Student Leadership
Hello, my name is Mariah Neilson, a senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Global Cultural Studies. I am from Rancho Cucamonga, California. At Concordia, I have been involved in many different things. I was a part of the Around the World Semester, where I studied in 10 different countries, learning the culture, history and language, while serving the communities. I was a Resident Assistant my junior year and also worked in Concordia's Office of Global Programs as an intern. I still work in our Office of Global Programs but have been promoted from intern to Student Events Coordinator, I also work in the school's library. On top of my busy schedule with work and school, I love making time to spend with friends and my wonderful fiance, who is the Night of Hope Technical Director. I am the Executive Producer of Night of Hope. I love this event and I love Heavenly Treasures. HT is an organization near and dear to my heart, I have worked with them in many ways in the past, including going to Kenya and working with two of the livelihood projects. It is so amazing to see students who are passionate about Christ and passionate about helping others come together and work with bands and vendors to put on a night of the arts in order to help others. I am honored to be this year's Executive Producer and look forward to an amazing night. God's love transcends borders, cultures and nations, we can share that love by bringing hope to the hopeless.
My name is Zoë Litzenberg, and I am from San Diego, CA. I am a Humanities major with an emphasis in Creative Writing, and I participate in music (The Donne de Canto), theatre, Abbey West (FUSION), and the Honors Program here at Concordia. I am the Assistant to the Executive Director for NOH, and I am so excited to be involved in this event. Night of Hope is an opportunity to share the Love of Christ as a whole body of Christ -- as students, faculty, and community in one family of God. The event provides a means to serve those who are in need across the world, and who we as a Concordia family could not reach otherwise. I am so honored to be a part of such an important and beautiful mission: to share the Light of Christ, and the Hope of the Gospel.
Hello everyone! My name is Aaron Lucas. I am a senior studying theology at CUI. Although I have lived in many different places across the US, I call Irvine, California my home. I have been doing sound and lighting for a few years, doing many concerts and performances. I am excited to be the Technical Director for Night of Hope. This will be my third year doing sound and lighting. I look forward to an amazing night. Heavenly Treasures is an incredible organization working hard to bring God's love across the globe.
Hi, my name is Alyssa Vossler, I am from Santa Barbara CA. I am a Senior at Concordia University Irvine. I am a Liberal Studies major with an emphasis in Christ College in hopes of becoming an Elementary School Teacher at a Lutheran School. I am currently working on my California State Teaching Credential and will begin student teaching next fall. I am currently involved in our on campus ministry abbeywest as a Peer Minister in the freshmen dorms. I am a Tour Ambassador in undergraduate admissions. I am also the Vice- President of Omicron Delta Kappa the National Leadership and Honor Society. Throughout my years at Concordia I have also been involved in ACTS which stands for Acclaiming Christ through Theater and Service, where I would perform Christ centered skits at churches and schools. I am the Volunteer Coordinator for Night of Hope. I am looking forward to working with all the amazing volunteers who are donating their time, energy, and passion to an amazing event. I am excited to help an amazing charity and give back to the community. Night of Hope is a great opportunity to gain a global perspective and understanding of different cultures.
Hello, my name is Shea Frates and I am from Orange County, California. I was born in Anaheim, was a former Miss Tustin, and currently live in Irvine so I have lived in a variety of places in Southern California. I am a transfer student at Concordia University Irvine where I am pursuing my bachelors degree in Mass Communications. During my first year at Concordia, I was a member of our national award winning speech and debate team. I also served as a journalist for the Concordia Courier. As for work related purposes, I am the social media intern in the Marketing and Communications department as well as a student blogger. I am heavily involved with Global Village, Concordia's international living learning community, and the Global Citizens Club. I am the Marketing & Advertising Director for Night of Hope and I am so excited to take our marketing to the next level. I am running a full scale marketing campaign which includes launching the website, creating social media profiles, and press releases just to name a few. I have a really great crew that I am working with who have not only reinvented the logo to appeal to a wider audience, but they are also creating some high quality promo videos designing our marketing material. Shout out to Alexis, Ashley, Eric, Jonathan, and Miguel, I wouldn't have been able to do it without you guys.
My name is Nokukhanya Shabalala but I go by ‘Noks.’ I am from Durban, South Africa, a Communication major also doing a Pre-Deaconess Program with Christ College. I am a Community Outreach Coordinator for NOH and I am excited to be part of NOH as I get to partake in raising awareness about the great works of Heavenly Treasures in rescuing victims of human trafficking and orphans and thus help bring hope to the beneficiaries of the organization around the world. Christ has called us to love one another as he loves us and even though we cannot go to different parts of the world and embrace our brothers and sisters in their struggle we are able to love them through NOH by raising awareness and raising funds for their cause.
My name is Kendra Sitton and I am a second-year communications major interested in writing for a non-profit after graduation. I am from Jamul, which is in the far southeast corner of San Diego County. Since coming to Concordia, I have written for the Concordia Courier, joined Global Citizens Club and been heavily involved in Abbey West. Working as a student blogger, Missions Coordinator and assistant in the Marketing & Communications office at CUI has kept me busy. I make sure to leave time to go to DisneyLand, Rock Harbor church and the dollar theater with my roommates. Last year I helped advertise NoH to local churches, schools and business while being the only freshman on the committee. This year, I am the Church Outreach Coordinator for Night of Hope. This job helps Night of Hope send more profits to the charity and connects attendees to awesome organizations in the Orange County area. Night of Hope is a wonderful event that connects a wide variety of people to international needs that they can uniquely fill. I'm excited to help facilitate this fun but also meaningful experience!
My name is Jenni Conlin and I'm from Santa Clarita, California. I am an early childhood education major, and a technical theatre minor. I am involved in a number of things on this campus including FIKISHA Club presidency, I'm the chapel coordinator for abbey west, I do sound design and operations for the theatre department, and I work in the admissions office. This is my third year working for Night of Hope, but my first year as the Lighting Designer. I look forward to getting a chance to work in a different technical aspect than I am used to, and seeing how it all pulls together!
Hello! My name is Halli Goolsby. I am a senior at CUI. I am from Little Rock, Arkansas. At Concordia I am our Worship Coordinator for Abbeywest and am involved in many other things on campus. For Night of Hope, I am the Hospitality Director. I will be working to setup the technical needs for Night of Hope. These needs include guest artists, set list for the event and all of the background work that is required for these pieces to function. I am so excited to get to be a part of this wonderful event that brings together music, art and the community in support of an incredible cause, Heavenly Treasures!
Hello! My name is Ashley Bell. While I have lived in many California cities, different states, and other countries, I currently live in Camarillo, California. I am a junior Graphic Design major with a minor in Marketing at Concordia University Irvine. I am also a member of Concordia’s cross country and track teams and a part of the web team for Concordia’s Marketing Department. I am very blessed to be pursuing both of my passions, art and running, in my favorite place to live—Orange County! I’m thankful to have been given the opportunity to be involved with Night of Hope! I am helping out with the website and graphics for Night of Hope’s Marketing and Advertising side. I have not had the chance to attend Night of Hope in my past two years at Concordia, so I am looking forward to going this year!
Hello peoples! This is Jonathan Serrano from Westchester County, New York. I am a Junior transfer in the Mass Communications major. Although this is my first year at Concordia I have already been involved with the Concordia Courier as a staff writer and videographer as well as working with the school library in creating tutorial videos for the student staff. That probably hints at how I am helping with Night of Hope. I am doing some of the videography in the marketing campaign for the event. Since I am new to Concordia I am excited to see all the ins and outs of the process of a major school event here. I also heard great things about the previous years of Night of Hope and its sounds like this year’s event will be even better! I will do the best that I can in making sure that happens.
My name is Miguel Mejia and I am from Santa Ana, CA. I am a junior at Concordia University of Irvine and I am majoring in Marketing major and Graphic Design Minor. I am part of the web team for the school and I also have experience with videos. I enjoy music and running for hobbies and my favorite food is pizza! This year it is an honor to assist in Night of Hope. I was asked to make a promo video(s) for the event. I can't wait to see te event come to life.