Meet the Team

Members of Student Development support the mission of The King’s College by creating wholesome conditions for student life, including an abiding focus on intellectual curiosity and honor fortified by spiritual discipline. Furthermore, we summon students to discover their vocations and the best ways to build from what they’ve learned during their college experience to their personal pursuit to transform society.

	Eric Bennett Vice President for Student Development  212-659-7290      Eric Bennett started working at The King’s College in 2003 as Director of Student Services. He assumed the position Dean of Students in the summer of 2006 and was promoted to Vice President for Student Development June 2011. Prior to his tenure at King’s, Eric served as the Director of Enrollment Services at Alliance Theological Seminary in New York, Director of Enrollment Management at Simpson College in California, and Director of Enrollment Management at Toccoa Falls College in Georgia for more than two decades of service in higher education. Eric and his wife Kathy have four children: Nathaniel, Laura, Anna and Isaiah; they currently reside in Hillsdale, New Jersey.   Word from the Vice President for Student Development
	David Leedy Dean of Students  212-659-0741    B.A. Speech Communication, Indiana University M.Div., Trinity International University   David Leedy has worked in various facets of student development for 23 years. He began serving The King’s College student body in the summer of 2000 as the first Director of Student Life and, subsequently, as the Associate Dean of Students. During his time at King’s, David has played a central role in designing The King’s College House System, the Honor System and International Ventures. Originally from Indianapolis, David came to King’s from the Chicago area, where he earned his master’s degree. Prior to that, he spent eight years at Kansas State University in campus ministry. David has been married to his wife Kathy for thirteen years. In his free time, he trains for triathlons, gardens and travels internationally.   Dean Leedy's Blog
	Shelli Cline Assistant Dean of Students  212-659-0746    B.A. English and Liberal Studies, California State University, San Bernardino   Shelli Cline began working at The King’s College as the Administrative Director of Student Development in May of 2007. Before coming to King’s, she worked for two years as the Marketing and Development Specialist at St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital in Newburgh, NY. Shelli has spent over 15 years in various administrative roles in Christian higher education, including Advancement Operations Manager at Nyack College and Director of Admissions at Simpson University. In her free time, Shelli likes to ride her bike, read, travel, spend time with friends, and generally have fun.
	Dan Woerner Director of Student Life  212-659-7292    B.A., Toccoa Falls College M.Ed., University of Georgia   Dan Woerner comes to The King’s College from Idaho State University where he studied an Ed.D program in Education Leadership and also worked for the University. Before beginning his doctoral program at Idaho State University, he spent three years at Montreat College, (Montreat, NC) where he was part of the faculty and where he also coached the women’s soccer team. Dan also spent 7 years at Simpson University (Redding, CA) and 9 years at Toccoa Falls College (Toccoa Falls, GA) where he worked in various faculty, administrative, and coaching positions. Dan enjoys walking with his best friend and wife, Lori, hiking, camping, traveling, and reading.
	Nicholas Swedick Resident Director  646-237-8916    B.A. Politics, Philosophy, and Economics, The King's College   Nicholas Swedick is originally from upstate New York and began working as the Resident Director for the Ludlow Residence in August 2010. Nick graduated from The King’s College in May 2010, after working as a Chamberlain during his senior year. Nick has a strong desire to help students thrive through their college years. In addition, Nick also loves playing sports and spending time with family.
	Katrina Blank Resident Director  646-237-8915    B.A. Communications Studies, University of Michigan Currently Completing M.A. Christian Leadership, Fuller Theological Seminary   Katrina Blank joined The King’s College residence life staff team in August 2010. Prior to working at King’s she lived in Southern California where she studied at Fuller Theological Seminary and served as a Resident Director at California Baptist University. She is originally from Michigan where upon completion of her degree at University of Michigan, she worked both in camping (Spring Hill) and in youth ministry (Young Life). She loves the adventure of living a life of faith, and to complement that she enjoys activities such as snowboarding, rock climbing, and surfing. In her move to New York Katrina hopes to further pursue book writing, as well as involvement in the fight against human trafficking.
	Lori Woerner Associate Director of Student Life  212-659-7295    B.S. Education, Toccoa Falls College M.Ed. Guidance Counseling in Higher Ed., Clemson University   Lori Woerner has 22 years of experience serving students in Higher Education. She considers it a joy and a privilege to work with students as they pursue their dreams and goals to become transformational leaders of their generation. Lori joined The King’s College staff in the role of Associate Director of Student Life June 2011. Prior to Kings, Lori served as Resident Director at Toccoa Falls College in Georgia. She also served as Resident Director, Coordinator of Special Populations and Assistant Women’s Soccer Coach at Simpson University in California, Resident Director, Director of Residence Life, and Assistant Soccer Coach at Montreat College in North Carolina and Transcript Evaluator at Idaho State University.   Lori’s been married to her husband Dan for 28 years. She enjoys travelling, being outdoors, hiking, camping, walking the city, and spending time with friends.
	Sean Horan Athletic Director  212-659-7218       Sean Horan, native New Yorker, joined The King’s College November 2009 as the Athletic Director. Mr. Horan graduated from Johnson and Wales University in 1993, served for 11 years as a commodity trader on the floor of the New York Mercantile Exchange, and most recently was the Head Coach of the Columbia University Rugby Football Club. He was also director of Rugby at the nationally renowned Old Blue Rugby Football Club. Mr. Horan and his wife Renae have two children, Shannon and Tyghe. They currently reside in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey.
	Jennifer Tharp Director of Student Services  212-659-7289    B.S. Sociology and Family Studies, Union University M.Ed. in Student Affairs, Regent University   Jennifer Tharp became the Director of Student Services in May 2010 after starting at The King’s College in the role of Office Coordinator for Student Development in June 2009. She previously served in Residence Life at Union University, where she graduated in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Family Studies. Originally from Nashville, TN, Jennifer now resides in Manhattan and has a Master of Education degree with a concentration in Student Development from Regent University. Jennifer’s enthusiasm for Christian higher education fuels her work with students and her devotion to King’s.
	Ray East Director of Student Development  212-659-0744    J.D., Columbia University School of Law B.A. in Economics, Vassar College M.A.in International Relations, The Johns Hopkins University   Ray joined the Student Development team in July of 2009. Prior to this, he founded Horizon East Inc., an executive coaching practice, wrote a book on leadership called The Life of Manny, and spoke at conferences on the topic of confident humility in leadership. He has also been an attorney with White and Case LLP in Washington DC, a pro bono staff attorney with The International Justice Mission, and a Management Associate with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.   Ray enjoys travel, experiencing true community, living in New York City and empowering student leaders.
	Brent Bounds Director of Counseling  212-659-3114    B.A., Psychology, Wheaton College M.A., Biblical Studies and Counseling, Dallas Theological Seminary PhD., Clinical Psychology, Fordham University   Brent joined the team at Kings College in September, 2010. Originally from Texas, Brent moved to New York City in 1999 to pursue his doctorate in Psychology. Brent has worked at the counseling centers of Fordham University and Pace University and loves helping college students live the richest, most authentic, and healthy lives they can. In addition to King's, Brent is the Director of Family Ministries at Redeemer Presbyterian Church.
	Stacey Chen Counselor  646-237-8905    B.A. Economics, Trinity College (Hartford) M.A. Counseling, Nyack College   Stacey Chen joined The King's College Student Life team in September 2009 and has since transitioned to a full-time counseling position at the College. In recent years, Stacey has worked at Redeemer Counseling Services with young adults in both individual counseling and support group settings, and well as with youth at Calvary Baptist Church. Prior to counseling and higher education, Stacey was employed in the corporate and non-profit sectors. She is a native New Yorker who enjoys traveling, nature, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family.
	Elijah McCready Global Engagement Coordinator  212-659-3620    B.A. Politics, Philosophy, and Economics, The King's College   Elijah McCready joined the Student Life team as the Global Engagement Coordinator in 2011. Previously, Elijah served two years as the student coordinator for the King’s International Ventures program, overseeing projects in Albania, Turkey, Bulgaria, Uganda, Kenya, France, and China. He has worked for both global NGO’s and small town governments.   Originally from Macungie, PA, Elijah now lives in New York City where he can be found snapping his fingers at poetry slams and roving the boroughs on photography outings.