Student Leadership Staff

Name: Jo Beth Petty

Title: Director of Student Leadership

Hometown: Union City, TN

Degree: BS in Health and Human Performance (University of Tennessee at Martin); Master of Science in Higher Education Administration (Mississippi College)

Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, watching SEC sports, flag football, softball, competing, the beach, spending time with family and friends.

What do you do at Belhaven? I lead and challenge students to get involved and serve through student organizations, activities, intramurals, recreation, student government and various other leadership opportunities.

How does what you do help students grow and develop? Through the area of Student Leadership, students have the opportunity to serve and lead in a variety of roles. Serving others is Christ’s model for us and by emulating His leadership students will grow and develop outside the classroom!

Name: Alex Ainsworth

Title: Coordinator of Student Leadership and Intramurals

Hometown: Florence, MS

Degree: Sports Administration (Belhaven University)

Hobbies/Interests: Basketball, hunting, fishing

Hobbies: Hunting, Fishing, Playing basketball, Spending time with family

What do you do at Belhaven? My job is to get students, faculty, and staff involved in extracurricular activities to meet their recreational needs.

How does what you do help students grow and develop? I provide students with a platform to display leadership and exercise valuable social skills they will need throughout and beyond their years at Belhaven through the avenue of sports and recreation.

Name: Jennifer Griffin

Title: Administrative Assistant to the Director of Student Leadership

Hometown: Jackson, MS

Degree: BS in Business Administration (Jackson State University)

Hobbies: Traveling, exercising, eating healthy, shopping, and gardening

What do you do at Belhaven? The Administrative Assistant to the Director of Student Leadership is responsible for all daily aspects of the office administration, support and planning. This position provided leadership in several areas such as BLC coordination, Chapel program, orientation programming and other student programming.

How does what you do help students grow and develop? As a team-member of Belhaven University, I help students to (1) Understand the school’s purpose and program (2) To encourage regular attendance and involvement in a local, Bible-believing church (3) Develop both good and proper attitudes toward peers and the family (4) Grow spiritually and help them develop Christ-centered homes.

Name: Leah Thomson

Hometown: Atlanta, GA

Degree: BS in Psychology (Berry College); Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (Reformed Theological Seminary, May 2013)

Hobbies: Volleyball, Reading, Running, Biking, Pranking people, Winning

What do you do at Belhaven? I work with the Belhaven Activities Team (BAT) to plan activities for Belhaven students during the fall and spring semesters. I also work with student organizations to help them set up meetings and other organization events.

How does what you do help students grow and develop? The student activities programming allows students to get involved not only by attending events, but also by being a part of the planning and organizing too! Belhaven Activities Team (BAT) members develop leadership skills and get the opportunity to work closely with a diverse group of students. All students have the opportunity to interact with each other at events too.