Alumni Advisory Council

The Redeemer University Alumni Advisory Council is a dedicated group of alumni who serve as a resource to the university and provide advice and feedback on the alumni program. The Advisory Council is neither a governance nor an oversight committee. The Advisory Council supports the Alumni Office in connecting alumni to one another and to the University in ways that are mutually beneficial, and helps advance the overall mission of the institution.

Apply to be on the Alumni Advisory Council

Are you a proud Redeemer alum who wants to see Redeemer alumni engaged with Redeemer, and see Redeemer thrive for years to come? Apply to be on Council!

Current Members

Meet Redeemer’s Alumni Advisory Council!

Aren Plante (’19)

Aren graduated from Redeemer in 2019 with his B.A. (Hon.) in History and Political Science. While at Redeemer, he served as an academic senator, worked as a teaching assistant, and participated in a study abroad program at Oxford University. Aren recently completed his Master of Public Administration in Local Government from the University of Western. Aren grew up in Haldimand County and has had the opportunity to travel to over 40 countries around the world.

Daniel Vander Hout (’21)

Daniel recently graduated with a Honours Bachelor of Arts with a major in Accounting and a minor in Political Science. As a student, Daniel demonstrated his appreciation for Redeemer’s unparalleled sense of community by actively participating in the Academic Senate, various committees, and student clubs. Since graduating, Daniel has worked at the family greenhouses in Flamborough. Daniel is eager to stay active in the university and to continue building up the Redeemer community.

Katrina de Schiffert (’18)

Leanna Nightingale (’18)

Leanna graduated Redeemer in 2018 with a double major in business and psychology. She is currently working at Indwell as a Donor Engagement Coordinator in Hamilton. Leanna discovered Redeemer by going to a siblings weekend when her older sister attended and fell in love with the community atmosphere that Redeemer is so good at creating. After she graduated, she wanted to stay connected and Alumni Council was a perfect opportunity to do so. Leanna believes Redeemer graduates are a part of a large network of people who are changing the world around them and wanted to be involved in supporting this network as they go out and bring change.

Steven Schilstra (‘08)

Steven graduated from Redeemer in 2008 with an honours major in Religion & Theology and a minor in Business. After Redeemer, he completed the apprenticeship program at Mohawk College and received a Red Seal in carpentry. He lives in Hamilton with his wife Evelyn and daughter Ellie and currently works as a Realtor with RE/MAX Escarpment Realty in Hamilton and Niagara. Steven’s time at Redeemer was an incredible time of growth in faith and knowledge and he developed many friendships and deep connections that have lasted to this day. He started out as a business major but soon switched gears after taking the core Religion classes. He became passionate about worldview and deepening his understanding of the Christian faith. Redeemer has given Steven a Biblical framework that helps and encourages him to live out his faith. He is thankful for what Redeemer has given him, proud to be alumni, and looks forward to having a positive impact on his fellow alumni by helping and encouraging them to stay engaged with Redeemer.

Kristin Zekveld (‘17)

Kristin graduated from Redeemer in 2017 with a major in History, a minor in Music and a B.Ed. She is a teacher who lives in Bolton. She says that Christian education on all levels is very near and dear to her heart.  Christian Higher Education is foundational for the future of the Church and the future of  our country and the world.  She wishes to be instrumental in continuing to serve in God’s kingdom so that it may continue to spread throughout the world through the graduates of Redeemer. Kristin knows that Redeemer has positively impacted her in her Christian journey and she wants to continue to assist in Redeemer’s positive impact on the Christian journey of many others.

Shams Siddiqi (’19)

Shams graduated Redeemer with a Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban and Intercultural Ministry. He has since gone on to be a Church Planting Intern with his church and is working on a Master’s of Arts in Christian Studies at McMaster Divinity College. Shams loved his experience at Redeemer and was intensely involved through Student Senate and Residence Life. He is excited to continue to be involved at Redeemer as it grows, and hopes to see more alumni involved in Redeemer whether financially or through service.

 Samuel Vandeputte (’22)

Student Senate representative

Each year, the Vice President of Student Affairs on Student Senate joins the Alumni Advisory Council to provide updates on the student experience.

Christine Giancola — Chair & Institutional representative

Christine graduated from Redeemer in 2009 with a B.A. in political science and psychology. Additionally, she studied at the Laurentian Leadership Centre in 2009, and Royal Roads University and earned an M.A. in Conflict Analysis & Management in 2015. Christine is the Director of Strategic Relations at Redeemer, and currently leads the institutional portfolios of alumni, church, parent, community, and government relations. She is excited to help connect alumni who love Redeemer to the institution in meaningful ways.

 

Relevant Documents

Redeemer University Alumni Advisory Council Guidelines