Meet the Life Directions Center Team
Jason Shipman
Director of life directions center
Jason Shipman joined the LDC team in 2022 after serving at Life Pacific University for 14 years and in pastoral ministry for 25 years. His passion is to create learning environments where students can identify their calling, strengths, and gifts and put them into practice to succeed educationally and develop practical skills to be effective in the marketplace and ministry. Jason possesses two Bachelor's degrees in Engineering and Theology and a Master's degree in Education in College Student Affairs. When you see Jason off campus, he typically has a fly rod or volleyball in his hands and loves spending quality time with his wonderful wife, Amy, and his three children Olivia, Selah, and Gabriel.
Kayla Duley
Assistant Director of Life Directions Center
Kayla Duley joined the LDC team in 2017. She graduated from CCU with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Interpersonal Communication. After graduating, Duley completed her Master of Science in Counseling/School Counseling. She has enjoyed working with students ranging from middle school through college and the adult students at CCU in her past role as a student service advisor for the College of Adult and Graduate Studies. Duley has supported students in a variety of roles in the Life Directions Center. She brings a passion for helping students develop their strengths and explore their life calling. Duley enjoys spending time with her husband, dog, family and friends, exploring Colorado.
Crystal Rants
Coordinator of Life DIRECTIONS Center
Crystal Rants has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and 20 years of experience in the field of Christian Education. Prior to joining the team at CCU, she served as a Director and as a Support Representative with Classical Conversations in Miami, Colorado Springs, and the Denver area. For much of that time she also served as a military spouse to her husband Kevin, and is mom to Kinsley, Cody, Casey, and Kelly. Her heart for equipping and encouraging students led to establishing and running a tutoring service for six years, focusing on the areas of high school mathematics and Spanish. Crystal is a certified PraiseMoves instructor, sharing her love for the Word of God in classes with students across the United States. Her primary work in the LDC is to act as the liaison for new student registration and to oversee Student Staff development. Currently, Crystal is pursuing a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at CCU. She loves to read and create beautiful things, including cards and quilts.
Heather Jones
Student Success Service Coordinator
Heather earned her Master of Education degree in 2020 and her Master of Biology in 2022. She is currently pursuing her PhD in psychology with an emphasis on education and neurotrauma. She has taught science and music in the middle school and high school classroom for over 10 years as well as held various roles serving neurodiverse learners. She is currently working as an adjunct professor in the CCU School of Science and Engineering. As a former foster mom and current adoptive mom, both her professional and personal life have been spent advocating for those who have no voice. In her free time, Heather loves catching up with friends over a good cup of coffee, reading good books and spending time outside with her young children.
Emily Harris
Life Directions Academic Advisor
Emily Harris has a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from CCU. Prior to joining the LDC team, she worked as a missionary with United World Mission and GoTEN in Phoenix, Arizona. Emily is passionate about equipping the church to understand God's Word and listen to his voice. She is excited to help students follow the voice of God as he directs them throughout their college years. She enjoys spending her free time reading, hiking, working on home projects with her husband, and watching the TV show 24.
Toby Lee
Life Directions Academic Advisor
Toby Lee has a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies and Biblical Studies from CCU. He has a passion for God’s global work and has travelled to several countries. He is excited about equipping students to fulfill their callings and impact the world. He enjoys spending his free time with friends and family, watching sports, all things Spain, playing guitar, and watching movies.
Hank Shuler
Life Directions Academic Advisor
Hank earned his bachelor’s degree in management information systems from Olivet Nazarene University where he met his wife, Hayley. Hank is currently pursuing a master’s in clinical mental health counseling at CCU with a focus in marriage and family therapy. Hank’s three years as a residential advisor at Olivet ignited his passion for higher education, mentoring, and student development. He loves guiding students in the topic of Life Calling, meaning, and matching one’s puzzle piece with the correct space. Alongside equipping students in his academic advisory role, Shuler enjoys shooting photography with his wife, backpacking, all things soccer, China, medieval combat sports, and playing guitar.