By Lauren Beeman 

Quincy University hired a new Director of Residence Life and Campus Programming after the former director, Crystal Sutter, resigned early in the semester. 

Sutter vacated the position on Oct. 4, and Dean of Students Christine Tracy set out to ensure the position was filled by that date.

After an original screening process followed by an on-campus interview, QU administration selected Johann St. John for the position.

St. John brings with him a collection of experience in higher education, especially at smaller, private universities.

“I’m international. I was born and raised in Grenada, so I’m a Caribbean boy,” St. John said.

St. John attended undergraduate school in Miami, Florida, and completed his master’s degree at Nova Southeastern University.  He went on to work in Kentucky at Georgetown College and Berea College.

Along with higher educational experience, St. John also has experience as a head tennis coach, which is something he believes, will help him tremendously at Quincy University where the student-athlete population is 50 percent.

“I’ve moved around a lot. I’m big on traveling because I think to be where I want to be in the future it has to be about perspective,” St. John said. “The more places I can go and see how they do things and learn and pick up more things here and there it allows me to bring more to the table.”

Resident Director of the Student Living Center Darek Lambert was one of several students involved in St. John’s interviewing process. QU administration made sure students were heavily involved in the hiring process.

Lambert and five other student Resident Directors conducted their own interview of St. John and were instrumental in the final decision.

“I think he represents everything Quincy University has been lacking in Resident’s Life. The experience he has will make him an approachable supervisor for student staff,” Lambert said. 

The on-campus interview allowed St. John to interact and meet staff and administrators from different departments which St. John believes will encourage collaboration in the future.

St. John believes in an open-door policy for students, and says his job is to open minds.

“I want people to be able to dream beyond what they can see and what they can feel. It’s important students I can play a part in their journey, and that I want to be a part of their journey,” St. John said.