Student Life Staff

Connie Carey

Connie Carey 2012
Position: 
Director of Student Health

Connie Carey serves as the Director of Student Health. She holds an RN as well as notable experience as an Allied Health instructor for 18 years. She is a current member of the Central College Health Association where she has served on the board from 2011-2013, and is also a memeber of the American College Health Association. Connie works closely with the Student Life office to provide individual, quality care to each student. Connie lives in Sterling with her husband Bruce, a life-long farmer/rancher. The Careys have three adult children: Sara, Travis and Fay.

Christian Dashiell

Christian Dashiell 2012
Position: 
Chaplain

Christian graduated from Sterling College in 2002, at which point he and his wife Stacy moved to Kansas City for graduate school. In addition to earning a Masters of Divinity from Central Baptist Theological Seminary, Christian had the opportunity to work at two different churches in the Kansas City area.

Naiya Hernandez

Naiya Hernandez 2012
Position: 
Resident Director of Evans Hall

Originally from California, Naiya graduated from Sterling College in 2008.  After graduation she had the opportunity to serve with an urban ministry in the heart of downtown Denver, Colorado.  She feels that her time in Denver helped prepare her for ministry and leadership with women.  Having retuned to Sterling she is looking forward to the relationships she will develop with the Sterling community and with the women of Evans Hall.  During her time as a student at Sterling College she was involved in Student Government and the Campus Activity Board.  Naiya enjoys laughter, missions, and learning about the world around her. 

Lisa Parson

Lisa Parson 2012
Position: 
Director of Career Services & First Year Program

Lisa joined the Sterling College staff in July 2010. She attended Sterling College for her first two years of undergraduate studies and then transferred to Fort Hays State University to complete her Bachelor of General Studies. Lisa graduated from K-State in 2010 with a Master's in Counseling & Student Development and a graduate certificate in Academic Advising. While attending K-State, she worked for two years as a Graduate Assistant in Disability Support Services.

Eric Saiz

Eric Saiz 2012
Position: 
Resident Director of Douglas Men's Hall & Douglas Women's Hall

Eric is a 2006 graduate of Sterling College, where he received his degree in Christian Ministries with a minor in Exercise Science. He is originally from Colorado Springs, Colorado and is serving in his seventh year as the Resident Director of Douglas Men's and Women's halls. Eric's passion is that every person who comes to Sterling will have an understanding of what it means to know Jesus Christ as their own personal savior and live their life following Him. Eric and his wife, Tonya (05' alum), have been married for 6 years and have a beautiful little girl named Jaely, who was born in January 2011. They love camping, fishing, biking, and hiking and any kind of sport. Eric is a 8-time Sterling College intramural champion. Oh yeah, that's right!

Cecil Smart

Cecil Smart 2012
Position: 
Assistant Men's Basketball Coach; Assistant Resident Director (Kilbourn Hall); Part-Time Admissions Counselor

Cecil Smart is in his 3rd year as an Assistant Men's Basketball Coach for the Sterling College Warriors. His primary duties include coaching the junior varsity team, recruiting, and coordinating the strength and conditioning program for the Warriors. He is a Sterling College graduate, having played for Coach Jaderston at both Trinity International and also at Sterling, where he was a member of the 2009 KCAC conference championship team.

Addie Swihart

Addie Swihart 2012
Position: 
Resident Director of McCreery Hall

My name is Addie Swihart and I am so excited that I get the opportunity to serve the ladies of McCreery Hall as their Resident Director. I am a 2011 graduate of Sterling College with an Elementary Education degree and a minor in Christian Ministries. While taking classes in these areas, I realized my passion is for people. I have thoroughly enjoyed the lasting relationships built over this last year as an RD and look forward to more this year!

Ben Swihart

Ben Swihart 2012
Position: 
Resident Director of Campbell Hall

Ben '08, earned a bachelor's degree in history and a minor in religion and philosophy from Sterling College and a masters from Eastern University in international development. Ben has served as the resident director for Campbell Hall since 2009. He enjoys hanging out with diverse groups of students at all types of campus events. Ben has served on the student success and retention committees on campus, served as the campus activities board advisor, and most recently has worked on a co-curricular programming plan for the the Sterling College honors program.

Melissa Virts

Melissa Virts 2012
Position: 
Administrative Assistant for Student Life

Melissa is originally from Pretty Prairie, KS.  She fell in love with Sterling College while attending from 2004-2007.  After graduating with a B.A in psychology, she spent four years working with adults with severe mental illness at a mental health center.  She joined the SC staff in July 2011 as an administrative assistant in the Student Life Office.  Melissa’s passion is that every student would come to know Christ in a personal and transformational way.  When she’s not at work, Melissa enjoys cooking, traveling to Pennsylvania to see her extremely cu

Joshua Wisner

Josuha Wisner 2012
Position: 
Resident Director of Kilbourn Hall

Josh (a.k.a "Wiz") came to Sterling as a student to play basketball. We are fortunate enough to have him back this year, not as a student, but as the Resident Director for Kilbourn Hall. Josh loves the opportunity that being an RD allows him to b e involved in young men's lives and to be a positive influence for them as they go through college.