Justin Mercer | Director 
I am a native of Fountain, North Carolina. At an early age I gave my heart to the Lord and worked in ministry with my family - Pastor James and Brenda Mercer, and younger sister Yolanda at Zion Grove Baptist Church in Aulander, NC. Upon graduating from high school, I departed for college to attend North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC.
As a student I joined the Upper Room Church of God in Christ; where the Pastor is Dr. Patrick L. Wooden, Sr. I accepted the call into the ministry during the summer of my freshman year. Under my Pastor’s leadership, I was driven to serve as the Campus Ministry President at the University. In 2009, I was appointed as an Elder and the President of Upper Room’s Children’s Church.
I have gained a variety of experiences in health care and sales industries, and Christian-centered education. All of these experiences have prepared me for my role at Liberty. I am happily married to my devoted wife, Lori. We have two young energetic sons - Justin Jr. and Kellan Matthew.
I am eager with expectation to serve at Liberty University. It is my belief that if you put God First he will take care of every aspect of your life. This is what Liberty has done to “Train Champions for Christ” in the past, the present, and I am willing to give my INFINITE percent to insure that it will continue in the future. GO FLAMES!
 jmercer16@liberty.edu
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Joshua Haley | Assistant Director 
I was born in Jacksonville, Florida but moved to Rochester, New York with my family when I was 6 years old because my parents were invited to help start a church. I spent the next 23 years in Rochester serving with my parents in the church and learning from their testimony. Along the way I received my Bachelor of Arts in English from Roberts Wesleyan College. I moved to Lynchburg in 2006 to earn my M.A in Religious Studies at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. Studying at LBTS helped to further shape my Christian world view. Lynchburg is an amazing place to be involved in ministry and to share relationships with other believers. One such believer is my wife whom I met in Lynchburg in 2008. We married the following year and are now parents to a beautiful daughter.
As a lifelong learner, I believe that Christian education is critical if Christianity is going to continue to persist in the world. I believe that Liberty University will give you the greatest opportunity to be the best professional you can be, while also impacting the professional field you have chosen for Christ. It is my prayer that I will be available to assist you as you seek to serve Christ through your education and beyond.
jahaley@liberty.edu |  (434) 592-3987
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Timi Plyter | Student Advocate
I am a native upstate New Yorker. I accepted the Lord at the age of 26 and have had a wonderful walk with my Lord ever since. My husband, Richard and I have been married nearly 40 years! We have 3 happily married sons, four granddaughters, and two grandsons who are my delight. My two younger sons serve in the military...one in the Navy, one in the Army. My oldest son serves in the Lord’s army here at home.
We moved to Lynchburg in 1996 because our youngest son, through one of God's miracles, was going to attend Liberty University. My husband and I both began working here in 1997. He is now retired but worked for years in Admissions and I worked as the receptionist in the Registrar Office for 7 years. I now have the honor of serving students as a Student Advocate since the office’s inception.
The Lord has given me a phenomenal love for all of the students here and I deem it an honor to serve His Kingdom members at this university. Liberty University is a wonderful place to have your faith undergirded and strengthened!
tplyter@liberty.edu |  (434) 592-3984
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Leigh Detzel | Student Advocate
When I was a freshman many years ago, I struggled heavily with eating disorders and deep depression. I took every step to make sure I hid my life of shame from friends and family. When I realized that I was at my absolute lowest, the Lord sweetly broke me. From then on, I began a serious journey that in which God completely rocked my life; for the better!
I can only say that I have experienced forgiveness, grace, and mercy like I thought I never thought possible. The God we serve is so powerful! I learn new things about Him everyday which never cease to astound me. I've learned that the Lord will do amazing, beautiful things in your life, although they may not always be in our timing. Wait patiently on the Lord and love Him with all your heart. His grace and forgiveness are amazing!
I have the best job in the world; I get to serve faculty, staff and students on a daily basis. Finding ways to make your experience at Liberty University positive, life-changing and challenging is an amazing aspect of this job. I want to help you succeed at Liberty!
ledetzel@liberty.edu | (434) 592-3151
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Christina Nolton | Student Advocate
I am from the beautiful tropical city of Naples, Florida. A small tourist town nestled between the Florida Everglades and the Gulf of Mexico on the West coast of Florida. I moved there when I was five years old, after my mother married the man that would change our lives for the better and also give me an older brother and younger sister turning our family into the “Nolton Six”. When I was seven years old, my step father adopted both my sister and I further bringing our family together. Before attending Liberty University I was afforded the opportunity to travel the world, and experienced cultures in Mexico, Italy, Greece, France, England, and Turkey. These experiences taught me there is no place like home.
Shortly after my travels I decided that God was calling me to attend Liberty University after visiting my older sister during a CFAW event. It was the biggest step of my life, moving far from my family. However, God gave me courage for this step and before I knew it I felt right at home in Lynchburg and at Liberty University. I completed 4 years of undergrad at Liberty earning a B.S. in Business Finance. Next God told me my work was not yet finished at Liberty. After experiencing Liberty University’s mission first-hand, I wanted to be on the other end of that experience and share it with future Liberty students by joining the University family to help reach out to students.
cnolton@liberty.edu | (434) 592-3979
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Michael Morrison | Student Advocate
I was born and raised in Virginia Beach, VA. During my early years, I would categorize myself as a “beach bum.” I spent all my free time at the beach. I did not attend church until I was going into high school. I was invited by my cousin and his family, liked it, then invited my parents to come the following week. Within a few short months, my mom, dad, and myself accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Being man and flawed, I still struggled with my faith until I came here to Liberty University. God revealed more of himself daily to me.
I studied Broadcast Communications while in my undergrad here at Liberty University and am currently working on my Masters in the Art of Teaching. I met my beautiful wife, Bri, here at the University. We have been married since early 2010. Just recently, we celebrated the birth of our first child, Audrey. I enjoy all sorts of sports and am a huge fan of all Washington team. In my spare time, I enjoy running, mountain biking, and reading action/suspense books. I also consider myself a huge movie guru and enjoy recanting movie quotes.
mlmorrison@liberty.edu | (434) 592-6149
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Katie Moore | Student Advocate
I was born and raised in Bristol, Virginia. I was the third of four children and was raised in a Christian home. I asked the Lord to come into my life when I was 5, and have continued to learn and grow since then. The Lord blessed my family with a younger brother who has Down syndrome. Although growing up with a special needs brother was definitely often difficult, the Lord used him to shape me more than anyone else. Through my brother, I learned a lot about patience, forgiveness, speaking soft words, and being understanding.
I was homeschooled through high school and then attended Liberty University for two wonderful years. I just finished up my courses this past summer. I graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Business Management and plan to pursue my MBA next year. My last day of classes was one week before I married my best friend. My husband and I knew each other for 12 years before getting married, but it wasn’t until I came to Liberty when we discussed our relationship being more than friends. We enjoy serving together in the local church and being involved in small groups. We are looking forward to how the Lord directs our future in ministry.
I feel honored to have the opportunity to continue being a part of Liberty University and want to help current students like I was helped during my time as a student.
kmoore13@liberty.edu | (434) 592-7014
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Tanner Hoyt | Student Advocate
I was born in the small town of Winterville, North Carolina, where I lived for 18 years before attending Liberty in the fall of 2008. I come from an amazing family with two loving parents and a wonderful older sister. At the age of eight, I came to know Christ as my personal Lord and Savior at the Franklin Graham Crusade in Greenville, North Carolina. My faith in Christ led me to Liberty University, where I recently graduated with a degree in Psychology-Human Services and a minor in Business in December of 2012. My time as a student at Liberty was truly the greatest experience of my life! I was also blessed with the opportunity to be a member of the Liberty Men’s Basketball team for two seasons. I look forward to continuing my education here at Liberty as I pursue a Master of Business Administration. In my spare time I enjoy playing golf, going to the lake, reading a good book, and watching college basketball on TV.
After graduating in December, the Lord opened the door for me to join the team in the Student Advocate Office. It is truly an honor to be given the opportunity to serve the students of Liberty University. There is no place I would rather be than Liberty and I am excited about the opportunity to meet and interact with current and future students! Go Flames!
tkhoyt@liberty.edu | (434) 592-4614
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Aaron Garcia | Student Advocate
I am a native New Englander, born and raised in southern New Hampshire. The Lord brought me to Lynchburg, VA in the Fall of 2007 after a long battle with what the Lord’s next step for me would be. God eventually called me into full-time ministry and Liberty University was the place to begin, starting with a Bachelor’s of Religion. Coming to the South was quite a transition for this New Englander. (I must say – adopting the word “y’all” was the hardest!)
My first year at Liberty University, I became involved in Student Leadership on my hall and so enjoyed this ministry opportunity among my peers. God has given me a passion for leadership and discipleship. During my time at Liberty I met the love of my life, Lorél, and we were married about a year after graduation. I am currently working on my Master of Divinity, and am enjoying the journey.
My hobbies include spontaneous adventures with my wife and our two energetic dogs, reading, and biking. I really enjoy building relationships with students and working with them to help them succeed at what God has put before them. I am so excited to be joining the Student Advocate team, and am looking forward to serving Liberty students and helping them be as successful as possible as a student at the world’s most exciting university!
asgarcia@liberty.edu | (434) 592-6536
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Nicholas Barton | Office Assistant
Born in Arizona, but raised in Georgia, I was a Pastor’s kid. I grew up in a church and Godly family where everything was normal. I went to elementary school and then was homeschooled all through middle school. As I entered the age of high school, I switched from home schooling to public schooling. Nothing too exciting there, but while growing up, we moved a couple times. My parents would feel that the church we were at didn’t quite fit our needs or that spiritual differences made him resign and change churches. My parents said I was baptized and accepted Christ at age five, however, I did not know what it meant to have a relationship with Jesus. As I got older I grew stronger in my faith and acted more upon it. I cannot say that it has always been easy for me, but I can say that I have always pulled though with the help of God.
I came to Liberty University as a CFAW-er in November of 2010 and loved it. I loved the tight knit community and everything that the university had to offer me. As of now I am a freshman at Liberty and I still love it. I am pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice where I can be acclimated with the law. In the mean time I work as an office assistant in the Student Advocate office. If you have any questions what so ever, it will be our privilege to assist you.
ncbarton@liberty.edu
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(434) 582-3827
DeMoss 2247
