Meet our team.
Chi Alpha is led by a team of full-time campus missionaries. They all attended UNI and have a passion for the college students of Northern Iowa. Learn more about them below!
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Joel + Lelu Allen
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. After serving on the team for several years, they became the Directors of Northern Iowa Chi Alpha in May 2026, and they are excited to see what God has in store for the future of Chi Alpha.
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!
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Hope Knoerle
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Hope has served at Northern Iowa Chi Alpha since August 2025.
Hope first got involved in Chi Alpha in fall of 2022. Shortly after, she rededicated her life to Christ and went all in on her relationship with God. She graduated from UNI in 2025 with a degree in Interactive Digital Studies. Hope was a strong leader during her time as a student in Chi Alpha and loved her peers well. She interned with Chi Alpha in 2025 and became the Associate Director in May 2026.
Hope is known for her excellence in all she does and having a tender heart for students! She is passionate about discipleship and helping students grow a personal relationship with Jesus.
2025-2026 Interns
The CMIT (Campus Missionaries in Training) is a nine month internship program designed to train and equip future missionaries, campus pastors, and marketplace workers.
Maggie Kats CMIT I
Samatha Davis CMIT II
Megan Shaffer CMIT II