Staff and LEadership Council

The Ministry Staff and Leadership Council of CCM work together to provide a unique experience for the Newman Community to grow in faith together. 

Get to know those who serve you!  

  • Nate ediger, M.A.

    CAMPUS MINISTER

    nediger@ashland.edu


    ​ Nate has been a Campus Minister for the Diocese of Cleveland since 2013. He began serving the Newman Community at Ashland University, his alma mater, in the fall of 2015. Nate hopes to help students at AU aspire to a fuller realization of Christian discipleship characterized by "two essential elements: conversion and mission" (Pope Francis, Nov. 22, 2014). While his office is located in the Lower Chapel, more often than not you won't find him there - he much prefers to be sharing faith and life with students, faculty, and staff all around campus!


    Nate and his wife Jen met at AU in 1996. They were married in July of 1999 and have since blessed with four amazing children: Sophia, Chloe, Paxon, and Megan. A grace-filled journey of faith through various Protestant traditions (Mennonite, Southern Baptist, and Lutheran) eventually brought Nate and his family into full communion with the Catholic Church in 2013. Beyond family-life and campus ministry, Nate enjoys recreational activities (basketball, tennis, kayaking, hiking, etc.), reading, watching sports, and consuming far too much coffee and ice cream.


    Nate is a 1998 graduate of Ashland University (B.A. Religion). He spent six years working as a job foreman for a residential building contractor before returning to AU from 2003-2005 as a non-traditional student in the Bachelors Plus Program for Teacher Education. From 2005-2013, Nate served as the Director of Youth Ministry at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ashland. In May of 2018, he received the degree of  M.A. Theology from Walsh University. 

  • Elizabeth Paydo

    COORDINATOR OF DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRY

    epaydo@ashland.edu


    Elizabeth is from Wadsworth, OH and is excited to support the Catholic Campus Ministry team. Elizabeth will be spending time on campus meeting with students and helping them understand and learn about their God-given talents to serve Ashland University and the Catholic Church. She will also be spending time coordinating small groups, coaching students through discipleship formation, and helping train upcoming leaders in the Catholic Campus Ministry community! She is also working on starting her own business from home to improve the placement of foster children. Elizabeth greatly enjoys spending time in the outdoors camping, hiking, and doing water and snow sports. She also loves spending time with her friends and family. 

     

    Elizabeth graduated with her undergraduate degree in 2020 with majors in Business Management, Entrepreneurship, and Supply Chain Management. She graduated in 2021 with her Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in Project Management. While in college, Elizabeth served as the Student Campus Ministry for Catholic Campus Ministry and found her true passion serving students in the art of discipleship and faith formation ministry.

  • Mikayla Alcantar

    Student Campus Minister, Intern

    malcant2@ashland.edu


    Mikayla is a sophomore majoring in Public Relations in Strategic Communication. She is originally from Madison, OH, of Lake County, and has one younger sister Lilly. She enjoys sporadically singing and dancing, fishing, long walks with no destination, taste testing cookie dough, traveling, and petting dogs. She is a cradle Catholic who is ecstatic to serve the Ashland Community by assisting with retreat plans, working as a missionary disciple, and spreading details about events. Above all, she is here to walk with you through your journey that is life which has the most exciting destination, HEAVEN.


  • Ellie Lohr

    Liturgy Co-Chair

    elohr@ashland.edu


    Eleanor is a Junior majoring in Digital Media Production and minoring in Sport Management. She is from Painesville, OH who lives with her family and three cats. She loves football, The Perks of Being A Wallflower, Stitch, cats, and Disney. On campus, she is a member of the marching band, Kappa Kappa Psi, Sports Business Club, AU-TV20, and the Collegian. Eleanor has loved singing since she was little and has found a passion for sharing her voice with others. As part of leadership council, Eleanor coordinates the music and psalm for mass. She is excited to continue the growth of the music ministry and invites anyone to join!

  • Quinn Wright

    Liturgy Co-Chair

    qwright2@ashland.edu




  • Sophia Ediger

    Social Co-Chair

    sediger@ashland.edu


    Sophia is a sophomore Nursing major from Ashland, Ohio. She coordinates social activities for Newman--game and movie nights, holiday parties, gatherings on and off campus, and more. Sophia is passionate about helping to facilitate more meaningful connections and deeper relationships among members of the Newman Community. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. 


  • Adelyn reef

    Service & Justice Chair

    areef@ashland.edu


    Adelyn is a sophomore from Ashland, Ohio and is majoring in Nursing. She is currently an STNA at The Good Shepherd Nursing Home and a freshman volleyball coach at Ashland High School. She aspires to be a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Adelyn finds great joy in leading and serving others and feels called to help those in need. She coordinates service events for Newman. 


  • mckenna woodruff

    Faith Formation Co-Chair (Retreat)

    mwoodru2@ashland.edu


    McKenna is a junior majoring in Dietetics with a minor in Chemistry. She is originally from Wakeman, OH and has two younger sisters. McKenna is a member of the track and field team at Ashland and is also the service and fundraising chair of the Student Dietetics Association. She works on campus as tour guide. As a member of the Newman Leadership Council, McKenna coordinates and organizes small groups and retreat. 


  • Anne Casey

    Faith Formation Co-Chair (Prayer)

    acasey5@ashland.edu


    Anne is a Junior philosophy and political science major. She’s from Seville, Ohio, and is the fourth of six children. She enjoys reading and writing, art, and going on walks. By serving as the faith formation chair, Anne hopes to help students grow in their faith by organizing reading groups as well as creating more opportunities for students to attend daily mass and adoration.


  • Sophie George

    Faith Formation Co-Chair (Small Groups)

    sgeorge6@ashland.edu


    Sophie is a freshman from Independence, Ohio, majoring in dietetics and minoring in religion. She is currently involved in other campus activities, such as the Student Dietetics Association and club soccer. Sophie loves traveling, Taylor Swift music, and is excited to continue to grow in her faith and share the love of Jesus with others!