Mission Integration Staffing Update

Dear Colleagues, 

It has been a full and blessed first year for me in my role as Vice President for Mission Integration at Seattle University. Over the last twelve months I have sought to become [re]acquainted with the institution and with the university community, familiarizing myself with the context in which I take on the role of leading our shared work of mission integration. We are in a pivotal moment in the history of Seattle University. We are taking on something that is new, collectively discerning what it means to be a Jesuit and Catholic university under lay leadership in a changing Catholic higher education landscape. The Mission Priority Examen is an opportunity for us to identify institutional priorities to enable us to better connect the excellent work we do to advance the mission with who we are as a Jesuit and Catholic university and I am so grateful to you who participated in the MPE process this past spring.

I am eager to share with you the divisional team who will be leading the work of mission integration from within the Division. The team will support the campus community in the work of integrating our mission, vision, and values into all our work on behalf of students.

I am excited to announce two faculty colleagues have agreed to join the Mission Integration team to assist me over the new academic year, dividing their time between their home colleges and Mission Integration.

Michael Jaycox, Associate Professor in Theology and Religious Studies, will serve as Special Assistant for Faculty Development. In this role, Michael will bring his academic expertise to bear on the work of developing and delivering programs and initiatives that will provide opportunities to engage at the intersection of mission and intellectual life.

Brian Taberski, Assistant Clinical Professor in Educational and Organizational Learning and Leadership, will join the Division as a faculty fellow and will assist me with strategic initiatives. Brian will draw from his expertise in organizational leadership to coordinate collaborative initiatives with internal and external partners and assist in building operational capacity for the Division. 

Jen Tilghman-Havens has been promoted to Assistant Vice President for Mission Integration while retaining her direct oversight of the Center for Jesuit Education (CJE). Jen has worked to support faculty and staff in their professional and mission development for 15 years, co-leading programs such as Arrupe Seminar and Colleagues in Jesuit Education and co-creating the Ignatian Pedagogy Series and Women in Jesuit Mission. She has presented widely on Jesuit education and Ignatian Spirituality. I am looking forward to working with her in her expanded capacity as AVP, assisting me in the implementation of my vision for the Division, helping me stay always attentive to the distinctive context of Seattle University. Andrea Fontana, Natch Ohno, and Eddie Salazar will report to Jen. She will also work closely with this year’s CJE Faculty Associates. 

Andrea Fontana returns to her role as Associate Director of the Center for Jesuit Education after generously serving as the Interim Director of Campus Ministry. My sincere gratitude goes to Andrea for stepping into this role and leading the Campus Ministry area with wisdom, intentionality, and care. Her organizational skills and pastoral presence enabled her to make a profound impact in the six months of leading the Campus Ministry team. I am eager to see her creativity and commitment to mission once again animate the work of CJE. 

Natch Ohno, S.J., will return to the Center for Jesuit Education in the fall on a part-time basis as Faculty and Staff Chaplain. Natch spent many years working with the Division of Student Development and also accompanying students, faculty, and staff. In his new role, he will support programs offered by the CJE and will be a pastoral presence, available for spiritual accompaniment and direction. 

Eddie Salazar has played a vital role in supporting the Center for Jesuit Education for many years and many know him for his ability to create a welcoming space. This past year, he generously agreed to serve as Executive Coordinator in my first year. In the new academic year, he will oversee budget management and event coordination for all areas of the Division of Mission Integration, including Campus Ministry, and will continue to support CJE. 

Mary Kay Brennan (Social Work), Yancy Dominick (Philosophy), and Kerry Von Esch (Education) rejoin remain a vital part of the Center for Jesuit Education team as CJE Faculty Associates, leading various programs for both faculty and staff. 

Luke Lavin joins Seattle University as Director of Campus Ministry. Luke has been connected to Jesuit education for many years, most recently serving as Director of Campus Ministry at Gonzaga University. As noted in the campus announcement of Luke’s hire, he “is a deep listener and discerner and strong pastoral presence who possesses a profound understanding and love for the Ignatian tradition.” He will supervise a talented team of Campus and Resident Ministers as they accompany our students on their spiritual and faith journeys. The Campus Ministry team includes Bill McNamara (CM for Liturgical Music), Megan Kush (CM for Pastoral Care), Vincent Duong, S.J. (CM for Faith Formation), Stevi Hamil (CM for Retreats), Annarose Jowenson (CM for Social Justice), and Alex Booker (CM for Religious Diversity).  

With the forthcoming hires of a Campus Minister for Liturgy and an Executive Coordinator who will oversee marketing in the Division and support me and Campus Ministry, the Mission Integration team will be complete.  

These changes will enable the Division to lean more fully into the work ahead as we finalize the university’s mission priorities, expounding Foundational Goal 0: Remaining Anchored in our Jesuit and Catholic Character. I am grateful to the team that has accompanied me through my first year of listening and learning. We as a team are grateful to you for your partnership in the work of mission integration. I look forward to all that we will do together. 

Be on the lookout for a follow-up email sharing some of the initiatives from the Division for the coming year. And please visit us. Mission Integration and the Center for Jesuit Education continue to reside in Loyola Hall, second floor, and Campus Ministry continues to be on the first floor of the Student Center.  

If you have questions about this announcement or any matters related to Mission Integration, please contact me.   

With deep gratitude, 

Catherine Punsalan-Manlimos 
Vice President for Mission Integration