Rogue Valley Adventist Academy (RVAA) in Medford has welcomed two new staff members to the RVAA campus this year.
With a business marketing degree, a minor in communication and experience in small-business accounting, Paul Meulemans is well-equipped to ensure that RVAA’s finances run smoothly as he serves as its business manager. Born and raised in the countryside near Green Bay, Wis., Meulemans learned the value of work at a young age, growing vegetables to raise money for school and other necessities. He graduated from Wisconsin Academy in Columbus, Wis., and furthered his education at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mich.
Meulemans' background also includes experience in construction, maintenance and auto mechanics, enabling him to oversee campus maintenance as part of his position. In fact, his dedication to campus improvements has already been evident to and appreciated by the RVAA community and staff.
Meulemans enjoys hands-on projects where he’s able to create dramatic transformations, as well as outdoor activities such as running, cycling and snowboarding. New to southern Oregon, he looks forward to one day climbing Mount McLoughlin and cycling the Oregon Coast. His goals for RVAA include bolstering admissions by creating a marketing coalition and, above all, taking every opportunity to show the awesome love of Jesus Christ to the young people. He and his wife, Shelli, have been married two years.
The school's new principal is no stranger to southern Oregon, having attended RVAA (then Rogue Valley Junior Academy) for most of her elementary and academy years. The church and school community is delighted to have Ann Campbell return "home."
After attending RVAA through 10th grade, Campbell graduated from Milo Adventist Academy in Days Creek and secured her elementary education degree from Walla Walla University, also earning a minor in art. Her first teaching position took her to Sacramento (Calif.) Adventist Academy, where she taught junior high language arts, art, PE and some high school art classes.
During that time, Campbell also earned her master’s degree from Pacific Union College in Angwin, Calif. After a number of years in Sacramento, the Lord led her to the Portland, Ore., area where she worked as vice principal at Portland Adventist Elementary School and later served as principal and teacher at Rivergate Adventist Elementary School in Gladstone for 14 years.
When asked what the most compelling factor was for accepting the principal position at RVAA, Campbell replied, “I wanted to come home to my roots, to be near my family. I believe the Lord will be coming soon. It was time to come back home. Through my career, I have felt the Lord’s call to serve Him. I believe God called me back to Medford. It is my prayer that I can be a blessing to my school family … .”
Campbell has always liked sports and now enjoys golf, biking, knitting, reading and swimming. She clearly loves being with the students each day and feeling their positive energy toward life and their love for Jesus. RVAA students and staff alike sense her passion for education and appreciate the positive, Christ-like leadership she has demonstrated already this school year.
Her philosophy for leading RVAA is evident. “I believe in building relationships with students, parents and staff," she explains. "It is an important part of building up a positive program. Most importantly, I want to help students build a lasting relationship with Jesus.”
Paul Meulemans and his wife, Shelli, came to Medford so Paul could serve as the Rogue Valley Adventist Academy business manager.
Ann Campbell, the new Rogue Valley Adventist Academy principal, visits with students.
