Financial Aid Team
Dawn Tippey - Director of Financial Aid
Hi! I'm the Director of Financial Aid and Non-Immigration Services. Born and raised in Laurel, MD, Illinois became a second home to me, having lived there five years prior to moving here. I graduated from Greenville College with a BA in Music and a minor in Religion. A couple months later I married my husband, Paul. We moved to Wilmore in order for Paul to pursue his calling to seminary and ministry. Little did we know that God had called us to full-time ministry here at the seminary!!
Two days after moving to Wilmore, I started working at the seminary, first in the ESJ School and now in financial aid. On the side of my employment, I was able to finish my Masters degree in Church Music. In my spare time, I love to play guitar, piano, sing, go camping, read a good book, hang out with our friends and family, and most of all, I love spending quality time with my husband and our four wonderful children. Asbury Seminary has been a blessing to my husband and I, and I hope that you too will soon share in the blessings that are to be found here.
Cherith Meeks - Financial Aid Consultant
Hi! I'm Cherith Meeks, Financial Aid Consultant for students whose last names begin with A-K.
I grew up in upstate NY, just outside of Rochester. I went to Houghton College and graduated in 2005 with a BMus in Composition and concentrations in piano and orchestral conducting. I married my wonderful husband, Charles, (who I met at Houghton) in December of 2005 and we spent a year in Australia, where he was pastoring a church. We felt called to further studies and moved to Wilmore in August, 2007, and have found the Asbury community to be very caring and loving - it has been a wonderful place of healing for us after a difficult year in ministry.
When I am not working, I spend a lot of time playing the piano and writing music, which is very relaxing for me. I also am a member of the seminary choir, the Singing Seminarians. I love being with family and friends and I enjoy reading, hiking, cooking, traveling, playing racquetball and baseball, and pretty much anything that enables me to be outside!
Being married to a student, I see the frustration and stress that you go through being a seminary student, especially when it comes to finances. I am looking forward to working with you and will do everything I can to make the financial aid process a smooth one for you!
Kristi Wharton - Financial Aid Consultant
Hi, Welcome to ATS! I'm Kristi Wharton. If your last name begins with the letter L-Z, I will be working with you as your Financial Aid Consultant.
I moved to Wilmore in August of 2006. My husband, Brian, is working on his MDiv. I am originally from South Louisiana but I moved here from Texas, where I had lived for the past 19 years. I attended college at LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas, where I received a B.A. in Public Administration.
Asbury and Wilmore have been a great fit for our family. My eleven year old daughter, Abigail, loves it here. My life outside of work is all about keeping up with her!
I am excited to be a part of the Asbury community and I look forward to meeting you.
Jon Bailes - Administrative Assistant
Hi! My name is Jon Bailes. I am the administrative assistant here in the financial aid department.
I graduated from Georgetown College in 2005 with a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and a minor in music. I will start school in the fall working towards my Master of Arts in Christian Education. I have a lovely wife named Erin and a dog named Hayes. In my spare time I enjoy sports and playing music.
I am privileged to be apart of a great Financial Aid team. If you have any questions or concerns please call or stop by our office.
Katherine Raborn - Financial Aid Receptionist
My name is Katherine. I have been living in Wilmore since the summer of 2006. My job is to assist students in the department of Registrar and Financial Aid.
I was raised in Hawaii and Florida for most of my life and moved here from Orlando with my husband, Rob, to join Asbury’s Counseling Program. My personal interests are soccer, drinking coffee with friends, and playing in the backyard.
Please stop by my office anytime for your financial aid or registrar related needs. I am more than happy to be of assistance.
Erik Bendoyro - Non-Immigration Services Coordinator
Hello! I'm Erik Bendoyro, the Coordinator of Non-Immigration Services working with current and incoming international students at Asbury.
Being from Florida, I graduated from the University of Central Florida in Orlando in 2005 with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and a minor in Cinema Studies. Currently I am working on an MA at Asbury while doing my best to enjoy being apart of the Asbury Seminary team. When not working or going to school, I love reading a great book, watching an amazing film, or spending time with some fun friends.
I am excited to work with the many cultures represented here at Asbury and to help make the process of transition as smooth as possible for those joining us!