“Rachel’s love for Hesston College, academic training and experience, connections with Mennonite youth and the broader church, creativity and leadership skills will serve her and Hesston College well,” said President Keim.
Swartzendruber Miller has been Director of Mennonite Church USA Convention Planning since 2009. Her responsibilities include planning and overseeing operations for the churchwide biennial conventions. She will continue in this role through the July 2011 convention. She served as Associate Director of Convention Planning from 2006 to 2009.
“Rachel has been an inspiration to me as Director of Convention Planning,” said Glen Guyton, Director for Constituent Resources at Mennonite Church USA. “Her love for the church and its people is evident. She conveys the vision of Mennonite Church USA in such an infectious way, which comes across in the biennial conventions. The attention to detail, the feeling of connectedness and, most of all, the love of Christ all shine through.”
Prior to joining the Mennonite Church USA Executive Board staff, Swartzendruber Miller served as admissions counselor at Hesston College from 2002 to 2004. She was also director of the student ambassador program and assistant volleyball coach during that time. From 2004 to 2006 she was a graduate teaching assistant in the Elliott School of Communication at Wichita (Kan.) State University and the WSU assistant debate coach.
“Returning to Hesston College for professional reasons has always been a dream of mine,” said Swartzendruber Miller. “It truly feels like I am coming home. Hesston is a place that lives out its mission and consistently ‘walks their talk.’ I am excited to join a faculty and staff who are committed to Anabaptist values and putting students first. I am also excited about joining a team of educators and professionals who have worked hard to achieve a number two ranking among two-year colleges across the United States.”
Swartzendruber Miller earned an associate degree from Hesston, a bachelor’s in communication from Goshen (Ind.) College and a master’s in communication from Wichita State University. She is a Ph.D. candidate in leadership with an emphasis in higher education administration through Andrews University (Berrien Springs, Mich.).
Swartzendruber Miller will soon relocate to Hesston from Phoenix with her husband, Tyson, and son, Oliver.