Get to Know our 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. 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. In her spare time, she loves to read and create beautiful things, including cards and quilts.
Dawn Schmidli
Life Directions Nursing Advisor
Dawn Schmidli holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Oklahoma Christian University and a master's degree in professional counseling from Oklahoma City University. She is a wife, mom, and counselor and has worked in a variety of settings as a Licensed Professional Counselor. She also served as a classroom tutor and a director in the Denver Classical Conversations community through many years of homeschooling. Dawn enjoys incorporating her education and life experiences into her position with the LDC team advising nursing students.
Kristin Wright
Life Directions Academic Advisor and Ministry Hours Coordinator
Kristin Wright has a heart for helping students and has served in various roles and capacities at CCU, including in the Student Life Office, Admissions, and now the Life Directions Center. Wright brings a passion for supporting students in their life journey and many years of experience working with young adults. She earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Wheaton College and a master's degree in College Student Affairs from Azusa Pacific University, and she has spent many summers on staff at Christian camps. Wright has discipled young people as a Young Life leader and a church youth group leader. She met her husband working at a Christian summer camp, and they now both enjoy the ministry of raising their two daughters. In her spare time, Wright can be found enjoying coffee and meals with family and friends, walking her dog Max, and singing (mostly in the car).
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.
Elita Hester
Student Success service Coordinator
Elita Hester has a heart for neurodiversity and has served in various roles and capacities in this field. She is a CCU alum and holds a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management and Christian Leadership. She is passionate about serving others and allowing God to use her voice for those who do not always have or feel empowered to use their voice. She spends her free time busy with her husband, eight children and three grandchildren. She also enjoys singing, dancing and worshiping God.
Katie Jensen
Graduate Assistant for Student Success Services
Katie Jensen has a Bachelor's degree in Animal Science and worked for two years in a veterinary office. She is currently in the CCU Clinical Counseling Master's program pursuing a degree in counseling with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. Katie loves kids and has a passion for helping others. Besides going to the beach every chance she gets, Katie loves to ride horses and dance, especially ballet.