Student Life Staff

Terry Charek: Dean of Student Care
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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, and two guinea pigs -  and loves to hike and garden and eat raw eggs.

Nicholas Rowe: Dean of Student Engagement
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Dr. Rowe works with his colleagues to create a campus climate of opportunity, leadership development and integrated student learning experiences for a student body that is increasingly diverse and global. This is so that, according to the College mission, they are prepared “to provide faithful leadership and service for the common good.” This will often mean looking out for specific ways for students to connect what is happening inside the classroom with what is happening outside the classroom. He oversees the administration of the Multicultural Initiatives Office, the International Student Organization, First Generation Students, the Office of Community Engagement, Campus Activities and Highland Express, and the annual LEAD conference. He also serves as a secondary advisor to student government. In addition, he teaches as an associate professor in the History Department and Peace Studies minor.

Rev. Bob Whittet: Interim Chaplain
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Rev. Bob Whittet is a graduate of Gordon College (B.A.) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div). He is a professor in the Christian Ministries department and serves as the Director of Church Relations. Bob has nearly three decades of youth ministry experience in his background, much of it in New England, and serves as an advisor and board member for a number of national and regional ministries. Bob is committed to the life-changing effect that cross-cultural youth ministry has on young people, and is committed to helping students discover their leadership potential through the Center for Student Leadership.

Lauren Becker: Associate Dean for Spiritual Formation
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Lauren brings to Gordon College her fusion of psychology and spiritual formation, and her love of spiritual disciplines. It is her joy to come alongside students and join them on their spiritual journey, fostering intentionality, growth, and depth of relationship with Christ. Lauren is a graduate of Eastern Nazarene College (B.A.) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where she received her M.A. in Counseling. She lives in southern New Hampshire with her husband, Todd, and her four delightful children.

Jacqueline Broberg: Director of Student Activities
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Jacqueline Broberg is the Director of Student Activities, overseeing the Student Government, the Campus Events Council and the Mascot Program. She is a graduate of Gordon College (’13) where she studied Political Science and Biblical Studies. In her time working at Gordon, Jacqueline created, developed and overseen leadership programs such as Women In Leadership and LAUNCH: A Professional Seminar and has advised a mission trip and the Model United Nations. Jacqueline is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and gets excited about Biblical Theology and Justice, and how understanding the two make us better Christians and citizens. Outside of work and school, Jacqueline lives with her husband at Gordon-Conwell and is an active member of her church.

Jeff Carpenter: Director of Residence Life
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Jeff is a graduate of Geneva College, where he received his B.A. and his Masters degree in Higher Education. He serves as the Resident Director for Nyland Hall, where he lives with his wife and son. Jeff is committed to mentoring students, helping them grow as leaders and as followers of Christ. 

Ethan Mignard: Director of Housing
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Ethan Mignard serves as Gordon’s director of housing as well as the resident director of Tavilla Hall. Raised in Andover, Minn., he attended Oklahoma Baptist University, where he earned a B.A. in News and Information in 2011. Mignard received his M.A. in Strategic Leadership from Bethel University in May of 2017. In his free time, Mignard enjoys traveling, photography, participating in sports and keeping up with current events.

Abigail Stroven: Director of La Vida Center for Outdoor Education and Leadership
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Abby has been shaped by her experiences in Ecuador, South America where she spent seven years working with an adventure education retreat center called El Refugio located near the capital city of Quito. Her experiences leading wilderness trips, ministering to local Ecuadorians, and living in a different culture have fueled her passion for facilitating similar experiences with La Vida participants and staff. She is excited to be leading the La Vida Center here at Gordon College. Abby has a B.S. from Cedarville University. She is certified as a WMA Wilderness First Responder as well as being trained in Challenge Course management and Advanced Skills and Standards courses at Project Adventure.

Deana Trefry: Director of the Counseling Center
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Deana has worked in the Counseling Center for two years and has been an adjunct professor at Gordon in the Sociology and Social Work Departments. Prior to coming to Gordon, Deana spent the last 16 years working within 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 public schools, Deana worked as an outpatient therapist at Health & Education Services working with all ages. Deana is married and has three children.