Contact the Office of Advancement

Kelly Boland Vowels ’85, is the Vice President for Advancement, a position she has held since March 2005. She is responsible for cultivating revenue streams and avenues for fundraising and manages the operation of donor relations, development, alumni relations; and has led the college through two successful capital campaigns. Kelly’s career at Benedictine College began in 1985 as an Admission Officer. Other positions she has held at her alma mater includes Director of Alumni Relations, Director of Admission, as well as the dual role of Dean of Enrollment Management and Vice President for Advancement. In the latter roles, Kelly was responsible for leading the admission, financial aid, development, alumni relations, and fundraising efforts, as well as overseeing the employees within the two departments.

• Phone: 913.360.7418
• kvowels@benedictine.edu

Tim Andrews is a 1988 Benedictine graduate who has been with the college for over 20 years, the last 15 years as Executive Director of Planned Giving. Tim advises members of the Benedictine College community interested in matching their personal values, life story, philanthropic goals with the college’s vision to become one of the great Catholic colleges in America.

• Phone: 913.360.7363
• tandrews@benedictine.edu

Rosemary Wilkerson currently serves as the Executive Director of Development at Benedictine College. Her responsibilities include cultivating alumni relationships, solicitation of major donors, and stewardship of planned gifts from Benedictine College alumni and friends to help secure the long-term financial strength of the College. She served as Director of Development at Benedictine during the Faithful to the Story Campaign in 2000. Mrs. Wilkerson earned a bachelor of arts degree in English education in 1990 from Washburn University; and holds a master of science degree in mass communications/public relations from the A.Q. Miller School of Journalism at Kansas State University.

• Phone: 913.426.5876
• rosemaryw@benedictine.edu

Doug Longstaff is a 2007 graduate of the Benedictine Executive MBA program. He earned his BA from Franciscan University of Steubenville. Having previously worn a couple of hats in the Alumni and Advancement offices at Benedictine, Doug has been the Director of Annual Giving since 2017. His role is to engage alumni, parents and friends in the life of the college through annual support for all aspects of the student experience.

• Phone: 913.360.7452
• dlongstaff@benedictine.edu

Michela Brooks Marquez is a 2014 Benedictine graduate who returned to work at her alma mater in 2021. Michela enjoys working with the Benedictine College community of alumni, parents, and friends of the college, being a bridge to the mission, and helping the Raven community make a meaningful impact in the lives Benedictine students today and tomorrow. Michela came to Benedictine College from New Jersey, where she served seven years with Saint Paul’s Outreach, first as a missionary and then as their Development Officer for the Northeast Region. Raised in California and Las Vegas, Michela is the oldest of nine children and the first to attend Benedictine College, followed by her sisters, Gabrielle Brooks Nickerson ’20,  and Annemarie Brooks ‘24. Michela graduated with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Theology.

• Phone: 913.360.7443
• mmarquez@benedictine.edu

Joanne Huey, a 1988 Benedictine College graduate, started as the new Director of Alumni Relations in Sept. 2018. Huey is both an alumna and a parent of a Benedictine graduate, plus has two sisters and a brother-in-law who are also Ravens, so she brings a lot of direct experience to the job. Her professional background as a manager within the finance and investment industry has prepared her for the detail work and interaction required of her new position. She has always remained active within the alumni community and is excited to return to her alma mater and work with other alumni in an official capacity.

• Phone: 913.360.7675
• jhuey@benedictine.edu

James Kew is a 1986 Benedictine College graduate who has worked in advancement services at the College since 1989.  His work is centered around gift recording, receipting and record keeping. He has a long family association with the college. His father, Lewis (deceased), was Class of 1946; his brother, Craig, is Class of 1988; and his mother, Margaret (deceased), didn’t attend Benedictine but taught music at the college from 1964-2012.

• Phone: 913.360.7416
• jkew@benedictine.edu

Immediately following her graduation from Benedictine College in 1985 Kelly began working as an Admissions Counselor. In 1987 she took a job as a District Manager for the Kansas Lottery. In 2011, after 23 years at the Lottery, she returned to Benedictine College to work in the Alumni Office. Her parents, all of her aunts and uncles, a brother and three children have attended Benedictine. Her grandfather and father are former faculty members. She currently teaches the Benedictine College swim courses.

• Phone: 913.360.7414
• kelias@benedictine.edu

Kathy Garrison joined Benedictine College in May 1979 as secretary for the Public Relations and Sports Information Office. She has a sister that graduated from the college in 1987. Through the years, she has assisted other departments and offices with administrative assistant tasks including the Athletics, Communications, Alumni Relations, and within the Office of Advancement. Currently, Kathy is the Class Notes Coordinator, sharing stories of the alumni/alumnae through the class notes section of the Spirit of Giving alumni magazine, and in her weekly Constituent Notes email. She also handles tasks such as research projects, archival, and stewardship. Kathy counts Benedictine College as her second home.

• Phone: 913.360.7427
• garrison@benedictine.edu

Seth Slayman ‘18 joined the Advancement Team in 2024 as a Major Gift Catalyst. He looks forward to sharing the mission of the college with alumni, donors, and private foundations interested in leaving a legacy on higher education here at Benedictine. Previously, Seth has held different roles in the finance sector including his most recent stint in business insurance consulting at Lockton Companies in Kansas City. While a student at Benedictine College, he received degrees in Accounting and Finance, was a member of the baseball team, and met his wife, Tori. They have two young boys and are passionate about fostering community and supporting Catholic education.

• Phone: 913.731.1810
• sslayman@benedictine.edu

Celia Noffke is a 2015 graduate of Benedictine College. Immediately after graduating, Celia served for 5 years with Saint Paul’s Outreach, spending 4 years in the Kansas City regional development office. She joined the Advancement Services team at Benedictine College in 2022. Celia lives in Atchison, KS with her husband, Stephen ’15, and their two children.

• 913.360.7473
• cnoffke@benedictine.edu

Janelle Schmidt Menz ’06, is the Director of Donor Stewardship, a position she has held since January 2024. She is responsible for donor engagement and proper stewardship of donor relations and gifts. After graduating from Benedictine College in 2006 Janelle started her career in the event & hospitality industry. Her vast experience provides a unique perspective promising meaningful opportunities are created and contributions are equally recognized and celebrated. With over 18 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, Janelle blends her expertise in event planning and hospitality to ensure donors and friends of Benedictine College receive the true Benedictine hospitality.

• Phone: 913.360.7426
• jmenz@benedictine.edu

As part of the Advancement Services team, John is responsible for providing research, reporting, and analysis, as well as other data related services. Prior to joining Benedictine College, he worked at the University of Missouri Kansas City for five years and at the University of Kansas Medical Center for ten years.  John is grateful to be a part of the Benedictine community and seeks to leverage data-driven initiatives to further the mission and vision of the college.

• Phone: 913.360.7612
• jfife@benedictine.edu

As Donor Relations Outreach Specialist, Deanna McNamara serves donors, alumni, and parents of students by seeking their input, answering questions, and expressing the College’s gratitude for their gifts of time and financial resources. By building community and connecting Ravens with philanthropic advisors, she ensures gifts continue to bless many generations to come. Deanna holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Franciscan University of Steubenville and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Illinois.

• Phone: 913.370.1125
• deanna.mcnamara@benedictine.edu

Embracing a vibrant journey into Catholicism, Justin DeMoss channels his passion for philanthropy and development through his role at Benedictine College, a Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts, residential, college, dedicated to advancing the Kingdom of God. With a Master’s in Philanthropy and Development from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Justin’s educational path began at Benedictine College, where he pursued studies in Psychology and Religious Studies. With nine children in his tribe, Justin aims to be more than just a convert—he’s a dedicated father, a baseball mentor, a visionary dreamer, and a passionate advocate for fundraising. Picture him not only in a boardroom but also on the baseball field, leaving a lasting impression as a little league coach. Beyond philanthropy, Justin’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through as the co-owner of Factory Direct Mattress – Edmond, a venture he operates with his wife, Mary Louise. Their collaboration extends beyond business, ensuring that both home and enterprise run smoothly. Nestled in Edmond, OK, Justin, Mary Louise, and their spirited family are active members of St. Monica’s Catholic Church. When he’s not working, you’ll find Justin fully immersed in family life, camping in the great outdoors, coaching young athletes, devouring books, and satisfying his wanderlust through travel. Whether fundraising, mentoring, or making dad jokes, Justin brings passion, humor, and a heart for service to everything he does.

• Phone: 405.471.9109
• jdemoss@benedictine.edu