Stephen Blaha, Arts ’96, has been named the new director of Campus Ministry, Vice President for Mission and Ministry Rev. John Thiede, S.J., announced today. Blaha has worked in Campus Ministry since 2007 and was most recently assistant director of Campus Ministry.
Last year, a nationwide search was conducted that included a public listening session to better inform the hiring committee of what the campus community valued in a Campus Ministry director including leadership style and qualities and skills in fostering community and spiritual growth.
As the director of Campus Ministry, Blaha will leverage his nearly two decades of experience in the office to continue providing Marquette students with meaningful faith-based opportunities both on campus and in the community.
Blaha has been the interim director of Campus Ministry since fall 2023 and has been instrumental in maintaining a high level of faith-based programming for all students on campus.
“Steve has been an invaluable member of Campus Ministry throughout his entire career at Marquette,” Thiede says. “An alumnus himself, he has deep institutional knowledge of what effective campus ministry looks like and knows exactly how to reach students who are seeking a more meaningful connection to God.
“His genuine care for students and their well-being paired with his dedication to Marquette and its mission for the last 20 years made me confident that he is the right person for this job.”
During his tenure at Marquette, Blaha has often been by students’ sides, including directing the Ignite program, coordinating Camino groups and guiding students through sacraments.
“Jesuit education is such an incredibly transformative game changer,” Blaha says. “This rich, living, and vibrant tradition invites us to open our hearts and minds to the depths of God’s love for us and to share this love with others. I am so grateful for this opportunity to continue working with the Campus Ministry team and partners around the university in serving Marquette’s Catholic and multifaith student community as we walk together in building a hope-filled future.”
Blaha will begin his new role immediately.
