BETHANY COLLEGE NAMES JOELLEN LINDNER VICE PRESIDENT OF ADMISSIONS, STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES AND ADMISSIONS MARKETING
Experienced enrollment and higher education leader brings more than 30 years of expertise in admissions, financial aid, student affairs, and admissions marketing
LINDSBORG, Kan. June 23, 2026 - Bethany College today announced JoEllen Lindner as Vice President of Admissions, Student Financial Services, and Marketing. Lindner brings more than three decades of experience in higher education enrollment, student affairs, marketing, financial aid strategy, advancement, and organizational leadership, with deep roots in small private and faith-based colleges as well as public higher education.
In this role, Lindner will lead Bethany’s recruitment, student financial services, and admissions marketing efforts, working closely with campus leaders to strengthen enrollment strategy, support prospective students and families, and communicate the value of a Bethany College education.
“JoEllen brings exactly the kind of experienced, steady, mission-centered leadership Bethany needs in this important season,” said Dr. Laura Crawley, President of Bethany College. “She understands the realities facing small colleges, and she has a heart for liberal arts institutions and a clear commitment to mentoring staff and building strong teams so the College can succeed.”
Her higher education leadership experience includes service as Vice President for Enrollment at Lourdes University in Ohio, Senior Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management at Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania, and Vice President for Enrollment Management at Cottey College in Missouri. In these and other roles, Lindner capably led enrollment, financial aid, and student affairs efforts. At Mansfield University in Pennsylvania, she exceeded enrollment goals in fall 2020 and spring 2021. At Presentation College in South Dakota, she helped grow degree-seeking student enrollment in a price-sensitive and declining demographic market.
Lindner most recently served as Chief Operating Officer for Blessed Sacrament Parishes in Aberdeen, South Dakota, where she managed operations for five Catholic parishes and one campus Newman Center. Her responsibilities included human resources, policy development, capital project oversight, volunteer coordination, and grant writing and management.
Lindner said Bethany’s size, mission, academic offerings, and location in Lindsborg all drew her to the opportunity.
“Today’s enrollment offices must be data driven, but they can never lose sight of personal student contact,” Lindner said. “Prospective students and families are price-sensitive and outcomes-focused. At a college like Bethany, we have the opportunity to connect affordability with the long-lasting value of a liberal arts education. I am excited to work with the Bethany team to build strategies that are collaborative, practical, and focused on results.”
Lindner holds a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism from South Dakota State University, a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University, and a certificate in Non-Profit Organization Management from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
She has also been deeply involved in civic, educational, faith-based, and nonprofit leadership, including service with Junior Achievement, Habitat for Humanity, Rotary, local chambers of commerce, school foundations, tourism boards, and church music ministries.
“Enrollment is shared work,” Crawley said. “JoEllen understands that admissions, financial services, marketing, athletics, academics, student life, and the wider campus community all shape a student’s decision to choose Bethany and to stay at Bethany. Her experience will help us bring that work together with focus and care.”
About Bethany College
Bethany College (bethanylb.edu) is a higher educational institution located in Lindsborg, Kansas. Bethany College was established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881. For more than 140 years, Bethany College has been dedicated to educating, developing, and challenging individuals to pursue truth and excellence while leading lives of faith, learning, and service. At Bethany College, students join a community of dedicated educators and caring mentors who support them as they discover, explore, and navigate their purpose. Bethany College is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
CONTACT:
Christie Denniston, APR
Vice President of Strategic Engagement
303-827-5164
Bethany College
335 East Swensson Street
Lindsborg, KS 67456
