MEET OUR STAFF
TJ SCHAEFER
Co-Director
Tj grew up around the Edinboro area, graduating from Northwestern High School. He obtained his bachelor's degree in health and physical education with a concentration in exercise science from Edinboro University in 2016. He has been serving as a full-time missionary with Chi Alpha since 2016 and is currently operating as co-director at Edinboro. He is lovingly married to his incredible wife, Nicole, and has a wonderful son, Ezra. They live right outside of town on some beautiful country land with their two pups.
“I love pastoring students throughout their process of taking ownership of their faith. Seeing their passion in the pursuit of God is incredible and equipping them to live out their faith in Jesus is an honor.”
#TjsFavs: Spending Time with My Wife and Son, Hammocking, Board & Card Games, Anime, Star Wars, Reading, Adventures, and Laughing
BRIANNA MESSINGER
CMIT Director
Bri is originally from just outside of Pittsburgh, PA, but her life moved to Edinboro in 2012, and she graduated from the University in 2016 with a bachelor's degree in art education and comprehensive secondary english education. She then completed her CMIT year at Edinboro in 2018 and has been on staff since.
She and her husband, Trevor, live near Corry, PA.
"I love Jesus, and I want to share that with other people. I'm so grateful that we get to do just that with such unique, diverse, and passionate students at this school."
#BrisFavs: spending time with family, campfires, painting, and ceramics
Tehya grew up in Albion, PA and graduated from Northwestern in 2019. She received her bachelor's degree in Business + Marketing from PennWest Edinboro in December of 2022. Tehya then completed her CMIT year at Edinboro in 2024 and stepped onto the staff team.
"I love walking with young women through life's celebrations and challenges. I enjoy fostering Christ-like sisterhood in a culture that rejects missional community."
#TehyasFavs: Christmas, Hot Cocoa, Gilmore Girls, Ice Cream, and Being with People
Ryan grew up around the Edinboro area graduating from Northwestern High School in 2017. He obtained his associate's degree in sport and recreation management. He also obtained his Bachelor's in sport and recreation management from Edinboro in 2021. He is currently serving as a CMIT. He also helps coordinated Edinboro Chi Alpha's worship team.
"I am passionate about seeing our students understand their God given identity and unpacking the giftings He has for them. It's such an honor to see their hunger for the Lord grow."
#RyansFavs: Drumming, Spending Time with My Wife, Sports, and Fun Socks
ALLYSON SARRING
Co-Director
Ally grew up in Edinboro, PA. She graduated from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 2014 with a bachelor's in journalism & mass communications. Ally grew up in the church but her faith didn't become her own until she came to college. That is why she is so passionate about reaching this generation for Jesus. She completed her CMIT (Campus Missionary In Training) program at Edinboro University Chi Alpha in 2015, and has been on staff since. For the last five years, she has served as Co-Director of Edinboro Chi Alpha. And in May of 2022, Ally became an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God.
"God has such a huge heart for college students. Every day I get to witness students having an encounter with Jesus for the first time, and it's an honor to journey with students as they put down roots in their faith. The Kingdom of God is continuing to grow on college campuses all across the nation. We pray, 'Here as it is in heaven.' "
#AllysFavs: Taco Bell, Fall, Photography, Gilmore Girls, Goats, Journaling, and a Warm Cup of Tea
JOHNATHAN MENDOZA
CMIT Coordinator
Jonathan was born and raised in Queens, NY. He graduated from Southeastern University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Missional Ministries, knowing God had called him to be a missionary, but not knowing any of the specifics. After his time spent interning with the Young Adult Ministry at Bethlehem Assembly of God, Jonathan came to the realization that the college campus was a mission field, and that students needed people to invest in their lives, the same way someone had done for him. His home church decided to partner with Chi Alpha missionaries who were looking to impact NYC campuses, and that’s where his XA journey began. After completing his 2-year internship, Jonathan has been on staff since the Fall of 2020.
“I genuinely want our students to know and encounter the Person of Jesus. Many of them come in with ideas, philosophies, and other baggage that gets in the way, but I know from personal experience that understanding that the Lord is alive and that He speaks to us makes all of the difference. We will do so much more for the love of the Person of Jesus than we would ever do for the sake of religious tradition, and I’m so excited to see the Lord capture the hearts of people on Edinboro’s campus.”
#JonathansFavs: Video Games, the Season Fall, Chocolate in all its Forms, and Spontaneous Adventures
Ashleigh grew up in Kane, not too far from Edinboro. After finding Christian community at a different university, it became a priority as she looked for a new school to transfer to. Ashleigh came to Edinboro after connecting with Chi Alpha and graduated in 2022 with her Bachelor's in Political Science. After volunteering with Chi Alpha for 2 years while working at a non-profit, Ashleigh is excited to be completing the internship alongside her amazing husband, Ryan
"I saw the impact Christian community had not only in my college-career, but in my life. It is an honor to make our XA community accessible to everyone at Edinboro, regardless of belief or background."
#AshleighsFavs: Law & Order: SVU, Buffalo Bills, Family Basset Hound, Ramen, and Watching Ryan Drum