Student Life Staff

Contacting Student Life:
P 978 867 4263 | Hours: Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Main Office: Lane Student Center, 3rd Floor

The Office of Student Life coordinates many activities, programs, and services that enhance student life at Gordon. During your time here, we want you to develop into mature Christian men and women, integrating faith, living and learning. Outside of the classroom, that happens through our programs and services such as Residence Life, Multicultural Events, and the Health and Center for Student Counseling and Wellness, just to name a few. But it also happens through people: people who care about these programs and who care about you. Take a few moments to get to know our Deans and Directors through their mini-bios below.

Chris Carlson

Dean of Student Success
Chief Student Affairs Officer
Director of the A. J. Gordon Scholars program

Email Chris Carlson →

Terry Charek

Dean of Student Life

Terry L. Charek, Dean of Student Life, has served the students of Gordon College for over 30 years in various capacities. Campus residence life was his true love and focus for many years, but he also works with students with disabilities, commuter student advising, the health and counseling centers, recreation, intramurals and health education, directs the student disciplinary process, and founded the Early Response Initiative to identify and support struggling students. Terry lives in Wenham with his lovely wife Patricia and daughter Charlotte. He loves to hike, garden and eat raw eggs.

Email Terry Charek →

Deana Trefry

Dean of Student Care

In her role as Dean of Student Care, Deanna oversees the Center for Student Counseling and Wellness. Deana has also been an adjunct professor at Gordon in the Sociology and Social Work Departments. Prior to coming to Gordon, Deana worked in the public schools, as well as for the SEEM Collaborative, as a school adjustment counselor, school psychologist and special education administrator. At SEEM Collaborative, Deana was the founder and Director of the SEEM Assessment and Intervention Center. Prior to her work in public schools, Deana worked as an outpatient therapist at Health & Education Services working with all ages. Deana is married and has three children.

Email Deana Trefry →

Abigail Stroven

Executive Director of La Vida Center for Outdoor Education and Leadership

Abby oversees the development, operation, budget, fundraising, and staffing of all La Vida Center programs. She also serves as an instructor for the core Outdoor Education course and trainings. Born in Grant, MI, Abby received her MA in Outdoor Education and Leadership from Prescott College and BS in Biology from Cedarville University. She is certified as a WMA Wilderness First Responder, Challenge Course Manager, and Advanced Skills and Standards practitioner. Abby spent seven years working with an adventure education retreat center called El Refugio in Ecuador, South America. Her more than 20 years of experience leading wilderness trips, teaching, researching, and facilitating challenge course experiences have fueled her passion for promoting similar experiences for participants and staff. She is excited to lead the La Vida Center at Gordon College.

Email Abigail Stroven →

Abram Erickson

Director of Student Activities
Resident Director of Bromley Hall

In his role in Student Activities, Abram advises the Gordon College Student Association (GCSA) and the Campus Events Council (CEC), helping students develop leadership skills and engage their peers in campus-wide events that serve the Gordon community. Abram received his B.A. in Communication with minors in Biblical and Theological Studies and Journalism, and his M.A. in Higher Education and Student Development, from Wheaton College (IL). Abram enjoys playing trivia, talking sports (especially his Chicago teams), reading the classics, watching movies, and connecting with students through participating in Rec-IM. Stop by his office in Lane to say hello!

Email Abram Erickson →

Yicaury Melo Jimenez

Director of Multicultural Initiatives and the Clarendon Scholars Program

Yicaury Melo serves as the Director of the Multicultural Initiatives Office and the Clarendon Scholars program, becoming the first alum to direct the program. Having previously served in multiple roles at Gordon including the Multicultural Admissions Counselor, the Multicultural Student Service Coordinator, and a Resident Director, Yicaury has developed initiatives to create a welcoming community that fosters a sense of belonging for multicultural students. Yicaury’s passions are hospitality and making college campuses feel like home for multicultural students.

Yicaury received a B.A. in Communication Arts and a M.A. in Educational Leadership from Gordon College. Her graduate research focused on developing Hispanic Serving Institutions within Christian higher education institutions. In 2022, she became the Diversity Chair for the Association of Christians in Student Development (ACSD) Executive Board.

Email Yicaury Melo Jimenez →

Fatu Kanu

Director of International Student Services

Fatu serves as the Director of the International Student Office as the primary overseer for international students, which includes administration over F-1 visas, Expatriates, Missionary Kids, and Third Culture Kids, sometimes referred to as Global Nomads. She develops and facilitates all international student-related services and programs to ensure successful formation in their academic, spiritual, social, cultural, and personal lives while promoting intercultural awareness, learning, and engagement on campus. Fatu’s love language is quality time, so she always finds time to connect with students.

Fatu is a proud alum of Gordon College where she earned a Christian Ministries degree, concentrating in Global Christianity and Social Impact Ministries, with minors in Business Administration and Biblical Studies. She earned a dual Masters degree in Intercultural Studies and Global Leadership from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Email Fatu Kanu →