University Leadership

Dr. Brian Lenzmeier

President

President Lenzmeier, who joined BVU in 2003 as a Professor of Biology, was named BVU’s 19th President in Oct. 2020. He has shared his talents in many capacities on campus, moving into leadership roles as Chair of the Faculty Senate and Dean of the Faculty before assuming the role of Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs followed by Interim President. 

President Lenzmeier was named “Faculty Member of the Year” twice by BVU Student Senate and was the 2009 George Wythe Award recipient—the University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching. An advocate for rural health care and education, he has as served on the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center Community Advisory Council and the Faith, Hope and Charity Board of Directors. He currently serves on the Iowa Lakes Corridor Board of Directors and the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Task Force.

The native of Willmar, Minn. earned his Ph.D. in biochemistry from Colorado State University and holds a B.A. in biology from Saint John’s University. He also completed post-doctoral research in molecular biology at Princeton University and was a visiting research fellow in molecular medicine at the Mayo Clinic in 2011.

Dr. Heidi Manning

Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dr. Heidi Manning joined BVU as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs in July 2022. Prior to this, Manning served Misericordia University in Dallas, Pa., for five years, working as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. From 1997 to 2017, she served in a variety of administrative and faculty positions at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., including serving as Chair of the Division of Science and Mathematics.

A native of Fergus Falls, Minn., Manning has demonstrated success as a fundraiser, having worked to secure nearly $2.4 million in grants for the colleges and universities she has served. In addition to her work as a Professor of Physics, Manning has been a research scientist at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center working on flagship missions to Saturn (Cassini) and Mars (Curiosity Rover).

After earning her bachelor’s degree in physics at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn., Manning earned her Ph.D. in physics at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minn. She has received the Outstanding Alumni Award from Gustavus Adolphus, was named a HERS Fellow for women in higher education, and on four occasions has been on teams that were awarded the NASA Group Achievement Award.

Dr. Jamii Claiborne

Vice President for Student Success

Dr. Claiborne has served at BVU since 2001 and has taught classes in journalism, advertising, media literacy, and writing. For many years, she served as the faculty advisor for the award-winning campus newspaper and led the transition from print to an online publication in 2012.

She has been a member of the Iowa College Media Association, the Scholastic Press Association, and the College Media Association. She has presented at regional and national conferences on pedagogy & student engagement, civic engagement in higher education, and technology & education.

She has also served in administrative roles at BVU including associate dean for academic success, assessment, faculty development, and as a division chair.

Jean Bral

Vice President for Extended University Programs

Jean Bral was named Vice President for Extended University Programs in October 2019. Her responsibilities include directing partnerships among community college locations and graduate programs while leading enrollment, continuing education efforts, student success initiatives, and the development of strategic collaborations.

Bral has devoted her career to Buena Vista University, most recently serving as director of the University’s graduate programs after having worked as director of operations for online, site, and graduate programs from 2011-18.

Bral, who began her career in BVU’s Admissions Department, has enjoyed roles in Financial Aid and the Registrar’s Office as well.

The 1989 BVU graduate, a psychology major, is a native of Manning. Bral, who earned a master’s degree from the University of South Dakota, serves as a volunteer at The Bridge, Summit Evangelical Free Church, and with Dory, the therapy dog serving Storm Lake Middle School, where Bral also spends time as a mentor.

Dr. Brandon Johnson

Vice President for Athletics, Enrollment, and Marketing

Brandon Johnson joined BVU as Vice President for Athletics, Enrollment, and Marketing in May 2022. Johnson is 2004 BVU graduate who began his career as an Admissions Counselor at BVU. He most recently served as Vice President for Enrollment Management & Career Placement at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tenn., from 2018 to 2022. Prior to that, he served in vice presidential and directorial roles at the University of Mary in Leavenworth, Kan., and Avila University in Kansas City, Mo.

Johnson is a proven leader in enrollment growth, having contributed to successes at Tennessee Technological, which admitted the most freshmen in school history during his time. At Avila, Johnson’s team worked to boost full-time traditional undergraduate enrollment by 20 percent. Full-time undergraduate fall enrollment at St. Mary grew by 30 percent in his time at the school, a statistic that resulted in the largest full-time enrollment in school history.

Johnson, who was raised on a farm near Alta, has a Ph.D. in educational leadership from Baker University. He earned a master’s degree in education from the University of St. Mary and a certificate in professional fundraising from Boston University.

Suzette Radke

Vice President for Finance and Administration

Suzette Radke was named Vice President for Finance and Administration in 2016.

She holds a bachelor's degree in leisure services and physical education from Wartburg College, a bachelor's degree in accounting from BVU and a master's degree in professional accountancy from the University of South Dakota, Vermillion. Radke has also received a certificate in advanced education leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Institute for Management and Leadership in Education.

Radke's career at BVU spans 34 years, including roles as an accountant, accounting manager and controller, and most recently director of business services and controller. Since 2012, she has served as an adjunct faculty member in BVU's Harold Walter Siebens School of Business, teaching Governmental and not-for-profit accounting.

Radke also manages the accounting for a family farm and is actively involved in the community as a Board of Director for the Iowa Student Loan Commission, a Buena Vista Regional Medical Center Foundation board member, and has served on the Storm Lake Childcare Strategic Planning Committee.

Robin Wissink

Vice President for Advancement Operations

Robin Wissink was named Vice President for Advancement Operations in April 2025.

With over 24 years of experience in fundraising and donor relations, Wissink brings a wealth of expertise in major gifts, planned giving, and strategic philanthropy to this leadership role.

Robin has been a dedicated member of the BVU community for many years, previously serving as Executive Director of Development. Throughout her career, she has successfully led fundraising initiatives, securing transformational six- and seven-figure gifts that have directly contributed to institutional growth and student success.

Robin’s professional background includes leadership roles at Des Moines University and Buena Vista University, where she managed major donor portfolios, developed comprehensive stewardship programs, and played a key role in securing significant philanthropic investments. Her expertise extends to corporate and foundation relations, volunteer development, and university strategic planning.
 

Dr. Steven Mills

Chair of the Faculty Senate 

Dr. Steven Mills joined the BVU faculty in 2011 and currently serves as a Professor of Spanish.

Dr. Mills earned his bachelor's degree in Spanish in 2005 and his master's degree in Spanish literature in 2007 from Brigham Young University. He went on to earn his Ph.D. in Spanish literature in 2011 at Purdue University.

He is an expert in Peninsular literature, focusing on works from the early nineteenth century to modern times. His research spans prominent authors such as José de Espronceda, Miguel de Unamuno, Antonio Machado, and Jean-Paul Sartre, with a particular interest in the intersections between literature and cognitive science.

Dr. Mills has a history of service at the university. He has served on the Faculty Administration Committee, including a term as Chair, and was previously Chair of the Faculty Welfare Committee during his time on the Faculty Senate. He currently serves as Chair of the Faculty Senate.

Dedicated to fostering academic excellence, Dr. Mills advises two honor societies: Sigma Delta Pi, the Spanish honor society, and Alpha Chi, the interdisciplinary honor society. His passion for experiential learning extends to his role as Travel Director, where he oversees May Term travel courses, coordinates study abroad programs, and chairs the McCorkle Committee. He has also initiated a Spanish/Pre-Med medical service trip in collaboration with physicians from Spencer, IA, offering students hands-on experience in Spanish-speaking countries, with a recent trip to Peru and plans to continue the program.