Meet our team.

DIRECTOR

Derek and Taylor have served at Northern Iowa Chi Alpha since May 2018.

Derek and Taylor are both UNI graduates. Derek graduated with a Secondary Education degree in 2018 while Taylor graduated with an Elementary Education degree in 2017. They were both strong leaders in Chi Alpha as students and answered the call of God to pursue a career in Chi Alpha after graduation. In May 2020, they became the Directors of Northern Iowa Chi Alpha and they are excited to see what God has in store for the future of Chi Alpha.

Derek and Taylor are known for contending for the hearts of students. They love to call students into their God-given potential and see them realize their callings to be sons and daughters of God.

CMIT DIRECTOR

Joel has served at Northern Iowa Chi Alpha since August 2022. Lelu interned with Chi Alpha in 2023-2024 and has been a volunteer staff since.

Both Joel and Lelu are UNI graduates. Joel graduated with a degree in English in 2022, and Lelu graduated with a degree in Interior Design in 2023. After transferring to UNI their junior years, they were quick to jump into leadership and follow God’s leading into ministry.

Joel and Lelu are known for their innovative nature, always thinking of new ideas and ways to lead people better. They have a drive to win students on the campus to Jesus and are passionate about seeing other Chi Alphas planted in the future!

PROGRAMS DIRECTOR

Aaron has served with Northern Iowa Chi Alpha since August of 2021.

Aaron graduated from UNI in 2021 with a degree in Music Education. Aaron was a leader within Chi Alpha throughout his time in college and also has filled a huge role on our worship team for several years! He married his wife, Alyssa, in the summer of 2023.

Aaron is known for his passion to succeed in everything he does and his love for the guys that he leads. He has a heart for missions to see the nations reached through students at UNI.

ASSOCIATE PASTOR

Amber has served at Northern Iowa Chi Alpha since August 2022.

She graduated from UNI in 2022 with a degree in Family Services. Amber was a strong leader during her time in Chi Alpha and loved her peers well. She married her husband, Jacob, in the winter of 2021.

Amber is known for her excellence in all she does and having a tender heart for students! She has a heart that wants to please God and do what it takes to be close to Jesus.

ASSOCIATE PASTOR

Keziah has served at Northern Iowa Chi Alpha since August 2022.

She graduated from UNI in 2022 with a degree in Social Work. During her time in college, she passionately fought to see those farthest from Jesus come closer to Him as a student leader, as well as served faithfully on our worship team. She married her husband, Forrest, in the summer of 2021.

Keziah is known for her bold love and servant heart. She always lends a hand to those in need and continually lays her life down for others.

ASSOCIATE STAFF

Shekynah has served at Northern Iowa Chi Alpha since August of 2024.

Shekynah graduated from UNI in 2024 with a degree in Computer Science. She helped lead numerous young women as a student leader during her time in college and impacted the ministry through her production and tech skills. She married her husband, Jordan, in the summer of 2024.

Shekynah is known for her generosity shown through her friendships and is always willing to lay her life down for others. She passionately follows Jesus and uses her gifts to serve the campus.

Campus Missionaries in Training

Our CMITs have been serving since August of 2024. All six of them served as small group leaders within Chi Alpha as students before their internship!

This year, each of them has decided to give a year back to the campus! The CMIT is a nine month internship program designed to train and equip future missionaries, campus pastors, and marketplace workers.

Our 2024-2025 interns are (from left to right) Megan Shaffer, Luke Dostal, Carli Dostal, Shekynah Upmeyer, Samantha Davis, and Jarrett Pritchett.