During the GREAT job award presentation, Lacay (second from left) poses with (from left) Toni Pauls, Ph.D., vice president for adult and graduate studies, Andrea Helmuth, assistant vice president of traditional enrollment and President Gregg Chenoweth, Ph.D.

During the GREAT job award presentation, Lacay (second from left) poses with (from left) Toni Pauls, Ph.D., vice president for adult and graduate studies, Andrea Helmuth, assistant vice president of traditional enrollment and President Gregg Chenoweth, Ph.D.

Admission counselor Jessie Lacay ’10 is known by many for her enthusiasm and passion for the students she serves. In the 2014 recruiting season, Lacay made more than 2,000 contacts to students within her recruitment territory, which is 800 more contacts than the average for the office.

“I love working with prospective students and student workers,” says Lacay, who calls each of her applicants monthly. “Monday through Friday, from 3 to 5 p.m., I’m on the phone because I want to touch base with future students and build relationships with them.”

Lacay has made hundreds of additional contacts while assisting other counselors. She was recognized in May by the North American Coalition for Christian Admissions Professionals as a regional Rookie of the Year and recently received a GREAT job award from Bethel.

“I believe in this place so much, as a student and now as an admissions counselor,” she says. “I had an incredible experience here, and I want to reach students and encourage them to come here as well.”

But more than just recruiting students, Lacay sees her job as an opportunity for ministry.

“I remember being a senior in high school,” says Lacay. “That was a crucial time for me, and I felt like as an admissions counselor I could really help students during that stage.”

Now, Lacay applies the lessons she learned as a youth ministry student in her current role as an admissions counselor.

“I would not be the person I am today if I had not come to Bethel,” she says. “And I want other students to have that opportunity, too.”

Lacay transferred to Bethel at the beginning of her sophomore year of college. Though she started as a business major, she felt led to consider other options.

“I took Dr. Bob’s ‘Exploring the Christian Faith’ class, and I really was drawn to ministry,” she remembers. “I just really wanted to tell people about Jesus.”

Laurent encouraged Lacay to pursue youth ministry.

“He told me that if I could teach students, I could teach anybody,” Lacay remembers. “He encouraged me to go into youth ministry, and I felt peace about that. I didn’t really know what I wanted to do specifically, but I knew I wanted to work with students and I wanted to do ministry.”

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in youth ministry and adolescent studies, Lacay pursued youth ministry in California and Hawaii before returning to Bethel in the fall of 2012 as an admission counselor.

“I loved my time here as a student,” says Lacay. “I believe this place is anointed. This is where I came to know Christ more. I was discipled here. It’s a special place that just drew me back.”