christ.

What I love most about Jesus is how exceedingly loving and faithful He is. He never wastes our pain and He uses the difficult moments in our lives to help strengthen our characters and help us to be more effective witnesses for Him.

Sandra Araujo Delgado

I am passionate about walking with Jesus in practical ways. I have worked with young people for years and have a burden for giving them opportunities to discover Jesus for themselves.

What I love most about Jesus is that he knows me and comes close to me no matter where I am.

Tammy Overstreet

I have a passion for education and a love for Jesus and young people. I want to make a difference in this world--one person at a time. I have a family that I love with all my heart, and spending time with them is very important to me. I have a church that I love and support and am so glad I've found a home there. I want to help others know that a church exists where they can come as they are and be loved.

What I love most about Jesus is His love for me and all of this world's sinners... His glorious grace... The way He chases after us longing to have a relationship with us... He's my Friend.

Alan Parker

I am a nobody telling everybody about Somebody.

What I love most about Jesus is that He cared deeply for the most vulnerable, dared to confront injustice, and loved us enough to die for our deepest sins. He had a passion for the underdog, the lost, the poor, the broken and the discouraged. He inspires me to that kind of practical and relational holiness.

Dennisse Blood

I am committed to my faith and values. I am kind and compassionate, especially passionate about sharing God's love with youth and those I come in contact with, through acts of kindness or worship opportunities.

What I love most about Jesus is His mercy and love for us!

Shana Fairchild

I am someone who loves Jesus and wants to follow Him every day of my life. I am indebted to His grace and want to show His love toward others. I enjoy getting outdoors and into nature (hiking, camping, etc.) where I feels closer to God. I love my family, my two dogs, reading, baking, painting, and watching movies.

What I love most about Jesus is that He's my best friend, my savior, and my God. I can fully trust and rely on Him. I've let Him down many times, but His overwhelming love has never failed; He's always picked me back up and given me the strength to try again. I've seen Him lead and pour out so many blessings throughout my short life, and my heart is so just grateful for His love, His guidance, and how He is continually working on growing me.

Janice Cosme

I am a bubbly, outgoing person who loves the Lord and wants to serve Him.

What I love most about Jesus is His unconditional love for me.

Arthur Pangemanan

I have a big heart who desires to be present for people when they are going through tough times. I seek to be a good listener and journey well with people in their best and worst of times.

What I love most about Jesus is how He is the closest to me when I struggle or going through tough time.

Raul Rivero

I am passionate about introducing people to Jesus. All that I do and everywhere I go, I look for opportunities to invite people to know my best friend and Savior.

What I love most about Jesus is His amazing grace.

Shaina Mercer

I love meeting new people and have a wide variety of hobbies and interests. I am passionate about helping students find their calling and have been involved with various ministries and student-led groups/organizations from my time as a student at Southern.

What I love most about Jesus is Knowing that as long as my heart is beating, He has a purpose for me.

Regina Bailey

I raised two beautiful daughters and now have 4 grandchildren. I am a follower of Jesus Christ! I have been a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church all my life. I worked previously for McKee Bakery 17 years and had to leave because my oldest daughter had a virus attack her brain when she was 10 and I had to take care of her full-time until she was able to function as she had before.

Now, as I work at Southern, I love my job and feel that God has placed me here for a reason. I enjoy working with students and encouraging them to do better.

What I love most about Jesus is that He is my Savior and best Friend! He is the one I go to everyday to help me with anything and everything.

Beckie Retzer

I have a passion for health promotion and lifestyle medicine. I am married with 4 grown children and 6 grandchildren between me and my husband. I love being in nature, gardening, reading mission books and church history, sewing and cooking.

What I love most about Jesus is that He is faithful and personal. He knows me best and has never failed me. He continues to open new glimpses of His love and goodness to me.

Cynthia Wright

I am a very outgoing, devoted and energetic person who is young at heart and I have a passion for guiding young adults.

I love how forgiving He is, how He gives us new mercy every morning and how patient He is with a sinner such as myself.

Michael Rumsey

When I am not at work in the Student Finance office at Southern, I am either driving my kids (aged 6, 4, and 2) back and forth from daycare/school or at home playing zookeeper to them. I am flanked by my wife, Cari, who works as a Labor & Delivery Nurse. In my limited free time I enjoy watching football, reading, and playing with LEGOs.

I love that Jesus sought out individuals who "the world" declared unfit for His love.

Tisha Looby

I am an extroverted introvert. I have three rambunctious children. I am a dean in the residence hall. My husband and I run a financial services business, and farm that is currently growing my character. I have made a lot of mistakes and I don't have all the answers but I am learning to trust in the God that does.

I love that Jesus cares about the "little things."

David Nelsen

I am a Biology professor at Southern. I study spiders and scorpions

I love that He does, and is, what He invites us to be. He leads by example.

Krystal Bishop

I am a committed woman. I live my life richly and share that richness with others. I radiate strength, hope, commitment, and joy in spite of life experiences that inflicted deep pain. I am connected with God and want to connect with others who seek Him.

I love that He is the great I AM. Because He is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient He is fully involved in every aspect of every individual.

Tina Smith

I am a professional writer and communicator who loves organizing, boating, reading, and watching movies. My husband, Bo, and I have been married for more than 30 years and have just become empty-nesters with two young adults in college. I am currently pursuing a master's degree in biblical counseling and praise Jesus for being a God who longs for a relationship with me.

I love His ability to handle every interaction appropriately, knowing what to say and when to keep silent as well as "speaking" volumes without any words.

Cheryl Craven

I am someone who knows no strangers. I love to meet new people and learning their story. I especially like to talk with them about my best friend, Jesus.

I love that He is the God of adventure. I love to see where He shows up in my day and invites me to join Him in blessing the lives of others.

Polina Kadatska

I love people from all walks of life!

I love that He is my Savior, Father, and a True Friend.

Cristy Pratt

I am a passionate and energetic individual who loves to be around young adults and get to know their stories. My husband and I have two young boys that keep us active and busy. My spiritual walk for God has grown over the years as I’ve become willing to listen and see how wonderful his love for me really is.

I love that no matter how many times I have failed him he’s always there for me.

Adrienne Royo

I am passionate about languages. I enjoy interacting with people. Have traveled extensively.

I love His love for each one of His creations, individually!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LaShawn Horton

I love God, my family, and others and I am passionate about prayer.

I love His lovingkindness.

Tim Cross

I am from the Collegedale Church. I have a wife, three daughters and I love biking for fun.

I love His grace, forgiveness, love, and power to heal, lead, and provide perfectly.

Linda Case

I love Jesus, I'm a growing Christian, who loves young people very much, and count it a privilege to work with them at Southern!

I love that He sees in me what I can become with His help.

Andrew Richards

I am passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion. I believe in the power of education to transform lives. I care for, connects with, and empowers those around me.

I love His welcoming open arm reception to society’s outcasts.

Caleb Sutherland

I am passionate about connecting with people and seeing them grow past their fears. Beyond active involvement in the business community, I have a broad range of interests from travel and flying to gardening.

I love His grace and compassion. His kindness is the number one trait I do my best to emulate in my daily life.

Jahnil Ancheta

I am silly, outgoing, and honest. I love people and I am very Cuban!

I love His faithfulness and unconditional love!!!

Laura Becker

I love kids of all ages. I get along with everyone, and I am friendly and compassionate.

I love that That He died so I could not only go to Heaven, but so I can have peace in this mess of an earth, and that He lets me start new every day. His mercies never fail!

Aaron Corbit

I'm a professor of biology at SAU. I'm known as the snake guy because I studied rattlesnakes for my doctoral degree. I also like spiders and scorpions and enjoy working with students to study these organisms at SAU.

I find that the teachings of Jesus, and the rest of scripture that points to Jesus, give deep, timeless insights into the depravity of the human condition, but also give great hope for overcoming that depravity through the saving power of Jesus!

Connie Johnson

I was the teacher's secretary at Spalding Elementary for four years. I have served in many areas in the Church including adult and children Sabbath school.

I love His mercy and Love for me.

Paula Walters

I am passionate about the mission here at Southern. I am a positive and bubbly person who loves meeting new people and learning about their passion and goals in life.

I love that while here on earth, Jesus demonstrated humility. He lead by example and demonstrated true servant leadership.

Gus Martin

I am a passionate educator who loves helping students succeed. I am also tech geek who loves to watch and play soccer.

I love that Jesus is personal, real, and coming back soon to take me home.

Kim Armstrong

I work in our CK2 Eatery Family.

I love that Jesus died on the cross to save me. That He gives me chances & loves me dearly. Lessons I learn from Him in scripture.