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Admissions Counselors

We are here to help!

Your admissions counselor is here to help you learn what SBU has to offer, navigate the admissions and financial aid processes, and answer any questions you might have. Use the map below to meet your SBU admissions counselor!

AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY

Transfer Students

Graduate & Worldwide Students


Natalie Goatley

Director of Undergraduate Admissions

Natalie Goatley, Admissions Counselor

Call: (417) 328-1817
Email: nokeefe@SBUniv.edu

Tips for success in your first year at SBU: Get plugged in! The options for campus and community involvement are endless. Try new things and explore your options. Plug in to activities and groups on campus, but also be engaged in the Bolivar community. Finding a local church will powerfully enrich your college experience!

What sets SBU apart from other universities? Southwest Baptist University is unique in that the focus is preparing students to be successful in every area of their lives. Students receive an excellent education, while also being nurtured spiritually, emotionally and socially. I'm so thankful that God led me to a place that fostered growth in every facet of my life!


Denise Emert M.Ed

Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions

Denise Emmert M.Ed, Senior Admissions CounselorStates: MO
Missouri Counties: Cedar, Christian, Greene, Polk

Cell: (417) 327-5554 | Office: (417) 328-3796
Email: denise.emert@SBUniv.edu

What sets SBU apart? At Southwest Baptist University, we are unapologetically Christian. From mandatory Chapel attendance to the expectations we have for students and faculty, we strive to let Jesus shine through everything that we do.  
 
What does SBU mean to you? Southwest Baptist University feels like home. When I came here as a first-generation college student from rural Missouri, I fell in love with Bolivar. The community felt safe, and it was just the right distance from my parents. The staff and faculty at SBU care about each student and are ready to welcome them to be part of the community. SBU helped me learn how to be an adult and grow in my Christian faith in ways that I never could have expected.  


Ian Martin

Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions

Ian Martin, Admissions Counselor

States:  AL, AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY

Cell: (417) 298-3375 | Office: (417) 328-1912
Email: imartin@SBUniv.edu

What does SBU mean to you? SBU is a place where anyone can come to be encouraged and not put down. It is a place that offers many opportunities for future endeavors. The Bearcat community is one of the best and is a place that the staff and faculty push you to be the best that you can be in every part of your life. SBU is a place that helps you grow in your walk with Christ. Finally, it is a place where once you get involved it is going to be hard to leave it.

Tips for success in your first year at SBU: Make yourself at home here. The first tip is to get involved and be outgoing. Do not just stay in your room all day and night. Make friends and then make some memories. Participate outside of the classroom and you will have the best time here. The second tip is to stay caught up with classes. No procrastination! Work hard and find a fun way to do it. Creating study groups, making games of it, and asking questions are a great way to do this. This is your college experience and it is whatever you make of it.


Ashton Rogers

Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions

Ashton Rogers, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions

Recruiting Territory: Transfer Students and Missouri

Cell: (417) 327-5556 | Office: (417) 328-1824
Email: arogers@SBUniv.edu

Tips for success in your first year at SBU: Trust God's plan. Follow your heart in your decision making and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you. Be yourself and take advantage of all the amazing resources on campus.

What sets SBU apart from other universities? SBU prepares you to step into the job market with Christ as the center of your life, which is emphasized through your skills, practice, and development. The faculty will go above and beyond to help you learn to be a Christian in your professional journey.


Christy Robertson 

Admissions Counselor

Christy RobertsonRecruiting Territory: Missouri
States:
MO
Missouri Counties: Benton, Camden, Cole, Cooper, Dallas, Dent, Douglas, Hickory, Howell, Laclede, Maries, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Oregon, Osage, Ozark, Pettis, Phelps, Pulaski, Shannon, Stone, Taney, Texas, Webster, Wright

Cell: (417) 399-1508 | Office: (417) 328-1814
Email: christine.robertson@SBUniv.edu

What does SBU mean to me? When I think about SBU I can't help but smile, as an alumni I think about being a student here at SBU and the wonderful memories.  My time as a student was filled with wonderful friendships, professors that truly care about me, lots of fun activities on campus, musical theater and many other music performances,  mission trips, and so many opportunities to grow spiritually. 

What sets SBU apart from other universities?  Definitely the small caring community and the professors that invest in their students are part of what sets SBU apart from other Universities. But I think what really sets SBU apart from other universities is that were are unapologetically a Christ Centered University.

Tips for success in your first year at SBU?  Get involved!!  Obviously keep up with your schoolwork and do your best to stay ahead.  Ask for help if you need it , there are plenty of people around that are more than willing to help.  But allow yourself time to get involved in some of the great things at SBU. Get involved in a local church.   Most importantly trust God and seek His will for your life. Jeremiah 29:11


Aaron Hayes

Senior Admissions Counselor

Aaron Hayes, Senior Admissions CounselorStates: KS, MO, NE
Missouri Counties: 
Andrew, Atchison, Barry, Barton, Bates, Buchanan, Caldwell, Carroll, Cass, Clay, Clinton, Dade, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Henry, Holt, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Lafayette, Lawrence, Livingston, McDonald, Mercer, Newton, Nodaway, Platte, Ray, Saline, St. Clair, Vernon, Worth

Cell: (417) 327-9429 | Office: (417) 328-1800
Email: ahayes@SBUniv.edu 

What sets SBU apart from other universities? SBU's community is unlike any other! There are so many different ways to get connected, while being true to yourself. God has a place for you here, a mission to do, and people to help you do it!

Tips for success in your first year at SBU: Surround yourself with people who will push you to do your best and be there to speak truth into you, especially at times when you can't do it yourself. Whether that be other students, professors, pastors, families in the community - surround yourself with them and always tell them how much they mean to you! Be that light of Christ to others and make a difference in their lives as well. You will be amazed how much God uses you and works in you when you love others well.


Brock Wilken

Admissions Counselor

Brock Wilken, Admissions CounselorStates: IL, MO
Missouri Counties: Adair, Audrain, Bollinger, Boone, Butler, Callaway, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Chariton, Clark, Crawford, Dunklin, Franklin, Gasconade, Howard, Iron, Jefferson, Knox, Lewis, Lincoln, Linn, Macon, Madison, Marion, Mississippi, Monroe, Montgomery, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Perry, Pike, Putnam, Ralls, Randolph, Reynolds, Ripley, Schuyler, Scotland, Scott, Shelby, St. Charles, St. Francois, St. Genevieve, St. Louis, St. Louis City, Stoddard, Sullivan, Warren, Washington, Wayne

Cell: (417) 327-5553 | Office: (417) 328-1829
Email: brock.wilken@SBUniv.edu

Tips for success in your first year at SBU: My best piece of advice is having a routine that you do every day. It is nice to know when you have class, free time, time to eat, practice, and time to hang out with your friends. Sometimes I got lost in my day-to-day life because I lacked a routine. Once I found my routine, I felt like I had great time management, especially being an athlete.

What sets SBU apart from other universities? The community at SBU sets it apart from other Universities. It is a small community that helps build and grow each other in all aspects of life. Everyone is warm and welcoming on campus. That made SBU feel like home and why I chose to come here.

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