Student Development Staff
Dr. Rich Brown
VP for Student Development
As the Vice President for Student Development and as a parent of four Simpson University graduates, it is my privilege now to invest in the next generation of young adults. Together with a great staff, we seek to foster an environment where students can continue their academic, social, and physical development while learning to make wise, God-sized choices that will last a lifetime.
I hold a B.A. in History from Crown College (MN.), an M.A. in Christian Education, an M.Div. in Pastoral Care and Counseling, and a D.Min. from Bethel Seminary (MN.). I am an author, the husband of Kathy, the father of four and grandfather of seven. I served in full-time pastoral ministry prior to coming to Simpson in 1993 as a professor and dean. I stepped into the VP role in 2005. Growing up on the east coast, I have an excuse for being a fan of the Yankees and the Hurricanes.
Travis Osborne
Director of Spiritual Formation
As the Director of Spiritual Formation, I have the privilege of creating opportunities for students to mature in their Christian faith and practice. I oversee chapel at Simpson along with prayer groups, worship teams, local service in the community, and our short-term missions program. I love being able to walk with a community of young adults as we ask God to transform us to be more like Him.
I graduated from Simpson in 1995 with a degree in Youth Ministry and am currently working on a Master of Divinity at A.W. Tozer Theological Seminary. I am licensed and ordained as a reverend with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. In my spare time, I enjoy wrestling with my three children, laughing with my wife, and journaling at a local coffee shop.
Joe Slavens
Director of Student Life
As the Director of Student Life at Simpson University, my job includes overseeing Residence Life, Commuter Life, and the undergraduate discipline process. My job is very rewarding, and we have a great community here at Simpson. Helping others reach their potential and goals, both personally and corporately, is an exceptionally fulfilling part of my profession. Working alongside quality team members and colleagues is also a real pleasure.
I grew up in central Washington and Oregon and spent some high school years in Redding. I graduated from Cedarville University in 1994 with degrees in Public Administration and Political Science, in 2000 from Multnomah University with an M.A. in Pastoral Studies, and I am currently working on an ED. D. from Azusa Pacific University in Higher Education Leadership. In my spare time I enjoy reading, playing, and chatting with my three daughters, born in 2010, 2007 and 2005. In addition, my Australian wife and I enjoy long weekend getaways, late night snacks, and watching Hulu.
Tammy Cleveland
Director of Student Inclusion
As the Director of Student Inclusion, I am able to do something I truly love and that is point to the redemptive work of Christ to heal, deliver and set free every community of God’s Creation. Since I am drawn to the collective work of young adults to connect with others, better their surroundings and pursue their personal best, overseeing student inclusion is rewarding and fulfilling. At Simpson, God is doing amazing things in the lives of our students. Through activities, student government and student clubs/organizations, students are encouraged to enlarge their vision about leadership, pure entertainment and community inclusion.
I have lived in the Bay Area, but I grew up in Redding, Calif. In 1991, I had the pleasure of wearing the Ms. Shasta County crown and sash, and currently I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I graduated from A.W. Tozer Theological Seminary in 2011 with a Master of Divinity. My undergraduate degree is in Liberal Studies from San Francisco State University.
Catherine Bird
Student Life Specialist
As Executive Secretary for Student Life, I provide administrative support for the student life team. I enjoy interacting with students when possible, and I love providing a helping hand in the office for various student life endeavors. I have a passion to see students thrive during their college years and am excited to be a part of department that works hard to make that happen.
I grew up in Dallas, Texas, but I have come to love Northern California. I graduated from Howard Payne University with my bachelors in political science, and I just finished my Juris Doctorate at Baylor Law School. I love traveling, coffee, chocolate chip cookies, and laughing with my friends and family.
Mark L Rippetoe
Residence Life Supervisor
As the Residence Life Supervisor, my job is to develop the community life for those students living on campus. I oversee the other Residence Life staff and have the opportunity to support them as they seek to create unique communities on campus. I love being able to live life together with students and encouraging them to be paradigm shifters for the Gospel in the world.
Originally from Nashville, I graduated from Covenant College in 2003 with a degree in Biblical Studies where I met my wife Sarah. We went from there to Covenant Theological Seminary for my MDiv then onto Taylor University where I received an MA in Higher Education and also served in Residence Life. During my education, I also served in the military and as a firefighter. In my spare time, I enjoy being outdoors whether hiking, climbing, or playing ultimate but most of my relaxation time is spent training for long distance triathlons.
Jessica Christian
Coordinator of Student Life
As the Coordinator of Student Life at Simpson University, my job includes coordinating the leadership training and development for our Commuter Life and Residence Life student staff as well as coordinating and implementing the discipline process for our undergraduate students. I have served in Student Development at Simpson University since 2000 and continue to love being a part of this community as much as I did the day that I arrived. I have a heart to see lives changed and am continually amazed to see the transformational and redemptive heart of God actively at work at SU.
I grew up in several different places from Minnesota and Arizona to British Columbia, Canada (I’m a dual citizen). I graduated from Trinity Western University in 1998 with a degree in Intercultural Religious Studies and a certification in Teaching English as a Second Language. It was my phenomenal, life-changing experience in college that led me to pursue a career in Student Development. In my spare time I enjoy travelling, playing games, watching LOST, drinking coffee, and spending time with my family and my friends. My husband is originally from India, and we have two precious children: a daughter who was born in 2007 and a son who was born in 2010.
Anna F.
Residence Life Coordinator
As the Residence Life Coordinator, it is my job to help lead and encourage our incredible student leaders here in the residence halls at Simpson University. I directly oversee the resident assistants of our senior housing program in Meseall-Taylor, and assist the Residence Life Supervisor with leadership development and all the excitement that happens in our residence halls. I love doing life with students as they explore and discover who they are in Christ. I love seeing leaders rise up, and promoting an atmosphere of community.
I grew up in southern San Diego, until my college years. Now I enjoy the beauty that northern California has to offer. I attended Simpson all four years and earned my degree in Mass Media Communication. I also have a minor in Bible and Theology because I had to find an excuse to be around our great bible professors more. I am currently working on my masters in Counseling and Psychology. When I'm not working, I enjoy being outdoors, spending time with my friends and family, and trying new foods. My favorite Simpson event is our film festival, Exposure. Simpson is a school that I grew so fond of during my time here as a student, and I feel passionate about giving students an incredible university experience.
Sarah Rippetoe
Coordinator of Student Activities
As Clubs and Activities Coordinator, I provide support and encouragement to students in clubs and campus activities leadership positions. Over the years I have had the privilege of working in a wide range of positions and from these diverse work experiences I have learned that I truly enjoy working with students, walking along side them as they discover their own unique leadership styles and gifts. In my position, I desire to empower my student leaders to take ownership of their particular campus event seeking to provide memory making opportunities for our entire Simpson community.
Originally from Seattle, I graduated from Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, GA with a degree in Biblical Studies. While in college I met and married my husband Mark. From there, we moved to St. Louis where I was able to work at Covenant Theological Seminary as their Admissions Data Coordinator and take some Educational Ministry courses. More recently, we moved from Upland, IN where we lived and worked with students at Taylor University. I have enjoyed exploring the outdoors and have found California to be an amazing place to live.
Jon Thompson
Coordinator for Student Ministries
Jon leads Redding Transformation/WER1, a movement that empowers, connects and mobilizes the Body toward regional transformation. He also serves as the Coordinator for Student Ministries at Simpson, oversees Project 18, a local mentoring initiative that brings the Kingdom of God near to at-risk teens, and runs Netsound - a local sound and lighting company. With a heart to reach our city and beyond, Jon has had his finger on the pulse of Kingdom activity and loves to link people who bring Christ to culture.
He married his Argentine sweetheart, Natalia, 20 years ago and they now enjoy parenting four amazing world changers. He graduated from in 1996 with youth ministry degree.
Sarah Bourns
Coordinator for Student Missions
My role as the Coordinator for Student Missions combines two of my greatest passions - college students and crossing cultures! Under the umbrella of Spiritual Formation, I work primarily to educate students about God's heart for the lost, to equip them for service and survival overseas, and to provide experiences for teams to love and learn all over the globe. I get really excited about students taking what they're learning from the classroom out into the world and spreading the life-saving news of Jesus to those who have never heard. It's a huge privilege to disciple students in order that they may join God in making more disciples.
I grew up in Riverside, Calif., with Travis Osborne as my youth pastor and first mission trip leader. My education at Westmont College provided me with a number of opportunities to both study and serve overseas, leading me to major in Sociology. After graduating in 2003, I joined MissionYear, an urban ministry program, and lived in inner-city Philadelphia loving my neighbors and serving in the community. I then came on staff at my home church and worked for seven years in youth ministry, compassion ministry, and missions. Moving to Redding in July 2011 has been a huge blessing and I'm thrilled to be part of what God is doing at Simpson.
Lori Wiggan
Commuter Life Supervisor
As the Commuter Life Supervisor, my job is to develop and support the community life for those students living off campus. I oversee the other Commuter Life staff and have the opportunity to support them administratively as they seek to create unique communities on campus.
I grew up on Evanston/Chicago, IL. I graduated from Taylor Business Institute in 1994 with an A.A.S in Computerized Business Systems. From there I went on to graduate from Kendall College in 2004 with a B.A in Business Studies. I am currently pursing my M.A in Christian Family Life Education from Shasta Bible College here in Redding, CA. In my spare time, I enjoy spending quality time with my son who was born in 1997 and my daughter who was born in 1999. As a family we enjoy, reading, movies, shopping, dancing, water sports, cooking and being silly with tons of laughter.
Kerri Schuette
Yearbook Advisor
As the yearbook advisor, my job is to guide our yearbook staff to create an annual publication that is insightful, interesting and relevant to Simpson University students. We hope they will refer to their yearbook for many years to come and look back fondly on their years here.
I grew up in Redding and earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from San Francisco State University. I have worked as a newspaper reporter, a high school journalism teacher and a public relations specialist. I continue to write and edit stories for Enjoy Magazine. I've been married since 1994 to Jim Schuette, a general contractor and high school football coach. We have three children: Maddie, born in 1998; Eric, born in 2002; and Zachary, born in 2005.
