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. Kim Linduska

Interim Provost

Dr. Kim Linduska will serve as Interim Provost until June 2021. As Interim Provost, working in a part-time capacity, Dr. Linduska will participate on the Satisfactory Academic Progress Committee; oversee the tenure and promotion process; address personnel issues; oversee the Provost Office budget; and oversee and mentor the four academic deans. As a Higher Learning Commission Consultant Evaluator for 20 years, she will also aid the University in preparing for its accreditation visit this spring.

Linduska earned her Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy studies, her master’s in career and technical education from Iowa State University, and her bachelor’s in special education from Augustana College. She previously enjoyed a distinguished career as an executive level administrator for more than 20 years at Des Moines Area Community College.

Jean Bral

Vice President of Extended University Programs

Jean Bral was named vice president of 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.

Kevin McIntyre

Vice President of Enrollment Management

Kevin McIntyre joined BVU in September 2018.

McIntyre has more than 30 years of experience in higher education enrollment. Before joining BVU, he served as dean of admission at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. He also held prior roles as vice president at Rosemont College, dean of enrollment management at Immaculata University, dean of admissions at Goldey-Beacom College, director of admissions and financial aid at Keystone Junior College, and assistant dean of admissions at King’s College.

McIntyre is actively involved in multiple organizations including the National Association for College Admission Counseling. He has also been a member of Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling and a scholarship program reader for Educational Testing Services.

McIntyre received his master’s of business administration from Goldey-Beacom College in Wilmington, Delaware and his bachelor’s in English at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Nick Piccolo

Interim Vice President for Student Success

Dr. Nick Piccolo joined BVU as Interim Vice President for Student Success in January 2021. Piccolo comes to BVU from Alma, Mich. where he worked at Alma College as Vice President for Student Life for 14 years. Nick retired in 2017 after a 42-year career in higher education. Nick is an accomplished student life professional, having also served at the College of Idaho as Dean of Student Affairs, Western State College of Colorado as Dean of Students, Pennsylvania State University – Mont Alto campus as Director of Student Programs and Services, among other residence life and education roles—including adjunct professor of Educational Leadership at Central Michigan University. Nick also has extensive experience in community engagement and social responsibility, human development, diversity and inclusion, chaplain services, NCAA DIII athletics, Title IX investigation, retention, and housing and conference services. 

Piccolo earned his Doctor of Education in higher education administration from Indiana University, a Master of Science in counseling/college student personnel from Shippensburg State College, and his bachelor’s in special education from Mansfield State College. 

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 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 25 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 member of the Baseball/Softball Improvement Commission, a Buena Vista Regional Medical Center Foundation board member, and an advisory board member for Heritage Bank NA.

Jack Denholm

Director of Athletics

Jack Denholm joined BVU as Director of Athletics in 2016.

Denholm brought more than 20 years of experience to BVU and came to the Beavers after serving as Director of Athletics at Valley City State University in Valley City, N.D., since 2010. 

The 1990 Wartburg College graduate worked as Director of Athletics and Dean of Students at Ellsworth College in Iowa Falls from 1999-2010. He also served Ellsworth as head wrestling coach until 2006 and directed the team to six top-10 finishes in the national tournament while spearheading a $7.5-million building project that featured an indoor track, multi-purpose gym, weight room, fitness facility, and more. Denholm earned a master’s degree in sports administration from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

The two-time wrestling All-American during his collegiate days, Denholm, a native of Parkersburg, began his professional career serving as Director of Athletics and head wrestling coach at Ridgewater College in Willmar, Minn., from 1992-99.

Dr. Bryan Kampbell

Chair of the Faculty Senate

Dr. Bryan Kampbell joined the BVU faculty in 2008 and currently serves as Associate Professor of Communication. He was named Chair of the Faculty Senate in April 2020. 

Kampbell earned his Ph.D. in rhetoric from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pa.. He holds an M.A. in German language & literature from Ohio State University and a B.A. in speech communication & German translation/interpretation from the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

At BVU, he served as Director of the Honors Program from 2009-16, during which time participation in the program increased significantly. He has served on various committees and task forces, and most recently chaired the faculty development committee. He is active in the Iowa Communication Association where he served a term on the board from 2011-15 and was honored with that organization's Outstanding New Teacher Award in 2013.

Kampbell studies communication in the public sphere, leadership, religious rhetoric, property rights, and agrarianism. He has taught courses in communication at the University of Regensburg in Germany and remains active in the field of German translation.