Staff

Jessica Janssen

Vice President for Institutional Advancement

402-941-6523

Raised as a “small town girl” hailing from roots in Beemer, Nebraska and becoming a true Fremonter at a very early age, Jessica grew to understand the importance of faith, family, hard work, and community. These values are what have propelled Jessica’s career choices and have led to a meaningful profession in philanthropy and non-profit management. Jessica describes God’s hand at work in the blessing to come back to the Fremont community in 2010, as executive director of the Fremont Area...Read more

Kristen Drake

Alumni Coordinator and Events Specialist

402-941-6055

drakek@midlandu.edu

Kristen has been channeling the Warrior spirit since joining the development team in October 2015 as Alumni Coordinator and Events Specialist. Instead of dividing her time between what she loves and how she works, she believes in combining the two to make a career. An early love for non-profit work led to a career in fundraising and volunteer management. Later, Kristen was able to serve the community in a more active role as a service learning administrator at a small college in Iowa,...Read more

Brad Eberspacher

Director of Annual Giving

402-941-6053

eberspacherb@midlandu.edu

Born and raised a “farm kid” in Eastern Nebraska, Brad received his degree in Music Business and Non-Profit Management from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, which kicked off a career adventure that includes non-profit organizations and churches throughout Nebraska, Missouri, Colorado and California before ultimately returning to the good life in 2012. A creative at heart, Brad has a passion for the arts and has more than 20 years of experience in live sound and lighting production for...Read more

Rev. Dr. John Eggen

Major Gifts Officer

402-941-6032

eggen@midlandu.edu

As a wandering Nebraksan, John had to leave Nebraska for a decade to come “home.” John first began non-profit work while traveling to Bolivia to visit an organization serving street children. John served in a leadership role leading organizational growth to increase the services provided for these children. Watching these children grow up to become adults and serve their communities left John with a passion to ensure future generations have opportunities to thrive. John served as an ELCA pastor...Read more

Allison Pokorny

Database and Research Associate

402-941-6050

pokorny@midlandu.edu

Alli was raised a cornfed Husker in Nebraska after being born to military parents in Germany and living briefly in Virginia. Alli attended Midland University from 2012-2016 and graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in psychology. Alli played on the women’s golf team while at Midland, capping her career off with a GPAC conference runner-up finish. Alli and her husband, Ryan, enjoy golfing, hunting, fishing, and competing in demolition derbies. Alli came on to the Development team full time...Read more

Kim Taylor

Development Officer

402-941-6537

taylork@midlandu.edu

Growing up on a farm near Fremont and graduating from Midland, Kim has called the Fremont area her home for her entire life. Before joining the Midland development team in 2016, she worked at the Fremont Area Community Foundation for more than 10 years where she was involved in scholarships, fund accounting and marketing. Prior to that, she worked in the printing industry where her passion for graphic and web design began. While completing her BA in Journalism at Midland, she met her husband of...Read more

Brenda Wilberding

Business Development Manager

402-941-6528

wilberding@midlandu.edu

Born, raised and still growing where her roots are planted, Brenda is proud to be a lifelong Fremonter! Brenda earned her BA in Journalism in 2007 from Midland University while being involved in many campus activities. Following her graduation, she enjoyed numerous leadership roles at Hy-Vee, and most recently was the Events Coordinator for the Fremont location. Ecstatic for the opportunity to begin a career at her Alma Mater, she returned to Midland in May, 2015 as an Admissions Counselor...Read more