MESA — Anthony Siebers has been charged with building and leading future student life programs at Benedictine University at Mesa.

Siebers, who will be director of student services at the branch campus, will have to build the Mesa program from scratch using its parent campus as the founding model. University officials believe Siebers’ diverse leadership background makes him a good fit for this new role.

“We are so glad to have Tony join the Benedictine family. He will be providing leadership in the Student Life program, which emphasizes the personal development of the student within the context of our Student Life values,” said Marco Masini, vice president of Student Life at Benedictine University. “He will begin to immediately work with staff, community members and prospective students to help shape student life at our Mesa branch campus to serve the academic, career and spiritual needs of our students.”

Siebers was previously managing director of HukariAscendent’s solar division and served more than a decade with the U.S. Army, earning the rank of captain. He earned a Master of Business Administration from Marylhurst University and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Oregon.

“I look forward to working with Senior Administrator Jo Wilson and Dean Mick Carroll and the entire Mesa staff,” said Siebers. “In these early days, we will be focusing on student housing, dining, and health and fitness services, as well as fostering our connection to the community and local industry through community service, internships and student life organizations.”

Long-term plans at the Benedictine University at Mesa branch campus include bringing residential options and intercollegiate sports to campus for men and women. Benedictine competes in NCAA Division III sports on the main campus in Lisle, Ill., and in the NAIA on the branch campus in Springfield, Ill.

Benedictine University at Mesa opened its services center at 51 E. Main St. on September 20 and will begin offering classes in fall 2013 at 225 E. Main St. Both locations are in downtown Mesa.

Initial degree offerings will include a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Bachelor of Arts in Theology, Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and Organizational Behavior, in addition to a minor in Religious Studies.

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