Student Life Leadership Team
Matthew Fitting
Vice President for Student Life
(509) 527-2049 | matthew.fitting@wallawalla.edu
Education: B.S. Exercise Science, Emphasis in Education, Pacific Union College
Experience: Dean for Undergraduate Life and Associate Dean for Student Life, Andrews University, 2022–2026; Chief Administration Officer, Solid State Operations, 2021–2022; Vice Principal and Head Dean, Gem State Adventist Academy, 2011–2021; Assistant Dean, Monterey Bay Academy, 2008–2010
Bio: As Vice President for Student Life, Matthew oversees Student Life programs and services and is passionate about creating a Christ-centered community where students can grow, connect, and thrive. With extensive experience in Adventist education and student life, he is ministry-minded and values meaningful relationships, mentorship, and opportunities to help students discover their purpose and potential.
Before coming to Walla Walla University, Matthew served as Dean for Undergraduate Life and Associate Dean for Student Life at Andrews University. He has also served in educational and student life leadership roles at Gem State Adventist Academy and Monterey Bay Academy.
Matthew enjoys athletics and team sports, board games, reading, graphic design, and activities that bring people together. He and his wife, Patricia, have twin daughters and enjoy spending time together as a family.
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.
Emily Ellis
Campus Chaplain
(509) 527-2343 | emily.ellis@wallawalla.edu
Education: Masters of Divinity, Andrews University, 2026; BA in Theology, Walla Walla University, 2020
Experience: Youth Pastor, Oregon Conference of SDA, 2020-2023
Bio: As campus chaplain, Emily oversees the campus ministries office and works with the students to provide spiritual programming on campus. She seeks to serve the spiritual needs of the Walla Walla University campus and works in collaboration with the administration, Student Life, School of Theology, and WWU Church.
Emily was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. Growing up, she worked in various capacities across the NW at summer camps, churches, and academies. Before coming to Walla Walla to serve as its chaplain, she worked full time as a youth pastor in the Oregon Conference and completed her MDiv at Andrews University.
You can find Emily baking, finding the best food in the valley, running, playing pickleball, reading a good book, or dreaming of Culver's.
Find more information on campus ministries, student missions, and more on the Chaplain's Office webpage.
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.
David Ringer
Director of Residential Life and Off-Campus Housing
509-527-2539 | david.ringer@wallawalla.edu
Education: M.A. Higher Education Student Affairs. Grand Canyon University, 2023; B.A. Psychology, Southern Adventist University, 1991
Experience: Associate Dean, Pacific Union College, 2018-2025; Administrative Dean, Burman University, 2013-2018; Dean of Men, Blue Mountain Academy, 1993-2012; Teacher/Teacher's Coordinator, SDA Language Institute, Seoul, Korea, 1991-1993
Bio: David brings 35 years of experience in education and residence life, spanning both high school and university settings. As Director of Residential Life and Off-Campus Housing, he oversees the university's residential communities and off-campus housing services, guided by a deep commitment to Christian values.
Central to his leadership philosophy is respect: for God, for others, and for self. He believes this foundation shapes healthy residence hall communities where students can grow academically, spiritually, socially and personally. Equally important to his approach is the belief that meaningful relationships are at the heart of student development, and he works to foster genuine connection between staff and students throughout campus housing.
With over three decades dedicated to residential life, David brings wisdom, consistency, and a heart for students to his work each day.
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.