Student Engagement inspires students to get involved in high-impact, active learning experiences to develop the whole student, build community, and cultivate kingdom citizenship.
Steve Ivester, Ph.D.
Dean For Student Engagement
B.M. Wheaton College, 1993
M.A. Wheaton College, 2003
Ph.D. Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, 2013
Through his own educational experience as an undergraduate at Wheaton, Steve can attest that God used others, including faculty, mentors, and friends in powerful ways in the process of his own growth – it was nothing short of transforming for his faith and his worldview. As Dean for Student Engagement, he is committed to educating and equipping college students through relational ministry, program advising, and leadership development experiences that develop students’ identity, skills, knowledge, and attitudes to engage an increasingly interconnected world, to encounter Jesus Christ throughout all aspects of their life, and to graciously share their growth and faith in Christ with others.
Steve is an active member of College Church in Wheaton where he serves as an elder, a devoted sailor, an adventurous downhill skier, and an enthusiastic fan of Van Morrison’s music. The lyrics of Avalon Sunset and No Guru No Method are a few of his favorites that ring through his head on any given day.
steve.ivester@wheaton.edu
630.752.5088
Beamer Student Center, 061
Stephanie Starr
Manager of Programs | Student Engagement
B.A. Western Michigan University, 2003
M.S. University of Colorado Denver, 2021
As the Manager of Programs for Student Engagement, Stephanie is honored to support the vision of Wheaton College, Dean Steve Ivester, and the Student Engagement offices as a collaborative communicator and strategic planning partner. She enjoys balancing the preservation of deeply rooted legacy Wheaton College student engagement traditions while also identifying opportunities for efficiencies and forward-thinking solutions as institutional capabilities evolve.
Stephanie has previously held professional roles related to stakeholder engagement and executive administration in various industries, including oil and gas construction, residential construction, non-profit healthcare, and hospitality. The transferrable skills of cross-functional collaboration and innovative problem-solving she acquired in these positions provide valuable insight into higher education initiatives.
As a lifelong learner, Stephanie is enthusiastically taking courses at Wheaton College and is busy cycling through the large stack of books on her “to-read” list. She is passionate about serving people in vulnerable positions, sharing the redemptive love of Jesus Christ through various prison ministries as well as pro-life and crisis pregnancy support ministries. She also enjoys spending time with her mom, teenage daughter Harper, sister, brother-in-law and two nephews.
stephanie.starr@wheaton.edu
630-752-5094
Beamer Student Center, 061