Campus Ministry Staff

Dave Armstrong CSJA

Director of Mission Effectiveness and Campus Ministries

Dave has been in ministry to young people for more than 25 years including
19 years in Campus Ministry and 8 years as the Director of Youth Ministry for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. He holds a Master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry from Loyola University of New Orleans, and his undergraduate degree is in Religious Studies from Benedictine College.

Dave lives and raises his family in Prairie Village, KS with his wife Kelly.
He is an Associate of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

You can contact Dave at:

816-501-2423 Room 104

David.Armstrong@avila.edu

Julie Schneider

Assistant Director of Campus Ministries

Julie is excited to be in her first year working in Campus Ministry at Avila University. Similar to several Avila students, she hails from St. Louis, MO and is a proud sports fan of her local teams (ahem...Go Cardinals!). She spent several years studying Psychology and Sociology at the University of Missouri-St. Louis before moving to West Virginia to serve the community of Doddridge County with a non-profit home-repair organization called Nazareth Farm. While there, she lived in an intentional community and led groups on week-long service retreats. She is currently finishing a Masters degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola Chicago. Julie welcomes you to stop by her office any time and encourages you to get involved in the many life-giving opportunities that Ministry has to offer.

You can contact Julie at:

816-501-0427 Room 105

Julie.Schneider@avila.edu

Mary Kay Whitacre

Spiritual Life Coordinator

Since graduating from Avila in 1977 with degrees in Elementary Education and Religious Education, and completing a master's degree in Religious Education from Seattle University in 1981, Mary Kay has served the Roman Catholic Church as a paid professional minister in a variety of roles. Today, she divides her time between St. Thomas More Parish as their RCIA Director; Souljourners Ecumenical Spiritual Direction Formation Program as faculty, supervisor, and spiritual director; and Avila University as Spiritual Life Coordinator. This wife and mother of two adult married children has enjoyed returning to her roots here at Avila, and is energized by the life and spirit she shares with today's students.

You can contact Mary Kay at:

816-501-0426 Room 106

Mary.Whitacre@avila.edu

Fr. Keith Branson C.P.P.S

Avila Chaplain

Fr. Keith has had a diverse career in music and ministry. As a musician, he has worked in many different churches, directing choirs of all ages, has
taught music on several levels, and has presented organ recitals and workshops in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Indiana and Ohio, as well as having original compositions performed at the University of Kansas, the University of Nebraska, and Catholic Theological Union. Since becoming a Missionary of the Precious Blood and ordination as a Catholic priest in 2000, he has been a preacher, a spiritual director, a teacher, a college administrator, a pastor, and a chaplain. Now he is involved in Retreat and Renewal Ministry based at Precious Blood Center in Liberty, MO as well as serving as Chaplain at Avila University in Kansas City, MO.

You can contact Fr. Keith and follow his blog at:

padrekb_CPPS@yahoo.com

http://homiliesandstraythoughts.wordpress.com/

***Our offices are located on the first floor of Carondelet***