OUR TEAM

Staff

After graduating from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in 2010 with a degree in Asian Literature and Language, Josh started at the Hospitality Center as a volunteer and furniture intern looking to connect to Chinese students using his Mandarin. Since then, he has been a “Josh-of-all-trades” performing to some extent nearly every role in the organization. In 2016, he met and eventually married the volunteer coordinator, Sarah, and they are enjoying raising their first child, Liliana Joy. In his free time, he loves landscaping, photography, camping, and soccer. Josh is excited to lead the organization using the gifts and strengths God has given him.

Contact Josh at [email protected]

Jenna Herman — Click to read Jenna's bio

Jenna attended the University of Northwestern - St. Paul where she graduated with a degree in Spanish, minoring in Art and Bible. Her love for other cultures and languages began in late high school, and it only increased during her time teaching at a Christian English camp in the Czech Republic, studying abroad in Costa Rica, and visiting other countries. She has a passion for international students and helping them feel at home and connected in Minnesota. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, baking, making candles (and other art endeavors), and spending time with friends and family. She started out as a volunteer and then an intern and is excited to now be on staff with the Hospitality Center!

Contact Jenna at [email protected]

Annie Ogazi — Click to read Abigail's bio

Having grown up on the mission field in South Africa, Tanzania, and Portugal, Abigail developed a deep love and respect for culture and the transformative power of the Gospel. Her time at university highlighted her passion for college ministry and international communities. After marrying a Minnesotan and earning her Master’s in International Relations, she started looking for ways to serve where the Lord had placed her and found the Hospitality Center. Her desire to equip the Church to be the hands and feet of Christ in international communities aligns perfectly with the HC’s mission, and she is eager to minister to the local pockets of community where the world comes to us and local missions becomes global. When Abigail is not in the office, you can find her at her favorite coffee shop, buried in a book, or searching for her next thrifted treasure.

Megan describes herself as many things. A sister, friend, writer, daughter, passionate learner, and more, but everything changed when her primary identity became a follower of the One who redeemed and transformed her life. Since then, whether during her time studying ministry and psychology at the University of Northwestern or getting her Master’s in Christian Thought from Bethel Seminary, she has been passionate about sharing the gospel and loving people who don’t yet know Him. Prior to joining the Hospitality Center, Megan worked in college and young adult ministry equipping young people in the church for mission in their communities. Given her unique set of passions and experiences she is beyond excited that God has brought her to the Hospitality Center to participate in the global mission of the Church. She believes wholeheartedly that sharing the love of Jesus with international students is an opportunity to reach the unreached with His love and is honored to use the gifts God gave her to be a part of the mission.

Contact Megan at [email protected]

Anoop, an ordained Lutheran minister from India, graduated from Luther Seminary with a Master of Theology degree. His love for theology and ministry brought him to the United States. As he explored youth ministry in the United States, he fell in love with it and dedicated himself to live the gospel amongst the young people. His hope is to make more connections with the International students at UoM, and bring them closer to HC. In his free time, he loves singing, watching and playing cricket with friends. His heart is also for volunteering, and playing Badminton. .

Contact Anoop at [email protected]

After growing up in Minnesota with a love for storytelling, Kennedy took her pen and paper to North Dakota State University, where she graduated with a degree in English Professional Writing and International Studies. During her studies, she got to travel the world and discovered a love for the international students on her campus. As she studied the Bible, she was moved by the mercy that she saw Jesus exhibit to his neighbors, so after working in marketing, Kennedy changed her neighborhood and moved to Bangkok, Thailand for two years. Her time there was spent being a neighbor and friend, along with Thai learner, social worker, and church ministry partner. In her free time, Kennedy enjoys playing Thai music on the guitar, living up to her self-proclaimed foodie title, and making Jesus a little bit more known everywhere she goes.