Nigerian sister leads campus ministry at Briar Cliff

By RENEE WEBB
Content and Design Coordinator

Having a passion for working with students, the new coordinator of campus ministry at Briar Cliff University believes God brought her to Sioux City.

Sister Stella Nneji, a Sister of Mercy and native of Nigeria, started at the university at the beginning of the new academic year in August.

“The young people are so dear to my heart,” she said. “When I saw the job posting, it aligned well with my specialization. I am a pastoral theologian and I specialize in pastoral ministry and religious dialogue. It just connected.”

At the time Sister Stella had applied for the Briar Cliff campus ministry coordinator, she was researching and writing in Illinois. Prior to that her most recent position was working for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, New Mexico, serving as the coordinator of hospital ministry and a chaplain. However, most of her years of service have been in schools. She has served in Nigeria, European countries including Italy as well as in the United States. 

“Schools have been my passion,” said Sister Stella. “The education of the young people is my passion. I want to see them grow even if it is from kindergarten because when you help them and direct them so they know what they want in life they can make the right decisions. These are the things that give me joy.”

While Briar Cliff was founded by the Franciscan Sisters of Dubuque, Sister Stella noted their charisms and values align well with her own religious congregation. St. Francis of Assisi is one of her order’s patron saints and they also are devoted to the care of the poor. A visit to Sioux City and the campus during the interview process affirmed her connection with the Franciscan environment at the university.

“When I came here, my spirit connected. I felt so at home. I loved the environment and loved the school – it was like a family,” said the new campus ministry coordinator, who acknowledged that accepting the position was still a bit hard to make because she had other job offers. But ultimately, the connection she felt with Briar Cliff was real and she loved the smaller, quieter size of Sioux City. “For me, I would say this is the work of the Holy Spirit and work of God because I had never heard about Sioux City or Briar Cliff before.”

Since starting in her role at Briar Cliff, she has observed that campus ministry is at heart of the university.

Sister Stella joins Briar Cliff students for a community meal where they enjoy fellowship.

“Campus ministry takes care of the spiritual life of the students guiding them in their overall personal growth and seeing to their moral life – taking care of the whole person,” said Sister Stella. “My office is always busy.”Some aspects of her work are with structured activities such as holding Bible studies, weekly rosary in the chapel, retreats, community meals for fellowship and faith conversations as well as scheduling volunteers for ministries at Mass or even helping to set up volunteer opportunities in the community.

Activities such as the Bible studies are open to students of all faiths “in order to build a caring Briar Cliff community – to make sure everyone is welcomed here and feel like they belong. This is a family; we are not going to leave anyone behind.”

Other parts of her duties are nonstructured and not group based such as offering pastoral counseling and guidance to students who need a listening ear.

“I also teach a class called Briar Cliff Experience. I teach freshmen students to help them discover what it means to be here and what is their purpose in life,” said the campus minister, who noted she is one of a few instructors to teach that course. “That class speaks of the Franciscan values we have here, building a caring community, peacemaking and joyful service.”

Whether it be through that class or through activities of campus ministry, she is hopeful students learn that what is important is not so much what career they choose but that they do so with the greater glory of God in mind.

“In this university, we try to build a caring, compassionate community. If the students are able to have those values, it will not end here. They are the ones going outside tomorrow and as they go, they are carrying the values of how to treat one another, how to love and by so doing they are building a caring and compassionate world,” said Sister Stella.
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