FUTURE STUDENTS » ADMISSIONS » Staff

Our staff members are here to make the entire Admissions process as easy as possible.

Mel Walker
Vice President for Enrollment & External Relations
570.585.9270
mwalker@bbc.edu

Mel is a BBC ('76 B.R.E.) and BBS ('96, M.Min.) graduate who has a deep love for BBC and for students. He is an author, speaker, teacher, veteran ministry and church leader, and president of Vision For Youth, an international network for youth ministry. Mel and his wife, Peggy, are the parents of three grown children - all of whom are BBC graduates: Kristi ('00), a missionary in Germany; Todd ('03), a Vision For Youth missionary; and Travis ('04), a youth pastor in Indiana. The couple is active in Heritage Baptist Church in Clarks Summit, PA where Mel leads the college-age young adult ministry.

Sean MacPherson
Director of Enrollment
570.585.9389
smacpherson@bbc.edu

Sean MacPherson was born in Wilmington, DE and is a 1996 graduate of BBC. He and his wife Meredith have three children: Carlee, 8; Conner, 5; and Cassie, 2. Most recently, Sean served as a youth pastor at Grace Bible Church in Chattanooga, TN. He joined the Admissions team at BBC because he believes strongly in BBC’s mission to prepare young people for ministry. In his spare time, he enjoys his family and taking in a game. His hobbies include golf, hunting, fishing, and anything else outdoors. Sean’s favorite scripture passage is 2 Chronicles 16:9a: “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”

Drew Whipple
Director of Graduate and Online Enrollment
570.585.9370
awhipple@bbc.edu

Drew was born in Clarks Summit while his parents were dorm parents in Christen Hall. He grew up in Lafayette, IN. In 2000 he graduated from BBC and married his best friend Lisel. Together they served seven years in youth ministry, five years in his hometown of Lafayette and two years in an English speaking church in Kobe, Japan. His favorite activities include reading, spending time with the family, roasting coffee, watching movies, traveling, and talking to people about BBC. He is currently working on his master’s degree and believes strongly that, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Proverbs 9:10).

Jared Hawn
Supervisor Support Services
570.585.9271
jhawn@bbc.edu

Jared is originally from Massachusetts and is the youngest of four.  He values clear communication and good customer service and enjoys using his skills in those areas as he interacts with prospective students. He enjoys running, international cuisine, history and worldview studies, and music. Rather than a singular favored passage of scripture, Jared says, “I enjoy every aspect of Scripture’s grand meta-narrative, from Genesis to Revelation, as it paints a glorious picture of God’s perfect plan to bring glory to Himself through the unmerited redemption of His creation through Christ’s all-sufficient sacrifice.”

Renee Barrows
Assistant Support Services
570.585.9380
rbarrows@bbc.edu

Renee is originally from Pottstown, PA, but now resides on the BBC campus as Resident Director of Thomson Hall. She came to BBC as a student and graduated in 2010. Prior to working in admissions she worked at the Scranton Counseling center with behavioral needs children. Working in Admissions with people who are striving to glorify God in all that they do is a special blessing for her. She and her husband Ken are members of Heritage Baptist Church in Clarks Summit, where they work with the senior high youth.

Charity Smith
Assistant Admissions Counselor
570.585.9385
csmith@bbc.edu

Charity grew up in Lake Ariell, PA, a little sister to two older brothers. Before joing the Admissions team she was finishing up her degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education at BBC. She enjoys working with rest of the team, interacting with current students, and encouraging prospective students in their walk with Christ. Some things she like doing outside of work are running, hiking, kayaking and cooking. A favorite scripture passage for Charity is Psalm 139.

Geoff Ellsworth
Admissions Counselor
570.585.9246
gellsworth@bbc.edu

Geoff was born in Scranton, PA, but spent most of his life in Southern California.  He and his wife Susan have two children - Connor and BayLynn. Geoff has served as a youth pastor and as a worship and arts pastor for the last 16 years in two churches in Southern California. He loves loves spending time with his family, riding motorcycles or bicycles, and playing soccer, tennis or basketball. His passions are the local church and development of spiritual leaders.A favorite verses, and one he considers to be the most radical verse for us in all of Scripture is Proverbs 3:5, 6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths."

Bryan Baxter
Admissions Counselor
570.585.9328
bbaxter@bbc.edu

Bryan grew up in Tulsa, OK. He attended Oklahoma State University and later worked as a full-time tennis teaching professional and manager of a tennis and fitness club. He moved to Pennsylvania in 2007 to pursue his Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership and then moved back to Oklahomawith his wife Lindsay. He returned to BBC in 2012 in hopes of encouraging the next generation of students to pursue a solid Bible education and to become grounded in their faith. He enjoys rock climbing, hiking, tennis, weight lifting, reading, and coffee as well as rooting for his beloved Oklahoma State Cowboys. His life verse is Ezekiel 22:30: “So I looked for a man among them who would stand before the wall on behalf of the land but I found no one.”

Ethan Strickland
Admissions Counselor
570.585.9257
estrickland@bbc.edu

Ethan Strickland was born and raised in the Akron, OH area growing up in the church where his father has been the pastor for 21 years. He came to BBC as a student in 2008 and became involved in many areas including Student Leadership Council, dorm Resident Assistant, youth ministry, and drama. He graduated in December of 2011 and is currently involved in leadership at Steamtown Church in Scranton, PA. Serving in the Admissions Department and helping people shape their future is a joy to him and one of his greatest passions. His hobbies are playing and listening to music, spending time with others, ultimate frisbee, watching movies, reading, and acting in drama productions.

David Tassell
Admissions Counselor
570.585.9374
dtassell@bbc.edu

David was born in Chicago, IL but lived in seven different states while growing up. He came to BBC as a student in 2007 and is excited to be a part of the Admissions team, encouraging students to come here for learning and to be Christian leaders in the world. He enjoys reading and social justice ministry. He is working with others in the area on ministry projects aimed at alleviating suffering caused by human trafficking and other exploitation of people. His favorite passage in the Bible is the Sermon on the Mount as it reminds him to pursue Jesus’ plan for the world in his life and actions.

Dan Koontz
Distance Education Admissions Counselor
570.585.9369
dkoontz@bbc.edu

Dan was born and raised in Merrimack, NH. After a diverse educational background he came to BBC to finish his bachelor's degree. He graduated in 2012 and soon after began working in the BBC Admissions Department as a Distance Education Admissions Counselor. He enjoys working with non-traditional students, welcoming them into the online program, and seeing them start their education. A highlight of working in the Admissions Department for Dan is building relationships with the prospective students he interacts with.He enjoys playing basketball, spending time with family, cooking, personal finances, and Bible study.