As Director of Student Recruitment, Stephen Pierce oversees and directs recruitment strategies for the Admissions team. Stephen graduated from Patrick Henry College with a degree in Classical Liberal Arts and joined the Admissions team shortly after graduating. After years as an Admissions Counselor and Senior Admissions Counselor, he felt called by the Lord to grow the college with the right mission-fit students. Stephen brings first-hand knowledge of PHC, having experience at PHC as a Campus Safety officer, Resident Assistant, Chapel Guild leader, and Teen Leadership Camps Counselor. These opportunities have given Stephen a deep institutional knowledge and an intense love for the college.
Stephen has been a pianist, composer, and church musician for over half his life. He loves to spend time outdoors in God’s Creation, particularly in the mountains, and to enjoy the beauty that God has given to man. Because of this, he loves carpentry and woodworking. Stephen married his wonderful wife Megan in November 2016, and they have one daughter, Janie, and one son, Ray.
Student Talent Acquisition ManagerOlivia Schmidt graduated from Patrick Henry College with a degree in Classical Liberal Arts. Her love for ministry and particular interest in the liberal arts led her to PHC and into the Office of Admissions, where she enjoys walking with prospective students through the enrollment decision. Throughout her college career, Olivia submerged herself in both campus and community life; in addition to serving at her local church and teaching math at a middle school, she worked as a Resident Assistant and led several campus music groups. When she's outside the office, Olivia loves living life with her husband, all-things cardio, cooking for large groups of people, and catching a sunrise whenever she can. But most of all, she loves people, and cannot wait to hear from you!
Jennifer Wright began her career as a fifth grade teacher and upon the birth of her first child decided to focus her education experience towards her own children. For the next twenty years she home schooled her two girls until recently graduating her youngest and successfully propelling both of them into their own thriving university student careers. She joined PHC as the Admissions Administrative Assistant in 2019 and is excited to work with families in her role as Financial Aid Officer. She has the helpful perspective of being on the other side of the admissions process. She feels blessed to have this opportunity to use her experience, talents, and passions to encourage students to join the PHC family if that is where God is leading them to be. In this role, as with every role in her life, her earnest desire is to reflect the amazing love that God has poured into her heart to everyone she meets. (Romans 5:5)
Jenn holds a B.S in Elementary Education. She loves reading, gardening, photography, anything involving the beauty of God's creation, and especially spending time with her family. Jenn and her husband Christopher have been married for twenty-three years and have two beautiful girls Lillianna and Caroline. They have lived in the northern Virginia area for twenty-two years and specifically in Clarke County for the last thirteen.
Bill Alger serves as the data analyst for Patrick Henry College's department of admissions. He graduated from Bob Jones University with a degree in Computer Science. Bill started his career as a US government contractor working in software development. After experience in that environment, Bill decided he wanted to find a Christian workplace where he could grow in his faith and be challenged to do his best for the Lord. Here at PHC, Bill is excited to help young men and women develop themselves so they can advance the kingdom of God in this country. In his free time, Bill likes to read novels, play Age of Empires, and even write his own science fiction stories.
Administrative Assistant; Campus Visits CoordinatorAfter completing the amazing journey of home education, Terri is thrilled to begin a new chapter in life. Bringing her passion and enthusiasm for the mission of the college, Terri is honored to share in the efforts of finding the next generation of mission fit students to continue the growth and legacy of Patrick Henry College. She’s spent the last several years using her skills and talents to serve the community. Now she looks forward to welcoming students and their families to campus! Having recently experienced the college admissions process with her daughter, she offers a unique perspective to help potential students and their families to navigate the admissions process.
Terri holds a B.S. in Marketing and has experience in multiple administrative and executive positions. She enjoys photography, gardening, exploring God’s creation, spending time with family and friends, reading, and delights in serving the Lord at her church and in the community. Terri, her husband, and daughter have lived in the northern Virginia area over 20 years.
Master Admissions CounselorAlyson Sothoron began her career as a Research Analyst studying health and social science policy. She loves research and has a passion for lifelong learning. She moved from the quantitative side of research to the qualitative side and worked as a Focus Group Moderator for a few years before becoming a counselor, adjunct instructor, and life coach. She joined Patrick Henry College (PHC) as Senior Admissions Counselor with the goal of helping connect the next generation of godly leaders to a learning experience that will grow them academically, emotionally, and spiritually—and, equip them to impact their respective spheres of influence with Truth and Spirit.
Alyson holds a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Maryland and a M.Ed. from Colorado State University. She worked professionally as a whitewater rafting guide and wilderness field instructor and loves to spend time in the outdoors, marveling at the wonders of God’s Creation.
Grace Bennett is a 2021 graduate from Patrick Henry College. She majored in Literature, served as a head Resident Assistant, and a member of the PHC chorale and chapel guild. Grace has served in PHC Teen Leadership Camps as a counselor and most recently as Co-Director. During her time as a student, she worked in the Admissions Office as a Student Ambassador starting her sophomore year and began as an Assistant Admissions Counselor at the beginning of Senior year. She hopes to one day gain a master's degree in English, drawing connections between Renaissance Drama and England's Plantagenets and the Tudor Monarchy. In Grace's spare time she enjoys exploring Northern Virginia with her husband, laughing with friends, reading anything by William Shakespeare and C.S. Lewis, drinking inordinate amounts of British tea, and seeking out the beauty and goodness of the Lord in the most unexpected places.
Loren Campbell is currently a junior at Patrick Henry College, majoring in Economics and Business Analytics. In his second year as an Assistant Admissions Counselor, Loren is excited for the opportunity to walk with prospective students and help shape the future of Patrick Henry College!
If he’s not studying, Loren can be found hanging with friends or watching some sporting event. Loren is the captain of the PHC Baseball Club, is a drummer at nearby Blue Ridge Bible Church, and is a professional golfer in his own head. Born and raised in the Dallas area, Loren is a fan of the Texas Rangers, the Dallas Mavericks, and the Dallas Cowboys. He also loves Star Wars, Marvel, LEGOs, playing drums, and the great state of Texas.
Assistant Admissions CounselorMaxwell Bennett is a rising Senior at PHC majoring in Classical Liberal Arts from Harrisville, West Virginia. He first encountered PHC as a Teen Leadership Camper and discovered that it was where the Lord was leading him to go to college. After working as a Teen Camps Counselor himself during the summers of 2019 and 2020, Max saw working in Admissions as an opportunity to continue his service to the ministry and mission of Patrick Henry College. He looks forward to investing in families and students who are eager to see where the Lord is leading them in their college journeys!
Max’s time at PHC has been marked by a growing love of seeing Christ and his glory in philosophy, literature, and music. He’s involved in Model United Nations, Chapel Guild, Eden Troupe, and International Justice Mission. He can frequently be found playing volleyball or walleyball, listening to podcasts on just about everything under the sun, or swaying in his ENO hammock. Max is an avid fan of C.S. Lewis, CAVA Restaurants, 1517 Podcasts, and superhero movies and comics.
Admissions AssistantBio coming soon!
