By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Chris Sanders, a CU alumnus and former employee in the Center for International Education, has returned to his alma mater to become the new assistant dean of the Center for International Education (CIE) at Campbellsville University.

Sanders, who served as vice president for international programs at Upper Iowa University's Office of International Programs in Fayette, Iowa from February 2011 until his employment at CU Jan. 3, 2012, will “take the helm of the CIE and take us to a whole new level,” said Dr. DeWayne Frazier, associate vice president for academic affairs at CU.

“I am immensely honored to have the opportunity to serve Campbellsville University and humbled by the confidence of the administration to permit me to take on this leadership role with my alma mater,” Sanders said.

“I look forward to supporting CU's mission and vision in my new role as assistant dean and hope to bring new enthusiasm to the Office of International Education,” he said.

Sanders, who received his master's of business administration degree at CU in May 2007, received his bachelor of science degree in exercise science/sports medicine with a minor in health education at CU in May 2000 graduating magna cum laude.

He was employed at the university from February 2003 until September 2007.

“CU has always made me feel like I was part of a family and having been blessed with this chance to return is like I am coming home again. GO TIGERS!” Sanders said.

Frazier worked with Sanders at Upper Iowa and said, “Chris was my executive director while I was the senior vice president and, after my departure from Upper Iowa, he served in the vice president role moving the program forward during the transition. He did an excellent job and learned various skills that will assist him in his new role at CU.”

Frazier said the CIE has gone through “some sweeping changes in the last nine months.”

“We really have a great team in place who care about this institution, the students and most importantly, the Lord,” Frazier said.  “This is an answered prayer for me.”

The entire staff was reorganized with new staff members Dennis Paiva, Marcus Stanfield and Ann Wells with now Chris Sanders at the helm.

Sanders joins Dennis Paiva, who Frazier said is “one of the best employees I have had in my years as a supervisor;” Marcus Stanfield who “brings tremendous experience in student services to his role as international student advisor;” and Ann Wells “who has decades of experience in customer service including time as a United Airlines specialist for elite status clients.”

CU is ranked 15th in the Open Doors Report nationally for enrolling international students. Open Doors is a report from the Institute of International Education (IIE), a private nonprofit leader in the international exchange of people and ideas.

Paiva, who returned to work at CU in August 2011, had previously worked in the Office of Admissions at CU. He has an associate of applied business degree from Northwest State Community College, a bachelor of science in information technology with business emphasis from Defiance College, and a master of business and organizational leadership from Defiance College.

He is married to Jennie Hall Paiva, a 2003 CU undergraduate with a marketing/management major and a 2005 master of business administration graduate, and they have a daughter, Luci.

Stanfield has been employed at CU since 2005 where he was resident director of South Hall East Residence Hall. He received his associate of arts degree from The Ohio State University, and then, while employed at CU, he earned his bachelor of art degree in biblical studies in 2008 and his master of theology in 2011.

He served as evangelist/worship leader/student of Islamic studies for Operation Mobilization in London, England from 2002 to 2004.

He is married to Kellie Cecil Stanfield, a CU alumnae who received her bachelor degree in communications/theater arts in 2006 and her master of arts in special education in 2010. They have two children: Ezra and Lyric.

Wells began work at CU in October. She worked at United Airlines for 10 years, beginning as a reservation agent in Seattle. She moved to headquarters in Chicago, working her way up to crew scheduler for 737-300 pilots. While there, she received commendations from both the United States Air Force and the Air National Guard for providing them with reserve pilots who were properly trained and documented during Desert Storm and Desert Shield.

After marrying her husband, Rob, she moved back to Seattle, where she worked for Alaska Airlines and became a concierge in the boardroom. She and her husband have a total of six children, ranging from 36 to 24 years. They have four grandchildren.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,500 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master's degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.