In today’s polarized political climate, we desperately need a new generation of high-capacity, spiritually-grounded leaders who bring a thoughtful Christian witness to society, leading with integrity of heart and skillful hands. If Christians are to be a part of the conversations that will shape the future of our country and the world, emerging leaders-in-training need to be in the rooms where those conversations happen. The Presidential Fellows program provides this kind of character development through intense mentoring of students in a context of faith formation and leadership development.
Modeled on the highly competitive, highly effective White House Fellowship, the Presidential Fellows Program affords Taylor students the chance to work directly with a senior leader on campus, who mentors the student through a yearlong fellowship. The Program aims to catalyze the leadership potential of a select group of students, equipping them to assume positions of major responsibility within ten to fifteen years of graduation. Through work assignments and special mentoring opportunities, Fellows learn firsthand the process of leading a major institution with unique exposure to senior leaders, substantive work assignments, and horizon-broadening educational opportunities.
Presidential Fellows work approximately ten hours per week in the office of their assigned leader, advancing the university’s mission by assisting with an array of responsibilities. In addition to this substantive work placement, Presidential Fellows receive educational development in growing as leaders through a series of seminars and workshops led by President Lindsay.
Office of the Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing
Hometown: Lebanon, TN
Major: Graphic Design
Email: allison_beck@taylor.edu
Alli is originally from Wheaton, IL; however, she and her family have called the Nashville area home since 2022. Following graduation, she plans to find her dream job combining graphic design and business marketing. At Taylor, she has spent the past 2.5 years overseeing the development of Decision Point, a ministry focused on evangelism at public middle and high schools. She was also a designer for the yearbook and served as the Discipleship Assistant on Second West Olson. Alli is passionate about discipling students and coming alongside them as they learn how to witness in their own communities, fueled by the mentorship that she received in high school from the same program. In her free time, she loves to cook, go camping, or explore the nearest city.
Office of the Vice President for Finance and CFO
Hometown: Worthington, MN
Major: Computer Science—Systems
Email: jada_bonnett@taylor.edu
Jada grew up in a small town on the prairie of southwestern Minnesota. She is the second oldest of five and loves her time at home spent with her family and the snow. Jada is studying Computer Science—Systems which has combined her great love for numbers, logic, and the arts. In the future, she hopes to work in software engineering to create new technology products. Outside of classes, Jada enjoys being heavily involved in leadership on campus including being a Personnel Assistant for her wing, Second Center Olson, as well as participating on the Honors Guild Cabinet. In her free time, Jada enjoys spending hours over a puzzle, rock climbing, or going for a run in the sun.
Office of the Vice President for Strategy and Chief of Staff
Hometown: West Lafayette, IN
Major: Double Major in Christian Ministries and Biblical Literature
Email: hallie_brenner@taylor.edu
Hallie is originally from West Lafayette, making her a Purdue Boilermakers fan, but she is now a Taylor Trojan at heart. At Taylor, Hallie is a leader on the track & field team as she throws javelin, hammer, discus, and weight. Hallie is involved in many areas across campus. She was a Personnel Assistant on Second East Olson, led a vast array of small groups and prayer groups, spent many hours in the library, and crafted lattes at The Jumping Bean. Hallie felt her call to ministry at a conference in Holland, MI, early in high school and has pursued Jesus’ Great Commission ever since. In her classes at TU, she has gained a greater appreciation for the study of Scripture, teaching lessons, and learning how to train and equip leaders. After graduating from Taylor, Hallie plans to find her way to a nondenominational church where she can minister in the areas of small groups, multigenerational mentorship, discipleship, and connections. In her free time, Hallie loves to read, visit local coffee shops, and spend time with her dog, Harmon.
Office of the President
Hometown: Upland, IN
Major: Double Major in Philosophy, Political Science, & Economics (PPE) and Politics & Law
Email: zane_callison@taylor.edu
Zane is a rising senior studying Philosophy, Political Science, & Economics, as well as Politics & Law. An Upland native, Zane has long been involved in the Taylor community. Zane has served as the founder and student manager of the Redeem Project, a student practicum program dedicated to providing free criminal record expungement services to the local community. Zane is also a student-athlete, running on both Taylor’s cross country and track & field teams. In his free time, Zane enjoys hiking, reading The Atlantic, and spending time with his family’s three Bernese Mountain Dogs. After graduating from Taylor, Zane plans to work in the consulting or public policy sectors and later attend law school, where he hopes to specialize in administrative law.
Office of the Vice President for Student Development and Intercollegiate Athletics
Hometown: Zionsville, IN
Major: Film and Media Production
Email: hannah_caruana@taylor.edu
Hannah calls central Indiana home after her family moved from southern California to the Midwest. As the oldest of five homeschooled children, Hannah discovered her passion for discipleship through exploring visual storytelling, music, and athletics. She attributes much of her spiritual formation to the loving support of family and the rigor of competition in volleyball and track & field in high school, and she enjoyed continuing her track career with the Trojans for two seasons. Through her film studies, Hannah has developed a love for documentary filmmaking by telling stories that invoke wonder, inspire hope, and empower truth. She has collaborated on successful projects such as Kojak: A Fuller Life, which has been honored with multiple festival accolades from across the country, and she hopes to continue using film and media as an avenue to advance the kingdom of God. At Taylor, she has served as a Discipleship Assistant on Third West Olson where she will be living for her fourth year. Hannah’s involvement in her local church also allows her to exercise her passion for fellowship in the Word of God through worship, prayer, and everyday stewardship. On any given day, you can find Hannah playing the piano, encouraging her friends to join CrossFit, or starting a pickup volleyball game.
Office of the Provost
Hometown: Dayton, OH
Major: Exercise Science
Email: seth_culham@taylor.edu
Seth is a senior Exercise Science major with a minor in Psychology. He is proudly from southwest Ohio, where he lives with his parents and younger brother. He has spent his entire life in Christian education and would not trade his experiences, especially those from Taylor, for the world. While at Taylor, he has helped build Live Well, a local pediatric weight management program designed to help children and their families practice healthy lifestyle habits. He is currently leading the manuscript preparation of program findings for publication. Seth has also worked as a consultant in the Writing Center, as well as a fitness trainer in the Fit Into Health program at Taylor. Upon graduation, Seth plans to pursue his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in hopes of specializing in geriatrics or orthopedics. He is also interested in potentially working in higher education and the academic/professional development of therapists. He loves watching and playing sports, connecting with friends and professors, and listening to all types of music.
Office of the Chief Information Officer
Hometown: Portage, MI
Major: Marketing/Management with Systems
Email: clare_dirksen@taylor.edu
Clare spent her childhood in southwest Michigan. She is the third of four children and is blessed to be surrounded by close relatives in her hometown, Portage, MI. Her family, church, and schooling have been foundational in her developing testimony. Being involved in her father’s roofing business growing up has shaped much of her perspective on work and has also influenced her desire to study business at Taylor. Her father’s joyful work ethic inspires her to live as if working for the Lord. At Taylor, Clare has served as chapel coordinator working with the Campus Pastor to plan chapels and as student coordinator for Open Hands, a personal finance program headed by Taylor alumni. After graduating from Taylor, Clare plans on pursuing a career in the for-profit business field where she seeks to be a witness for Christ by seeking excellence in her work.
Office of Intercultural Leadership and Church Relations
Hometown: Brownsburg, IN
Major: Sociology
Email: alexis_howell@taylor.edu
Alexis is a native Hoosier from Brownsburg, IN. In the middle of her college sophomore year, she felt the Lord pulling her away from her previous school and directed her to Taylor University. Since transitioning to Taylor, she has joined the Calling and Career Office’s intern team and assisted with events such as the University’s annual Job Fair, Shark Tank, and spring semester orientation. After completing her degree in Sociology, Alexis plans to continue her education at a graduate school and expand her experience in leadership. Her hope is to use her strong background in leadership and sociology to perform outreach in the communities God calls her to help. Alexis is a huge football fan, and in her free time, she loves to read or watch movies with friends.
Office of the President
Hometown: Adrian, MI
Major: Political Science, Philosophy, & Economics
Email: hutson_hohlbein@taylor.edu
Hutson, the third son of Darrell and Heather Hohlbein, is studying Political Science, Philosophy, & Economics (PPE) with a minor in Intercultural Studies and Missions. Hutson is a wide receiver on the football team and has served as a member of the team’s Servant-Leadership Council for the past two seasons. Hutson has also served as a Personnel Assistant for two years on First East Wengatz and currently co-chairs Taylor’s American Enterprise Institute Executive Council. Hutson enjoys volunteering at LIFT, an afterschool program and at Grant County Special Olympics basketball events. He worked this past summer as a legislative intern for the 57th District of the Michigan House of Representatives and will complete an internship at Samaritan’s Purse in their international security division in the summer of 2023. Apart from Hutson’s daily routine on campus, he loves spending time with friends and family, playing board games, hiking, listening to podcasts, and watching musicals. After graduation, Hutson plans on entering the non-profit sector to serve the Church globally before pursuing graduate studies in either law or ministry leadership.
Office of the Vice President for Intercultural Leadership and Church Relations
Hometown: Arvada, CO
Major: Politics & Public Service
Email: kayleigh_khavari@taylor.edu
Kayleigh, a proud Colorado native, has cultural roots in both Iran and America. She has the honor of looking up to four older siblings. Growing up in a culturally-blended home led to many of Kayleigh’s passions today. She has combined her desire to serve those in need of advocacy and restoring broken systems by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Politics & Public Service. After graduating from Taylor, she plans to attend law school, where she will focus her studies on a blend of immigration law and survivor law. At Taylor, she has learned to make a great cup of coffee at The Jumping Bean, served as a Personnel Assistant on Third West Olson, and is a current cabinet member of the Middle Eastern Collegiate Association. Kayleigh is passionate about meeting people where they are, discovering needs, and finding ways to fill them. In her free time, you will find Kayleigh with a coffee in hand, reading, adventuring to new places, and making new playlists.
Office of the Provost
Hometown: Crestwood, KY
Major: Biology (Pre-Med)
Email: ryan_killion@taylor.edu
Ryan, the son of Jane and Matt Killion, is the youngest of two boys. During his time at Taylor, Ryan has played varsity soccer, served on the cabinet of Alpha Pi Iota and the Biology Club, and worked in cardiac rehabilitation. He both assisted and shadowed renowned orthopedic surgeon and traumatologist, Dr. Santiago Tamayo, during his semester abroad in Cuenca, Ecuador. This was a foundational moment in establishing his love for healthcare, his heart for the underserved, and his passion for surgery. After graduating from Taylor, Ryan plans to attend medical school and become an orthopedic surgeon. His hope is to open a private practice with a heavy focus on mission work, both domestic and abroad. He is currently certified in Basic Life Support and as a Certified Nursing Assistant. In his free time, Ryan enjoys playing guitar, hiking, and competing in sports with his friends.
Office of the Vice President for University Advancement
Hometown: West Lafayette, IN
Major: Exercise Science
Email: hojun_yun@taylor.edu
Born in Daegu, South Korea, HoJun moved to the United States at the age of 5. His family now lives in West Lafayette, IN. After graduating from Taylor, he plans to go into the field of strength and conditioning at the collegiate level. At Taylor, he has served as a captain of the football team and a member of Decision Point, an evangelism outreach club for local middle and high school kids. He has also been a strength and conditioning coach at his alma mater, West Lafayette Jr./Sr. High School as well as worked with middle school to high school-aged student-athletes in Grant County. HoJun seeks to continue in his holistic development so that he may serve those that he works with in the future. In his free time, HoJun enjoys working out, reading, and listening to seminars and podcasts.