Mike Walden

Associate Director of Admissions
ph: 712.749.2077
waldenm@bvu.edu

I am a native of Lexington, North Carolina and graduated from Catawba College in 1985 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Economics. After graduating from college, I accepted a position in the banking industry until Catawba contacted me about joining their admissions team as an Admissions Counselor.

As an admissions professional, I have served as the Director of Admissions at three private higher education institutions.

Outside of work, I enjoy jogging, cycling, reading, and other outdoor activities. I also enjoy spending quality time with my family.

Mark Shea

Assistant Director of Admissions
ph: 712.749.2078
sheam@bvu.edu

I am a 1994 graduate of Buena Vista University where I majored in Elementary Education. I began working in the Admissions Office at BVU in 1995 working with many students and parents until I took a brief break from Admissions in 2003. After working other jobs in Storm Lake for 4 years, I returned to the BVU Office of Admissions in November, 2007.

I love helping students discover how they can achieve their dreams and goals through all of the opportunities that are available to them at Buena Vista. I had a great experience as a student here and want to help other students see all the things that BVU can offer them as well. One thing my Buena Vista education taught me is how important it is to be involved in the community in which you live. I have coached track, basketball and baseball at many levels. I am currently involved in the Storm Lake Rotary Club, am a member of the Partnering in Communities Steering Team through ISU Extension, serve on the Genesis Development Board of Directors, and am a small group Bible Study Leader at my church.

When not spending time with my family, which consists of wife Belinda, a Guidance Counselor at Alta High School and two sons, Caden (5) and Brennan (4), I enjoy reading, church activities and anything that deals with sports. In fact, I am pleased to have served the last several years as the Public Address announcer for the Buena Vista Beavers home football games.

Jenny Nepper

Admissions Promotion Coordinator
ph: 712.749.2080
nepperj@bvu.edu

I fulfilled a new position in the admissions department in April 2007 as the admissions promotions coordinator. In this role, I am responsible for ensuring that Buena Vista University is constantly presenting a positive image to influential audiences such as parents, school personnel, alumni and other community leaders.

Thus far, I have been responsible for hosting a variety of on and off campus events. I make sure that there is information about BVU at camps and conferences that are being held on campus. We want to make sure that individuals who are already on campus are able to obtain any information about our programs and admission to the university. I have also invited different groups to attend campus events such as sitting in the President's Box for a football game, listening to a famous math lecturer/author and even hearing former president of Mexico, Vicente Fox speak.

Additionally, we know that it is difficult for some people to make it to our campus; therefore, we are bringing BVU to them! I am hosting events across the state of Iowa and in the Omaha area in order to show people what we have to offer. A wide variety of people are invited to these events, which showcase different aspects of the university as well as our amazing students!

I am available to offer any assistance that you may need when looking for more information about Buena Vista University and the admissions process. Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments or to set up a time for you to visit our campus.

Esteban Paredes

Admissions Counselor
ph: 712.749.2081
paredese@bvu.edu

Hello, my name is Esteban Paredes and I have recently became a part of the Buena Vista University Admissions Team in 2007. I have received my BA in Liberal Studies: with a concentration in Bio-Technology from Graceland University in 2003 and now I am currently working on my Masters in Religion. I have been working in the wonderful world of college admissions for about 7 years, so I am very knowledgeable about college planning.

At Buena Vista University, I am here to assist prospective students from diverse populations all over the United States and internationally, by guiding them through the admissions and financial aid process. I will also be here to help students move in the dorm rooms when they arrive on campus in the fall.

In my spare time I like to volunteer with campus social activities at BVU and spending time with my family and friends. I am also currently the co-advisor for the Latino/a organization on campus called "RAICES" (ROOTS).

If you are interested in being a part of the great Buena Vista University Family, please contact me directly to discuss more about the many educational and financial opportunities that Buena Vista University has to offer you as a future student.

Tom Reburn

Admissions Counselor
ph: 712.749.2067
reburnt@bvu.edu

Hey my name is Tom Reburn. I am a BVU graduate '07. My four years at BVU were among the best years of my life. I made life long friends, including my fiancé Lindi Lapel. I also made life long connections with my professors. Not only did they give me guidance in my academia, they also taught me many life lessons that I use in my every day life.

I am originally from Le Roy, MN and although I love living in the great state of Iowa, I will never forget the most wonderful state in all of the fifty, Minnesota. My parents still live in Le Roy and I love having Minnesota as one of the states I represent because it gives me many opportunities to visit my folks.

My many passions in life include music, art, and the joy of meeting new people every day. While being a student at BVU and now being an admissions representative, I constantly get the opportunity to meet amazing individuals and develop wonderful, new friendships.

Susan Thomsen

Admissions Counselor
ph: 712.749.2068
thomsens@bvu.edu

After a few stops around the Hawkeye state, I'm now calling Buena Vista University home. I joined the Beaver admissions staff in August 2007. "My first day here was quite the experience. I got in a van full of co-workers I barely knew and took off to Kansas City for a three-day staff retreat. Talk about getting to know people quickly!"

Growing up on a farm in eastern Iowa, I'm now getting a chance to go back to my roots on a regular basis. As the admissions representative for southeast Iowa and Illinois, I get the opportunity to travel to my hometown and surrounding communities. "It's nice because I know the area and what schools are rivals with each other."

During baseball season, you can find me glued to the TV or in the bleachers at Wrigley Field, cheering on my beloved Chicago Cubs! When I'm not near the diamond, I have been known to open a cookbook or two and make a recipe I've never seen before.

While I am still learning my way around the admissions world, I am no stranger to Buena Vista University or the Iowa Conference. I am familiar with all the great opportunities BVU has to offer. Before coming to BVU, I made a couple of detours in Iowa - working as a sports anchor at KIMT in Mason City and a pharmacy technician in Urbandale. Now I'm proud to call Buena Vista University home.

If you'd like more information about how you, too, can call Buena Vista University home, feel free to give me a call or send me an e-mail.

Pat Wilsbacher

Admissions Counselor
ph: 712.749.2069
wilsbacherp@bvu.edu

I am originally from Sioux City, Iowa. I graduated from Sioux City Heelan High School in 2000. In high school I participated in wrestling and led our team to a 3rd place team trophy at the state wrestling tournament. I attended college at Buena Vista University where I graduated in 2005 with a degree in Exercise Science. While at Buena Vista I participated in wrestling. I also was involved in a youth leadership club called leadership through sports. We helped local youth participate in sports and exposed them to different athletic venues hosted by the university. I also served as a student assistant wrestling coach for one year while in college. I served as an assistant wrestling coach from 2005-2007 here at Buena Vista. While coaching I served under the master tutelage of Mark Schwab, also dubbed the "Duke."

I started in admissions in July of 2007. I enjoy working with prospective students and their families. Being a product of Buena Vista I feel that I can relate my experiences as an undergrad to potential students and help them with their college search. In my spare time I enjoy watching movies, spending time with loved ones, reading forums online, and working on music for my band. My favorite television shows are South Park, Futurama, and Nip Tuck. My favorite movie trilogy is Lord of the Rings.