By Karissa Ryan

Cornerstone University’s new dean of student engagement enjoys sitting on the sidelines, but only when it comes to watching Cornerstone soccer teams.

Chip Huber, one of Spiritual Formation’s newest members, confessed that he is an avid fan of soccer. Most of his time, however, is spent performing his duties as Cornerstone’s dean of student engagement, a position whose title is slightly misleading.

Dean of student engagement “doesn’t mean what it sounds like,” Huber said. The position does not include premarital counseling or coordinating candlelights. Instead, he is in charge of engaging students to spiritually connect into the Cornerstone community, and to help create a community that will encourage students to spiritually engage.

Specific responsibilities include the overseeing of all student activities and the student government, giving leadership to the Terra Firma first year experience and helping to develop the second year experience in years to come.

Huber said it was difficult to leave Wheaton Academy, where he was previously employed. His family was “very rooted in that community, but God really made a door open here.”

When Cornerstone asked him to consider the position, Huber noted that his gifts and passions met at a point that fit really well with the opportunity Cornerstone asked him to consider.

The type of position wasn’t the only draw for Huber. He was excited about CU’s vision and direction, as well as the opportunity to work with college students. This opportunity convinced him to leave his 14-year position at the Academy.

Huber is passionate about what he does, and he wanted to help college students discover their passion and how God wants to use them to impact our world.

Huber’s job is very focused on people and relationships. His favorite part about the position, he said, was the chance to work with an amazing team of people in Spiritual Formation and to have the opportunity to meet hundreds of students just in the past few months. He is excited to see the hunger and passion CU students have for what God is doing, and their desire to be a part of it.

Joe Stowell, CU president and Huber’s pastor when he was in high school, expressed his delight that the Lord had brought Huber and his wife here to join the Spiritual formation team.

“He brings the goods that we are looking for in our spiritual leaders on campus … authenticity, vitality, a living commitment to Jesus and a love for God’s Word,” Stowell said. He appreciated the feedback he’s gotten, which showed that already Huber has made an impact on campus.

When asked what question he wished students would ask him, he said, “One that I have wrestled with and explored: ‘Why are you so passionate about issues of poverty and justice around the globe?’”

According to Huber, it’s because of his long-term partnership with students in a community in Zambia.

“We have an awesome chance to offer the gospel in all its fullness to the people in need,” Huber said.

One way Huber sought to share his passion for the poor and needy is by giving leadership to ACTs (the World Vision Activism Network), one of over 100 chapters on campuses around the country.

His passion is for the poor comes from knowing how strongly God’s heart beats for these people.

“As we care for the poor and the needy, we experience life and growth ourselves,” he said.

After many trips to Zambia, Huber has gotten to know the people and has fallen in love with them, an experience he calls “one of the most transformational for my own spiritual journey.”