Donya Anderson
, Admissions Counselor
I was a student athlete at Tabor from 2003-2007 and played basketball for four years under Coach Rusty Allen. A life transition has brought me back to Tabor where I will be serving as an admissions counselor. I am also earning my master’s degree in marriage, couple and family counseling and plan to graduate in the next 3-4 years. You are all invited to the graduation ceremony. I am excited to start my new journey with Tabor and I look forward to working with everyone.
Lily Arthur, Assistant Professor of Accounting
I graduated from Tabor and completed my Masters of Science in Accounting from Tabor College Wichita. I have worked in the public accounting field for 20 plus years, most recently 15 years with Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball, Chtd a CPA firm with 15 locations in Kansas. I went to high school in Minneapolis, Kan., and moved to Hillsboro for college and have been here since then. I have been an adjunct at Tabor for ten years and also a year at Central Christian College in McPherson. I’m excited to work with the students full-time.
Ginger Becker, Assistant Professor of Education
I was born in Iola, Kan. I grew up around Andover, Kan. I currently live on a farm west of Durham, Kan., with my husband for over forty-five years, Kent, and our lab, Missy. We have two sons: Tony and Todd. Their beautiful families have given us four beautiful grandchildren; two boys and two girls. I taught for twenty-nine years; two years at Centre Elementary and twenty-seven at Marion Elementary. I spent one year traveling all over the U.S. teaching teachers about brain compatible learning with Susan Kovalik and associates. I am a graduate of Tabor College and I earned my Masters of Education from Kansas State University. I prayed that I would be able to give back to Tabor and the Education Department by helping future Christian teachers get their start like I received years ago.
Lance Carter, Graduate Assistant Men’s Basketball
My name is Lance Carter, I am originally from Troy, Ohio. I graduated from Tabor with my bachelor’s degree in business management in May of 2016. I started working on my MBA while finishing up my last year of basketball here at Tabor. I played four years of varsity basketball and now I am now returning to finish my MBA and be the graduate assistant for the men’s basketball team.
Terry Ens, Director of Facilities Operations
I was born in Hillsboro, Kan., and moved to Denver after my parents graduated from Tabor College. I spent my informative years dividing my time between Denver and our family farm in Western Kansas and I graduated from Tabor College in 1985. I married Joni Ensz of Hillsboro and we have two children, Stephanie and Staci and one granddaughter, Claire. Stephanie played volleyball at Tabor and married Brett Eitzen. Staci came for soccer, and is marrying Sam Brucks who also attended Tabor. I have enjoyed several work endeavors, in agriculture, being self-employed in the restaurant industry and automotive business. I have (too) many hobbies but classic car restoration and disc golf probably top the list. I feel blessed to work at Tabor, it’s a place where I can hone my skills, feel free to be who I am, and have the opportunity to help make a difference in other people’s lives.
Staci Ford
, Director of Nursing Programs
Staci Ford completed her Master of Science in Nursing Education degree in 2007 from Oklahoma University Health Science Center, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Central Oklahoma. She has ten years of experience teaching nursing in higher education, most recently from Hesston College and Newman University. Currently, Staci is pursuing a Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Leadership at Concordia University Portland. Her free time is spent helping with arts and crafts for the toddler Sunday School class at Eastwood Church of Christ in Hutchinson, Kan.
Robert Haude, Director of Project SEARCH
I grew up and lived in California until I moved to Kansas to attend Tabor College. I played football at Tabor and remain active as I enjoy riding my road bike, running, and swimming. I have been working in the field of special education for the past 10 years. I enjoy reading and traveling with my family. I am currently Project SEARCH coordinator at Tabor College.
Ryan Hutton, Project SEARCH Intern
From Newton, KS. Graduated in May 2012
Jacob Jones, Graduate Assistant Baseball
I am from Wichita, Kan. I graduated from Tabor last year. I played baseball while I was here and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. I am going to be one of the graduate assistant coaches the next two years while working towards my MBA.
Izzie Klassen, Skills Trainer for Project SEARCH
I am a twenty-six year resident of Hillsboro, my husband’s name is Jay Klassen. I am a retired Kansas licensed cosmetologist and LPN. I worked in family practice, geriatrics, home health and administrative roles. Presently, I am an employee of Marion County Special Education Coop in my 5th year. I spent two years as a one-on-one para-educator, and three years in the Life Skills Program. Recently, I accepted the position as the skills trainer for Project SEARCH with Mr. Haude.
Ethan Koerner, Assistant Professor of Theater/Technical Director
Ethan is transitioning from a part-time role teaching courses and designing and building sets for theater productions, to a full-time faculty position that expands his responsibilities to include Technical Direction for the performance spaces in the Shari Flaming Center for the Arts. This will be his fifth academic year serving Tabor College as an artist and educator. Previously, Ethan worked as a designer and technician in professional theater including Musical Theater West and the Carpenter Center in Los Angeles, and was Technical Director for Northwestern College in Iowa and Austin College in Texas. Ethan and his wife Laurel (the other theater professor) have a daughter, Emelia, who appeared on Tabor’s stage last spring at the age of 16 months — sorry, Emelia, we promised we wouldn’t put you in our shows, and then we did.
Sadonia Lane, Director of Financial Aid
I was raised in Waxahachie, Texas and then transplanted to the little community of Lincoln, Kan., at the start of junior high. I received both my BA and MA in history from Wichita State University. My emphasis is historic preservation and American History. I’ve taught American history courses and adult basic education courses at Hutchinson Community College. I was a co-author for the book “Kansas: In the Heart of Tornado Alley” and have also done research on women’s clothing and its correlation with eating disorders. I previously worked in the Office of Financial Aid at Wichita State University for 9 1/2 years. I reside in Wichita with my husband, and together we have three boys.
Alexandria Larson, Project SEARCH Intern
From Marion, KS. Graduated in May 2017.
Kevin Larson, Residential Educator/Student Success Counselor
My name is Kevin Larson and I graduated from Tabor in 2007 with a youth ministry degree that I have been using ever since. I have been married to Jill (Crawford) whom I met at Tabor my freshmen year. We have 2 kids, Seth (3 and a half) and Bethany (1 and a half). I am excited to be back at to a place that God used to so radically change my life. Go Bluejays!
Nikki Lewis, Graduate Assistant Women’s Basketball
Hi, my name is Nikki and I am from Tahlequah, Okla. I have two siblings; an older brother named Zack and an older sister named Angel. I love to work with kids and I love to coach. My previous job was being a caseworker for my tribe. Prior to being a caseworker, I was a server at Buffalo Wild Wings and coached at Maryetta Public School for two years. I came back to Tabor because I want to grow spiritually and to learn more about coaching. I graduated from Tabor in 2014 with a degree in Health, Physical Education/Strength and Conditioning.
Grant Myers
, Dean of Admissions
I am a 2007 graduate of Tabor College and a 2012 graduate of TCW’s MBA program. My wife Stacie is a 2008 graduate and we have 3 children, Madelyn, John, and McKenzy (born 8/8). In the past I have worked in the insurance industry, mental health, and coaching. I am at Tabor College because we felt God was calling us back to serve our alma mater!
Rebekah Paulus, Director of Carson Center; Asst. Prof. of Intercultural Studies
I am an alum of Tabor College and also received my MA in Intercultural Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary. I moved from Upland, Calif., to Hillsboro, Kan., this summer to take the role of Carson Center Director. I enjoy traveling and encountering many different cultures, both at home and abroad. I especially enjoy being a part of a community of believers and deeply value prayer ministry. I came back to Tabor because I believe in the value of Christian education and, specifically, the vision of Tabor to train up people who will impact the world for Christ. I look forward to playing a role in the lives of students and their global understanding.
Mark Posson
, TCW Director of Business Programs
Mark has been married to LuAnne for over 29 years. They have a son and daughter-in- law, Logan and Kaylee, who live in Wichita, and they have a daughter, Paige, who is a senior at Kansas State University. LuAnne has taught English and Public Speaking at Trinity Academy for the past 15 years. Mark’s 30-year career has been in full-time vocational ministry, with the past 20 years in business administration roles within the local church. In addition to his Tabor position, Mark is the Executive Pastor at Riverlawn Christian Church in Wichita.
Kaitlyn Rempel, Academic Affairs Office Assistant
My name is Kaitlyn Rempel, and I just graduated from Tabor College in May 2017 with a communications major and a music minor. I have lived all over the U.S., but most recently, I am from Fairview, Okla. This past summer, I worked at Tonto Rim Christian Camp, located near Payson, Ariz., and I am so excited to transition back into the Hillsboro community and work on the “other side” of Tabor College!
Romney Ruder, Associate Professor of Business Administration
Romney joined us from World Impact, a Christian mission’s organization, where he was COO. Prior to this, he spent 2 decades in the Forest Products industry in a variety of senior and executive roles. He has a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine. Ruder attended Texas A&M for his MBA and Illinois State for his BS. As an ordained minister, he received his theological training from The Urban Ministry Institute. Romney has been married for 20 years and he and his wife have 2 teenage boys.
Maggie Slack, Academic Advisor/Assistant Registrar TCW
I am originally from Mulvane, Kan. I received my associates degree from Butler Community College and Bachelors in Science from Pittsburg State University. I was previously the academic coach at the Butler Community College and have been in higher education for the last 8 years in various capacities. I came to Tabor because I liked the idea of being able to incorporate my faith with my passion for higher education.
Thomas Sleva, Graduate Assistant Baseball
Hello my name is Thomas Sleva, I go by Tommy. I’m from Pleasant Grove, Calif. I have one older brother by two years, Joseph. I previously attended Yuba Community College where I played baseball and received my associates degree in liberal arts. I worked as a summer camp leader and enjoyed interning under a strength coach here in Sacramento. I also work at home for my father, on our horse ranch in Pleasant Grove. The primary reason I came to Tabor College was to further my baseball career and be the first in my family to receive a BA. I enjoyed playing for Coach Standiford and I am thankful he is allowing me to be one of the graduate assistants for the program.
Holly Smith, Institutional Data and Assessment Coordinator
I’m Holly Smith, mother to two boys (8 and 12 years old) and wife to one education professor. My husband brought us to Tabor and I generally like to go wherever he does. The past six years I have been a housewife, learning to make American foods from scratch. Before that I worked in accounting. Our family looks forward to the adventure Tabor and Hillsboro will bring to our lives.
Steve Smith
, Assistant Professor of Education
I have spent the last eight years serving as a missionary/teacher in Southeast Asia (Singapore and Bangkok, Thailand) with my wife, Holly, and my two boys – Noah, 12, and Luke, 8. During this time, I was able to see how God used education as a tool for advancing the gospel. As I participated in God’s work in Thailand, I felt a yearning to train other educators in order for them to better understand how education can be used to further God’s Kingdom. In order to accomplish this, I earned my Doctorate of Education in curriculum and instruction from Liberty University in 2015 and began actively pursuing higher ed faculty positions. When I spoke with the Tabor search committee and leadership, I realized that we shared a similar passion for preparing men and women to become amazing teachers who are willing to serve God in and through the classroom. With this realization, my wife and I decided it was time to leave Bangkok and its 19 million residents in order to move to Hillsboro. We are currently renting a house on Eisenhower St., while we make the transition from urban living to small town living.
Lara Vanderhoof, Assistant Professor of Social Work
I am originally from Upstate New York, but have resided in Kansas for the last ten years. I am an active member and co-founder of an anti-human trafficking organization referred to as McPherson Set Free. Set Free is a faith-based organization dedicated to bringing awareness and education to individuals in McPherson and around the world regarding this social justice issue. In addition, I am an active volunteer with McPherson Offender Victim Ministries (OVM). The focus of OVM is to have a restorative justice approach to youthful offender crimes. I serve on my church’s conference board as the mission chair, teach adult classes on a variety of topics such as social justice issues and the church and being missional. I have been married to Doug for nearly twenty years and we have two children who are active in church, sports, youth group, and serving the community. I enjoy gardening, reading, and camping.
Michelle Wegner, Education Consultant TCW
I am the educational consultant representing and recruiting for the nursing and criminology programs. I have an associate degree in respiratory therapy, and a bachelor of health science, both from Wichita State University. Right out of college I worked at Via Christi – St Francis Campus as a Registered Respiratory Therapist for almost 10 years. After my time at the hospital I worked for five years as a Registered Respiratory Therapist/Clinical Coordinator for Via-Christi Medical Associates Pulmonology. For the past six years, I worked for PULSE Systems as a corporate trainer in human resources. I have been married to my husband David for 26 years. He works for Wichita Public Schools. We have two children in college. Morgan (our daughter) is a senior attending Fort Hays State University and Jason (our son) is a sophomore attending Friends University. In my spare time, I enjoy crafting, reading, cooking, and spending time with my family.