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Staff

Headshot of Mindy SmithMindy Smith

Director of Church Engagement
509.777.4341
mindysmith@whitworth.edu

The Rev. Mindy Smith graduated from Whitworth in 1998. She was a theology major, was actively involved in Young Life during her time at Whitworth and served on YL staff in Spokane following her graduation. From there, she went on to Princeton Theological Seminary and earned her M.Div. in 2006. In summer 2008, Smith received a call to serve as campus pastor at Whitworth. For 10 years she developed ministry programs at the university, taught pastoral care and ministry training classes, and preached regularly during weekly community chapel. In May 2018, she graduated with a doctorate in ministry from Portland Seminary and transitioned on to serve as the associate director in the Whitworth Office of Church Engagement. She has since been appointed as the director of the OCE. In addition, Mindy directs the Whitworth Ministry Summit, taking place at the end of June each year, and coordinates the Calling Community program. These communities are distinct groups within the network of partner churches, each focused on different areas in which their church is committed to grow and learn.

Headshot of Lauren HunterLauren Hunter

Associate Director
509.777.4437
lhunter@whitworth.edu

Lauren graduated from Whitworth in 2014. She has her bachelor's in theology and a master's of divinity from Duke Divinity School where she focused on Reformed theology, the interplay between art and theology, and campus ministry. She now serves as the associate director of Whitworth’s Office of Church Engagement, where she directs grant projects that resource the local church in areas of church resilience and child faith formation. She also hosts conversations around the church and belonging for OCE’s podcast, Where We Belong, and is pursuing ordination in the Presbyterian tradition. She is married to her husband, Josiah, and has the best daughter, Finley, who teaches her so much about God.

Headshot of Rachelle HartvigsenRachelle Hartvigsen

Assistant Director of Grants and Finances
509.777.3275
rhartvigsen@whitworth.edu 

Rachelle Hartvigsen joined the OCE staff in February 2019. A 1994 alum, she moved to Spokane to attend Whitworth and never left! Rachelle spent many years in youth ministry, earned an M.Ed. and worked as a middle school counselor, and spent several years as a stay-at-home mom before returning to work on campus. She and her husband worship at Whitworth Church with their three children. Currently in a season of parenting teenagers, Rachelle tries to squeeze in time for hobbies like gardening, knitting and photography.

Headshot of Alexis PerryAlexis Perry

Assistant Director of Communications
509.777.4439
aperry@whitworth.edu

Alexis grew up in the Wenatchee Valley and completed her undergraduate degree at Gonzaga University. She spent a few years working in marketing before deciding to pursue graduate work in literature. She graduated from Washington State University in 2018 with a master of arts in literature – and promptly returned to a career in marketing and communications. She came to Whitworth in 2018 and spent a year in the marketing & communications office before joining the staff in the OCE. She enjoys reading, writing, hiking and exploring Spokane. She is married to CJ. Together they have two sons and a very playful pup.

Headshot of Terry McGonigalTerry McGonigal

Senior Fellow, Grants & Finances
tmcgonigal@whitworth.edu 

Terry McGonigal has served at Whitworth for 25 years. He spent 20 years as dean of spiritual life and five years as director of church engagement (OCE). Terry has recently transitioned to the role of Senior Fellow for Grants & Finances as he eases into retirement. During his tenure at Whitworth, he regularly traveled with undergraduate students to Central America and Hawaii for intensive educational experiences. His research interests include the Gospel of John and the biblical theology of John. Terry relaxes on the beach in Southern California or on his bike doing long-distance rides with friends and family. He is married to Suzette and has three married children and seven grandchildren.   

Headshot of Jerry SittserGerald Sittser

Senior Fellow, Church History & Culture
gsittser@whitworth.edu

Jerry specializes in the history of Christianity, Christian spirituality and religion in American public life. His Jan Term course, Monasticism: Old and New, met for many years in the wintry beauty of Tall Timber, a Christian camp located in a remote area of the Cascade Mountain range. Students lived together for three weeks, followed a modified Benedictine Rule and explored various spiritual traditions that have emerged throughout the history of Christian monasticism. He founded the Certification for Ministry program, the Master of Arts in Theology Program and the Academy of Christian Discipleship. Now an emeritus professor, he still serves part time as a senior fellow in the Office of Church Engagement, where he works closely with pastors and churches. He has written nine books, among them A Grace Disguised, A Grace Revealed, The Will of God as a Way of Life and Water from a Deep Well. In fall 2019, Resilient Faith: How the Early Christian "Third Way" Changed the World was published, which explores how the early Christian movement developed such a clear and unique identity in the ancient world and, against all odds, grew into a formidable force long before Christianity became a legally recognized religion. He enjoys music, literature, hiking, gardening and woodworking, and he attends the Oregon Shakespeare Festival every year with his family. Married to Patricia since 2010, he has three married children, two married stepchildren and eight grandchildren.