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 24 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 tenure at King’s, David has been instrumental in shaping 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 fourteen years and they have one daughter. In addition to King’s, his passions include training for triathlons, urban gardening, and international travel.   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 Housing 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. He has a strong desire to help students thrive through their college years. In addition, Nick loves adventuring with his wife, Lindsey, playing sports, and spending time with family.
	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.
	Michelle Lambdin Housing Director  646-237-8906    B.A. Politics, Philosophy, and Economics, The King's College   Originally from Stockton, California, Michelle Lambdin began working as the Housing Director for the Herald Towers residence in August 2012. She attended all four years of her undergraduate at The King’s College, graduating in May 2012. During her four years at King's she spent three in House leadership-- one year as House City Engagement Coordinator and two years as House President of Sojourner Truth. She has a passion for community and the holistic development of students during their college years. Michelle loves movies, fall in the city, Broadway shows, tea, and spending time with family and 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.
	Julie Reinhold Supervising Psychologist  212-659-7296    B.S. Psychology, Northwestern College, St. Paul, MN Psy.D. School/Clinical Psychology, Pace University   Julie Reinhold joined the Student Development Staff in the Fall of 2012. She has previously worked as a Psychologist for Gouverneur Healthcare Services, part of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, for the past 15 years. In addition, she has worked at Redeemer Counseling Services for the past four years and has experience working with a full spectrum of ethnic, socioeconomic, and age groups. Originally from Wisconsin, she has resided in Brooklyn for the past 20 years.
	Stacey Chen Counselor  646-237-8905    B.A. Economics, Trinity College (Hartford) M.A. Counseling, Nyack College   Stacey Chen joined the Student Life team in 2009 and since transitioned to her current role as Counselor. She has worked with young adults individually and in groups at Redeemer Counseling Services, as 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 member of the American Association of College Counselors and American Counseling Association. Stacey is a native New Yorker who receives joy from her work with students and the privilege of seeing them through life-giving change.
	Elijah McCready Global Engagement Coordinator  212-659-3620    B.A. Politics, Philosophy, and Economics, The King's College   Elijah McCready joined the Student Development 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.