Springfield, Ohio – Wittenberg is pleased to announce that Kristen Collier, Wittenberg class of 1992 and interim director of the Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Civic Engagement since September of 2025, has accepted the University’s offer to serve as the center’s permanent director, effective immediately.

“Kristen has been a dedicated member of the Wittenberg community since 2002, playing a key role in advancing the University’s civic engagement mission,” said Brian Yontz, provost and professor of education at Wittenberg. “In recent years, she has focused on deepening community partnerships and leading the Civic Engagement Internship program.”

Prior to serving as interim director of the Hagen Center, Collier served as its associate director from 2022-2025 and the director of community service from 2002-2022.

“Kristen has mentored countless Wittenberg students in both examining their role and responsibility in community but also helping them explore how to apply their gifts and talents toward good work in the Springfield community and beyond,” Yontz added. “After talking with various alumni and Springfield partners, a common themed emerged — Kristen has a steady and holistic understanding of college students’ development of a civic identity and a clear understanding of the opportunities to help the Springfield community thrive. She sees herself not only as someone who listens, but as someone who helps to shape personal and civic narratives.”

With her deep roots and connections in Springfield, Collier will further advance Wittenberg’s partnership with various government and non-profit organizations. Her understanding of the experiential learning components of the Connections Curriculum will help current and future Wittenberg students move theory into practice with the ultimate benefit of seeing themselves as active and engaged citizens.

Collier earned her B.A. from Wittenberg in English and her M.Ed. in college student personnel administration from James Madison University. Prior to joining the staff at Wittenberg, Collier managed the service-learning program and served as a residence hall director at Otterbein University. She also spent four years as a senior academic advisor for undeclared and underprepared students at Northern Kentucky University. As a longtime resident of Springfield, Collier has served as a member of the advisory council for Ohio Campus Compact and on the board of Sheltered Inc. She currently serves on the Clark County Reentry Housing Coalition and as chair of the Springfield Promise Neighborhood board.

She provides an annual presentation on servant citizenship for Leadership Clark County, chairs the Youth Empowerment Taskforce, and is a member of the Partners in Prevention Coalition. She finds joy in making connections between the campus and community, and in reading and listening to stories of social and personal change.

Collier is married to Matt Collier, Wittenberg class of 1994 and professor and chair of biology at the University. The couple has two children, Michael and Kara.