Meet our Staff​
​

father Jeff belger
priest director

Fr. Jeff Belger has served as the Priest Director of the Newman Center since 2017. Prior to this role, he served as the Parochial Vicar at Prince of Peace Parish in Clinton (2003-2005), Priest Campus Minister at the Newman Center and Parochial Vicar at St. Mary of the Visitation Parish in Iowa City (2005-2010, 2015-2017), and as the Pastor of St. Mary Parishes in Pella and Oskaloosa (2010-2015). Fr. Jeff began his discernment to the priesthood while a student at Notre Dame High School in Burlington. After working professionally as a Program Director for the YMCA in St. Louis, MO, Fort Wayne, IN, Atlanta, GA, and Nashville, TN, he returned back to Notre Dame High School as a teacher and Youth Minister. He attended St. Meinrad School of Theology, where he earned both an MA and an MDiv in Theology.

anna kelly

director of music and liturgy

​Anna Kelly joined the staff at Newman in 2023 as the Director of Liturgical Music and in July 2026, we welcome her full time in the role of Director of Music and Liturgy . Prior to taking on the leadership role,, she served as the Liturgical Music Fellow at Newman for two and a half years and participated in the music ministry at Newman in several ways, including being a member of the Newman Singers. A native of Marion, Iowa, Anna earned a Master of Arts degree in Brass Performance and Pedagogy (Trumpet) at the University of Iowa, graduating in May 2026. Anna feels so blessed by her time as a student at Newman and loves that she gets to come work professionally in support of the mission of the Center.

christine wissink
director of outreach and Faith Formation

Christine Wissink began working at the Newman Center in the summer of 2016. A native of Hiawatha, IA, Christine has 20+ years of experience in youth, young adult, and campus ministry and earned a Master's degree in Ministry from Loras College. In April of 2021 she obtained her Advanced Campus Ministry Certification through the Catholic Campus Ministry Association (CCMA). In June of 2023, the CCMA recognized her for her approach to ministry and her contributions to her profession with the Fr. Robert Beloin Award: For Creativity, Collaboration, and Innovation at CALLED23, the CCMA National Conference. Christine is married to Tony, a native of Iowa City, and they have one son.

ann thomas
outreach and ​Administrative Associate

Ann Thomas joined the Newman Center as our Outreach Assistant in 2021, supporting the ministries of Service and Social Justice, Graduate Student and Young Professionals Group, and the Catholic Relief Services University of Iowa Chapter. In 2024 she also assumed administrative duties. In addition to her work at the Newman Center, she serves as managing editor of the Catholic literary journal Dappled Things, and holds an MA in Russian Language and Literature from The University of Iowa.  Ann and her husband, Caine, are originally from Waterloo, Iowa. They have five children and have called Iowa City home since 1997.

grace ahlers
faith formation associate

Grace Ahlers began working at the Newman Center in July 2025 filling the newly created role of Faith Formation Associate. Originally from Marion, IA, Grace graduated from the University of Iowa in 2022. Grace will be helping with OCIA, faith formation, and discernment opportunities here at the Newman Center. In her spare time she enjoys reading, music, and the outdoors.

hannah michaelsen
director of donor engagement

 Hannah Michaelsen began her role as our Director of Donor Engagement July 1, 2026. Hannah is originally from Muscatine, Iowa and graduated from the University of Iowa in May 2025 with a degree in Finance. Throughout her academic and professional career, she has been actively involved in nonprofit work and most recently served as the Williams Fellow at the University of Iowa Center for Advancement. Hannah converted to Catholicism this past Easter through the St. Mary/Newman Center OCIA program and is excited to continue growing in her faith. She looks forward to bringing her passion for service and philanthropy to her new role.
 

MADELYN HELLWIG
Development Associate

Madelyn Hellwig joined our team in July 2025. She is an Iowa City native and a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church where she attends with her family. Madelyn is a proud Hawkeye (Class of '25)  with dual B.A. degrees in Journalism & Mass Communication and Sports Studies. While at the University of Iowa, she was a player for the Iowa Women’s Club Hockey Team and when she wasn’t skating or studying, she was capturing life through her camera lens.  

MARY RAE MEYER
Development ASsistant

Mary Rae Meyer has been a part of the Development staff for over 7 years. She enjoys working with all the staff and students to further the mission of the Newman Center and to grow in her own faith. Mary Rae graduated from The University of Iowa with a degree in mathematics and worked in technology consulting and project management prior to staying home to raise her two children and do volunteer work. When her youngest child went to college, Mary Rae found a new career with the Newman Center. After living in Iowa City for 25 years, she and her husband, Ron, moved to the Cedar Rapids area.

kristie wert
director of operations

Kristie Wert joined the Newman Center staff as our Director of Development in March of 2022.  In spring of 2024, she accepted the position of Director of Operations. Kristie brings with her many years of experience in business and non-profit management, communications, marketing, as well as financial, project and facility management. She attended Marietta College and Bowling Green State University where she studied business management and marketing/communications.  Kristie is a mom of three plus a son-in- law and an eleven year old granddaughter. Her daughter's family lives close by in Dubuque, while her sons live in Ohio.  Kristie is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the National Association of Church Personnel Administrators, and the Conference for Catholic Facility Managers. She also serves on the Diocese of Davenport's Stewardship Commission and the Johnson County Emergency Food and Shelter Program Board. 

mike leuck
greeter

Mike Leuck is the friendly face at the front desk providing hospitality and greeting all those who enter the Newman Center. Originally from Moline, IL, Mike has lived in the great state of Iowa for more than 40 years. He has held many jobs over the years and his favorites have been in sales. Mike loves to talk and can chat with the best of them. Stop by and see him!

joe welter
deacon

Deacon Joe Welter is a deacon of the Diocese of Davenport, and is assigned to the Newman Catholic Student Center, St. Mary of the Visitation Parish, and the Diocesan Office of Social Action. A native of Long Grove, IA, Joe is an alumnus of The University of Iowa and has been involved at the Newman Center for more than two decades. He is a civil and environmental engineer. He is married to Katie, a math and religion teacher in the Regina Junior and Senior High School. They have three children.

More Priests Who Serve at Newman

Fr. Ken Kuntz
Fr. Ken was born on Easter Sunday in 1951 and wanted to be a priest from the time he was in first grade! Ordained on May 28, 1977, he has served in DeWitt, Bettendorf, Blue Grass, Buffalo, Iowa City (St. Mary's for 16 years) and Clinton (Prince of Peace) for 12 years. Father Jeff and Father Ken served together at St. Mary's prior to Fr. Ken being assigned to Clinton. ​Fr Ken is now retired and loves celebrating Mass at the Newman Center.
Fr. Tim Regan
Rev. Timothy J. Regan was ordained at age 41 as priest for the Diocese of Davenport by Bishop Gerald O’Keefe on May 30, 1991.  Prior to his ordination Timothy had a successful career as an Occupational Therapist.  Following ordination he has had several parish assignments within the Diocese of Davenport and has also served as a full-time hospital chaplain in both Davenport (Genesis Hospital for 7 years) and Iowa City (University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for 10 years).  Timothy has recently retired and now remains in residence here at the Newman Center to provide ministerial support as needed.
Fr. Ed Fitzpatrick was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Davenport in 1970. Fr. Ed retired in July of 2015 after serving as the Priest Director of the Newman Center since 1984. He enjoys presiding at the Newman Center Masses as needed.
Fr. Ed Fitzpatrick