Meet the Staff
Joe Ball
Executive Director
Phone: 731-661-5094
UU Box: 1812
Email: jball@uu.edu
Education: B.A., Union University; M.Div., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Joe began serving at Union in 2017 and has previously served the Union community as the Director for Student Leadership and Engagement and the Director for Discipleship. He holds a Master of Divinity from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (2015) and a Bachelor of Arts from Union University (2010). He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Applied Theology from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. As the Executive Director, Joe is passionate about seeing students grow in their faith and God-given leadership abilities. Joe enjoys cheering on the many athletic teams at Union, discovering all the local restaurants in West TN, and meeting with students to learn their stories. He attends West Jackson Baptist Church, where he enjoys serving in various ministries throughout the church!
Julie Bradfield
Director
Phone: 731-661-5242
UU Box: 1812
Email: jbradfield@uu.edu
Education: B.S.B.A., Union University
Julie came to Union in the spring of 2005 to serve as the Director of Student Outreach. Prior to coming to Union, she served as a Journeyman with the International Mission Board working with German university students in the former East Germany. She currently provides leadership to Union's mobilization efforts and disciple-making strategy for students. Her primary areas of leadership include partnerships, training, and logistics for GO Trips and discipleship training for faculty, staff, and students. Julie attends First Baptist Church in Jackson where she helps lead the women's ministry. She enjoys exploring new places and cultures and spends most of her free time supporting her niece and nephews in their various activities.
Program areas: GO Trips, Global Leadership Team (GLT), Mob Squad, Global Focus, Third Culture Kids (TCKs), Disciple-Making Weekend
Trenton Holloway
Assistant Director for Student Government and Greek Life
Phone: 731-661-5244
UU Box: 1812
Email: tholloway@uu.edu
Education: B.A. in Psychology, Union University; M.S.Ed., Baylor University
Trenton Holloway serves as the Assistant Director for Student Government and Greek Life within the Office of Student Discipleship and Engagement. Trenton graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from Union University in 2018. After his time at Union, he earned an M.S.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Baylor University and is continuing his education by pursuing an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership in Higher Education at Union. Trenton's passion for facilitating transformative experiences for college students to grow and flourish, and his commitment to Christ-centered higher education led him to this role.
As part of the Discipleship and Engagement team, Trenton helps students to build community and develop leadership skills through involvement in the Student Government Association (SGA), Student Activities Council (SAC), and Greek Life.
Trenton and his wife Becca are members of Fellowship Bible Church and have served in Fellowship's Kids and Belong ministries. They also enjoy serving with YoungLife Capernaum, and recently led a GO Trip to Italy.
When Trenton isn't working or studying, you can find him traveling with Becca, enjoying a latte in Barefoots, or listening to a vinyl record at home.
Hayden Phillips
Assistant Director for Campus Ministry and Men's Discipleship
Phone: 731-661-5304
UU Box: 1812
Email: hphillips@uu.edu
Education: B.S., Union University
Hayden Phillips serves as the Assistant Director for Campus Ministry and Men's Discipleship in the Office of Student Discipleship and Engagement. Hayden graduated from Union with a B.S. in Chemistry with a Biology minor. Hayden has a heart for college ministry due to the life changing experience he had while at Union. His role involves leading men's discipleship efforts on campus and overseeing campus ministry programs such as Life Groups, Journey Groups, and Men's Bridges. Hayden and his wife, Gracie, are members of Englewood Baptist Church where they both serve in student ministry. Hayden is an avid sports fan and loves taking trips to Nashville for Nashville SC games. He's also a massive Star Wars nerd and loves to display a cool Lego set in his office.
Kelsey H. Stookey
Assistant Director for Student Experience and Activities
Phone: 731-661-6565
UU Box: 1812
Email: kstookey@uu.edu
Education: B.S. in Sociology, Union University; M.Div. in Theology, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Kelsey serves as the Assistant Director for Student Experience and Activities in the Office of Student Discipleship and Engagement. Kelsey graduated with a B.S. in Sociology from Union University in 2019. After her time at Union, she earned a M.Div. in Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Kelsey has a heart for discipleship and loves working with college students. Her time at Union propelled her to pursue ministry specifically to college age students. The combination of cultivating a discipleship culture and coordinating excellent student-led programs led her to this role.
In her role, Kelsey helps students build community and develop leadership skills through involvement in the Student Activities Council (SAC), Panhellenic community, and Welcome Week.
Kelsey and her husband Caleb have a son. The three of them spend lots of time outside with their dog Pongo, cheering on the UT Volunteers, and spending time with friends and family. They are pumped to be back on Union's campus as it holds many incredible memories for them.
Fran Thomas
Assistant Director for Campus Ministry and Women's Discipleship
Phone: 731-661-5062
UU Box: 1812
Email: fthomas@uu.edu
Education: B.S., Arkansas State University
Fran began working at Union in 2012 and is thankful to serve in this current role serving students and especially the young women on campus. Fran graduated from Arkansas State University, has been married to her husband Chip for 30 years and has 3 adult children. Fran loves the Atlanta Braves, all sports at Union, all sports in general, coffee and conversation with others, traveling, a breathtaking sunset preferably over the ocean, and serving different ministries within her church, Fellowship Bible Church.