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!
Laura Araujo - Financial Aid Consultant
Hi, I’m Laura Araujo. If your last name begins with letters L-Z, I will be working with you as your Financial Aid Consultant.
Here’s a little of my background: After graduating from Alma College in Michigan, my home state, I came to Asbury to pursue a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies in the fall of 2004. I started working in the Financial Aid Office as a work-study student in February of 2005. During my time at Asbury I also met my husband, Josue, who is in the MDiv program, and we were married in December of 2005. In May of 2007, I began working full-time as a Financial Aid Consultant.
When I’m not working or doing homework, I enjoy spending time with Josue, cooking, traveling, camping, hiking, running, and almost anything else outdoors.
Being a student myself, I know what it’s like to work through the financial aid process and I look forward to helping you with your financial aid needs!
Kristi Wharton - Administrative Assistant
Hi, Welcome to ATS! I'm Kristi Wharton, the Administrative Assistant for the Office of Financial Aid. 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.