Bethel Seminary
St. Paul Admissions and Recruitment Staff
Joseph
Valentine Dworak, M.A.
Trans-Regional Director of Admissions
As the Trans-Regional Director, Joseph oversees all Admissions and Recruitment efforts for all locations of Bethel Seminary. Before becoming the Trans-Regional Director of Admissions and Recruitment, Joseph served as the Director of Admissions and Recruitment for Bethel Seminary for four years. Prior to that role, he was the Associate Director of Recruitment for Bethel Seminary’s Leadership Vision initiative. He also served two years as a legislative correspondent for former U.S. Senator Rod Grams in Washington, D.C., and was community ministries director for a church in the Twin Cities. Joseph is certified as a Gallup StrengthsFinder consultant and enjoys working with students and organizations to help them maximize their strengths. He completed his M.A.T.S. degree at Bethel Seminary. When he isn’t providing leadership and direction for Bethel’s recruitment efforts, Joseph enjoys coaching volleyball, running, and hanging out with his wife Danielle.
Contact Joseph
Email: j-dworak@bethel.edu
Phone:
651.638.6288
Sara Wilhelm
Associate Director of Admissions and Recruitment
Sara serves as our Associate Director of Admissions and Recruitment, overseeing the day-to day functioning of the office and our recruitment efforts. Sara also travels to conferences, visits colleges and universities to connect with prospective students, and enjoys meeting with people and getting excited with them about their journey. Connecting everyone with the best seminary degree option for them at Bethel Seminary is a particular favorite of Sara’s. If you are thinking about Bethel’s Traditional (Residential) or SemPM (Monday nights) degree programs, please give her a call or e-mail her! In addition to her role in the Office of Admissions and Recruitment, Sara is also working to complete her Master of Divinity degree at Bethel Seminary with an emphasis in classical studies. In her spare time (when she’s not studying or working), Sara enjoys spending time with friends and family, hiking, running, kayaking, eating good food, speaking to groups of all sizes, and savoring life. She is passionate about being part of life transformation and is looking forward to connecting with you soon!
Contact Sara
Email: sara-wilhelm@bethel.edu
Phone: 651.638.6089
Jack
Hallman, M.A.
Admissions Counselor
Jack has been part of the admissions staff for more than 10 years. As a seasoned veteran, Jack enjoys connecting students with degree programs here at Bethel Seminary. If you are considering the Doctor of Ministry or InMinistry (distance) program, you will want to connect with him. Jack holds an M.A. in church history from Wheaton College. Jack specializes in doing church visits, working to build bridges between congregations and Bethel Seminary. Jack enjoys spending time outside of work with his wife Ellen.
Contact Jack
Email: j-hallman@bethel.edu
Phone: 651.638.6321
Jeanne Johnson
Coordinator of Admissions Services
Jeanne is the coordinator of admissions services and is the smiling face that will welcome you to Bethel Seminary when you come for a visit. Use our online form to schedule a campus visit. Contact Jeanne if you need a packet of information on Bethel Seminary. If you have any questions, Jeanne will know how to help you. Jeanne is a mother of three and has been married to Mark for more than 20 years. She is a chef and party-planner extraordinaire. She hopes to meet you soon!
Contact Jeanne
Email: bsem-admit@bethel.edu
Phone: 651.638.6288
Kathy Houseman, M.A.
Children and Family Ministries Program Recruiter
Kathy has worked as the recruitment coordinator for the Children’s & Family Ministry program for the past five years. She enjoys helping students see how they can acquire an advanced degree and still maintain their ministry through the InMinistry option. Prior to her work at Bethel, she recruited for a seminary and Christian university in South Dakota. Kathy has an M.A. in educational ministries from North American Baptist Seminary, and like the students she recruits, Kathy wears many hats—wife, mom, Sunday school teacher, and ministry team leader. When she gets a free moment she enjoys going for coffee; hanging out with her family (Tony, Allie, and Eli); and reading a good novel.
Contact Kathy
Email: k-houseman@bethel.edu
Phone: 612-240-4895
Sarah Tommerdahl
Intern Recruiter
Sara recently joined the team as our recruiting intern. She is learning the ropes at Bethel Seminary and how better to encourage YOU to attend Bethel. Sarah is a transfer student at Bethel University where she is completing her undergrad degree in business with a minor in leadership. When Sarah isn’t working or studying, she spends her time playing on Bethel’s soccer team and meeting new people.
Contact Sarah
Email: sarah-tommerdahl@bethel.edu
Michelle Spilde
Office Intern
Michelle is our office intern. When she isn’t assembling information packets, entering documents, or organizing our office to make us more efficient, Michelle spends her time as an undergraduate student at Bethel University. She is in her second year at Bethel and is majoring in political science with a minor in philosophy. She hopes one day to bake all of the time and be a manager for a U.S. Senator.