Student Life Leadership Team

Darren Wilkins

Vice President for Student Life
(509) 527-2511 | darren.wilkins@wallawalla.edu

Education: M.A. La Sierra University, Curriculum and Instruction, Emphasis in Ancient Languages, 2004; B.S. Walla Walla University, 1994; State High School Principal Endorsement, Montana State University, 2008

Previous Experience: Principal, Spring Valley Academy, 2013–June 2023; Principal, Mt. Ellis Academy, 2002-2013; Teacher, Loma Linda Academy High School, 2001-2002; Teacher/Vice-Principal, Loma Linda Academy Hr. High School, 1994-2001

Brooklynn Armesto-Larson

Assistant Vice President for Student Life
Dean of Students
(509) 527-2542 | brooklynn.armesto-larson@wallawalla.edu

Education: J.D. University of Oregon School of Law, 2020; B.A. Walla Walla University, 2016

Bio: As Dean of Students, Brooklynn oversees the Associated Students of Walla Walla University, student conduct matters, and other student-life programs on campus.

Brooklynn grew up in Walla Walla and considers the Walla Walla valley to be her home. She graduated from Walla Walla University in 2016 with a BA in History and a minor in Social Welfare. She then attended the University of Oregon School of Law, where she graduated in 2020 with a Juris Doctorate Degree.

Brooklynn's professional areas of interest include restorative justice, leadership development, and the criminal legal system. Brooklynn's personal interests include reading, cross stitching, podcasts, and watching sports. She and her husband Manuel have one daughter.

Courtney Bryant

Campus Security
(509) 527-2222 | courtney.bryant@wallawalla.edu

Bio: WWU has entrusted oversight of managing campus safety to Allied Universal (AU). AU is the largest private security provider in the United States, and is a leader in higher education safety and security services. As an Allied Universal Account Manager, Courtney oversees security, emergency preparedness, and safety on the College Place campus. Courtney, who came to Walla Walla in 2014 previously served at the Riverside County Probation Department working with troubled youth.

Find more information on safety services, security policies, vehicle registration, emergency preparedness, and more on the Campus Security website.

Albert Handal

Campus Chaplain
(509) 527-2010 | albert.handal@wallawalla.edu

Education: D.Min. Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary; M.Div. Andrews University; B.A. Southern Adventist University

Bio: As lead campus chaplain, Albert oversees student missions, Weeks of Worship, vespers, and a host of other Campus Ministries programs. Before moving to Walla Walla in 2017, Albert worked as a pastor in Texas and Georgia. He's married to Allison Gerard, and they have three little children; Edward, Rosa, and Dalia. A committed outdoor enthusiast, Albert enjoys endurance cycling and long distance running.

Find more information on campus ministries, student missions, and more on the Chaplain's Office webpage.

Jon Nickell

Director of Residential Life and Housing
(509) 527-2539 | jon.nickell@wallawalla.edu 

Bio: As director of Residential Life and Housing, Jon oversees four residential halls (Conard, Foreman, Meske, and Sittner), and Village Housing. Jon, who graduated from WWU in 2011 with a bachelor's degree in psychology, has worked six summers at a youth camp in Idaho and is currently finishing his graduate degree in counseling psychology at WWU. As an undergraduate student, Jon worked in the residential halls as a resident assistant for three years and served as the men's club (OPS) president.

Find more information about residence halls, village housing, and more on the pages for Residential Life & Housing.

Nestor Osorio

Athletics Director
(509) 956-5913 | nestor.osorio@wallawalla.edu

Bio: As Athletics director, Nestor oversees WWU's varsity sports program.

Find more information on athletics programs, game schedules, and more at uwolves.com.

Nestor was born in Argentina, where he lived a for several years before moving to other countries in South America with his family since his father was an evangelist. He has two sisters.

Nestor and his family moved to the US in 2001 and lived in Orlando until 2019. During that time he finished his Masters of Science in Education at Southern Adventist University and also began his PhD in Leadership at Andrews Adventist University. He is planning on graduating next May. He and his wife Claudia have a daughter, Brenda, who is a CVICU nurse at Advent Health in Orlando, Florida.

Annette Riebe

Dean of Residence and Student Life (Portland Campus)
(503) 251-6118 ext. 17353 | annette.riebe@wallawalla.edu 

Bio: As dean of Residence and Student Life, Annette oversees students' residential experience at WWU's Portland campus for the School of Nursing. Annette, a graduate of WWU, previously worked as associate dean of women at Pacific Union College.

For more information on the Portland School of Nursing and housing in Hansen Hall online.

Sharryl Toews

Executive Assistant
(509) 527-2511 | sharryl.toews@wallawalla.edu

Bio: As executive assistant to the vice president of Student Life, Sharryl manages the office and provides faculty, staff, and student support. Sharryl started working at WWU in 2017 and joined the office of Student Life in 2021.

Matthew Vaughan

Director of Counseling and Testing Center
(509) 527-2147 | matthew.vaughan@wallawalla.edu

Education: M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling, University of Phoenix, 2020; B.S. Psychology, Washington State University, 2015

Bio: Prior to coming to WWU Matthew worked in community health and substance abuse programs. Through this work, he developed a passion for supporting and advocating for young adults from marginalized groups. He seeks to provide a safe and healing space for individuals who are struggling to belong and find purpose in their lives.

Matthew is strongly influenced by the works of Michael White and he takes a post-modern approach to counseling. He is committed to enter every therapeutic relationship with openness, care, and curiosity.