Eric has spent much of his life, both as a student and a teacher, in the public university setting and has long experience as a mentor. He enjoys exploring the big questions about life, faith, and calling with students of all backgrounds. Eric holds a B.A. in History from the University of Michigan, an M.Div. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in History from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Alongside his role at Upper House, he serves as Teaching Professor of History at UW—Madison. Eric is married to Cindy, and they have three grown sons. His other loves include travel, language, music of many kinds, hikes around Lake Wingra, and the company of friends.

Rebecca values purposeful gatherings and spiritual formation in her roles as an event curator, instructor in the Fellows Program, and director of the Upper House Intern Program. On any given day, you will find her mentoring college students, emceeing a conference, or leading a cohort on African-American history. Rebecca was a Chancellor’s Scholar at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she earned a B.A. in French and International Studies—Global Security. She has since worked with multiple ministries in event coordination and teaching, and has been recognized as one of Wisconsin’s Most Influential Black Leaders. Rebecca delights in living in Madison, and she spends her time loving her friends as family, pushing through a run, hunting for the best chai latte, and singing whatever Broadway tune comes to mind.

Jean is a senior advisor at Upper House and has a passion for justice and shining God’s light in dark places. She loves to mentor students and work with people of different faiths and backgrounds who share this passion. As 4W Director for Human Rights, Child Protection, and Global Policy at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Jean led an anti-human trafficking project called STREETS and has taught related courses as a Visiting Distinguished Lecturer. She earned a B.S.B.A. from Georgetown University, an M.S. from Michigan State University, and her Ph.D. from UW–Madison. Jean is married to Chris and lives in Oshkosh with her family. You’ll find her happiest hanging out with eagles, chickadees, deer and other critters on the shores of Huron Bay in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Nikki completed a B.S. in Computer Science at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. During her time in Minnesota, she was part of the Anselm House Fellows Program, where she realized that approaching the world—and specifically her studies—through a Christian perspective had larger implications than it initially seemed. Having now entered “the real world,” Nikki continues to explore what work and witness can look like and looks forward to coming alongside students who are considering similar questions. Outside of these philosophical ponderings, things that bring Nikki joy include loudly singing along with music, stretching thought experiments to their illogical limits, and watching D&D.

Gar is a Distinguished Fellow in Biblical Studies at the Lumen Center. His vocational life has been devoted to investing in people who wish to love and serve God, including those preparing for ministry in the church, helping them to think seriously about how to live that out. For 18 years, he had the privilege of exercising that calling among students in campus ministry with InterVarsity, and for the past 24 years, he has been a professor of New Testament and sometimes dean in theological seminaries, including Nashotah House Theological Seminary here in Wisconsin. Gar holds a Ph.D. in Theology from Marquette University. He confesses to having too many academic interests and being an amateur with all of them! He is married to Dawn, and they have three grown, married children and four adorable grandchildren. 

Maggie finds herself interested in almost everything—which has made establishing a career path a fun endeavor—but she constantly circles back to teaching. She loves the challenge of helping people consider new ideas, find their own opinions, and learn to talk with others who may see the world differently. As a scholar, Maggie researches American evangelicalism and the intersections between family, theology, culture, and politics. Her teaching interests range widely, from language education to Constitutional history to the American culture wars. Maggie has a B.A. in History from UW–Stevens Point and an M.A. in History from UW–Madison. In her spare time, she coaches a debate team, reads as much fiction as possible, and relaxes at home with her husband, their dogs Lewis and Piper, and their cat Keller.

Kevin enjoys helping people think deeply about how the Bible as an ancient book relates to our modern lives. He is on the Hebrew department faculty at the University of the Free State, South Africa, where teaches graduate students remotely from Madison. His research focuses on Biblical Hebrew poetry, examining how God’s word speaks uniquely through its poetic features. After doing an M.Div. at Fuller Theological Seminary, he came to UW–Madison to obtain an M.A. and Ph.D. in Hebrew. As a graduate student, he also served as a T.A. in Chemistry. He is grateful for his background in science, which helps him consider how the Bible can be approached through multiple lenses. When not working, Kevin wanders the streams of Wisconsin, flyfishing for trout. Kevin is married to Suzanna and has two adult sons. 

Emma loves building meaningful relationships and serving those around her. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Biomedical Data Science at UW–Madison, where she studies how artificial intelligence is used in healthcare and how these tools can be evaluated responsibly and with integrity. She graduated from the University of Indianapolis and is especially interested in discerning what faithful excellence looks like within academic life. Emma is deeply invested in cultivating Christian community and contributing thoughtfully to it. When she’s not working, you’ll likely find her sampling a new restaurant, planning her next trip, or diving into whatever question has captured most recently captured her curiosity. 

Jon has served with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship’s Graduate & Faculty Ministry at UW–Madison for more than 30 years. Before that, he worked as a resource conservationist. Jon holds a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering Technology from UW–Platteville and a Master’s in Theological Studies from Regent College at the University of British Columbia. His wife, Julie, recently retired as a faculty associate in UW–Madison’s Department of Continuing Studies. They have two adult sons and two cats. Jon enjoys studying UW–Madison as an institution and researching its history. He also likes working on houses, cars, and bicycles, but he enjoys nothing more than folding up in a rocking chair by the fireplace with a good book.

After spending a quarter-century in the Christian college classroom teaching American history and courses on the integration of faith and learning, John is thrilled to be joining the Upper House Fellows team. He is passionate about getting people—young and old—to think Christianly about their world and learn how to love God with their minds.  John has an M.Div. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and a Ph.D. in U.S. History from SUNY at Stony Brook. He is the author of six books and numerous articles that explore the intersection of history, religion, politics, and the Christian academic vocation.  Apart from his faith, family, and work, he has two loves: Bruce Springsteen and the New York Mets! 

Sharon has been shaped by growing up in a multicultural environment in Nigeria and living in close proximity to people struggling with injustice, disease, and poverty. The problem of suffering caught her attention early in life. As a third culture individual, she learned to observe carefully and listen attentively. Sharon received a B.A. in English literature from Westmont College and an MA from the University of Illinois, where she later taught. Responding to the call to do justice and love mercy, she earned an MSSW in clinical social work from UW–Madison and trained in spiritual direction at the Franciscan Spirituality Center. She cares deeply about integrating heart, mind, and soul. Having worked in settings where listening with an open heart and mind is essential, Sharon brings the gift of listening to the Fellows Program as a counselor in residence.

Princess first encountered the Upper House Fellows Program during its pilot cohort in 2020. Through that experience she discovered how much she enjoyed connecting with Christians she might not otherwise have met around Madison. Then and now, conversations centered on Jesus have brought her great joy. Princess’s love for music led her to earn a B.A. in Music Performance from UW–Madison. She later left he city briefly to spend time in Los Angeles, where she received an M.Ed. in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs from the University of Southern California. She now works as a Career Coach at the Wisconsin School of Business. In her free time, Princess enjoys reading, leading worship and playing music, and spending time with friends. 

Devin is a Fellow in Biblical Studies at the Lumen Center and an Associate Pastor of Christian Education at High Point Church. A dedicated teacher and scholar, Devin is passionate about helping Christians understand their faith so they can live with clarity and purpose. He has taught biblical studies and theology at universities, seminaries, and churches, equipping students and congregants alike to engage scripture deeply and thoughtfully. Devin holds a Ph.D. in New Testament Studies from Emory University and previously served as a Research Fellow at the Australian Catholic University’s Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry. When he’s not teaching or writing, Devin enjoys hiking Wisconsin’s Ice Age Scenic Trail, reading snobby, highbrow essays, and—thanks to his kids—is now fully convinced that Will Arnett is the best Batman.