Staff Profile: Gene Brooks, Vice President for Student Affairs

Gene Brooks CO ’91 GR ‘03 serves as Concordia Nebraska’s vice president of student affairs.  He oversees the university’s student life office, which includes housing, student activities, student conduct and student organizations.  He also manages the university counseling center, health center, first year advising, retention, career services and Title IX. He has worked at the university for 20 years. 

A Concordia Nebraska alumnus, Brooks has a bachelor’s degree in secondary education with majors in theology and physical education/coaching. He also has a master’s degree in family life ministry from the university. He said that the university is a special place to serve, and that his time on campus has benefitted him in many ways. 

“I have the privilege of doing ministry among students, serving alongside amazing colleagues,” he said. “At Concordia we have the incredible freedom and opportunity to share the love of Christ with students but also be encouraged and strengthened in our own faith. I have the opportunity, and am actually encouraged to, attend chapel daily.  I have opportunities to pray and spend time in the Word with my colleagues.  We have regular conversations about God and what He is doing on our campus and in our lives.” 

Brooks was inducted into the University of Sioux Falls athletic hall of fame last fall for coaching accomplishments there from 2006-2012. He was also inducted into the Concordia University, Nebraska Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996 and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame in 2004. 

Brooks and his wife Janice ’89 have been married for 35 years. The couple has five children and eight grandchildren.  

“We love the chances we get to spend time with them.  I personally enjoy riding horses, hunting, fishing, gardening and building things,” he said.  “God has truly blessed me through my experiences at Concordia both as a student and an employee.  The whole trajectory of my life was determined through my experiences as a student which helped to shape me, grow my faith and intellect and lead me to meet my future wife.  Having the opportunity to return to my alma mater to serve in a way that helps students have a life altering experience as I did is a great privilege.” 

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