Kevin Abel serves as Warner University’s Vice President of Student Life, a role he began in June 2024. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Bluffton College and a Master of Arts in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University.
“It has been a great honor over the past two years to be able to walk alongside students and encourage them in their faith. We have so many students who are hungry to grow closer to the Lord and we get to walk that journey with them. Working at Warner has been one of the highlights of my career in higher education because of this.” – Kevin Abel
Kevin Abel’s journey in higher education spans more than two decades, marked by a deep commitment to student development, leadership, and retention. He began his career in residence life at Keystone College in Pennsylvania before moving to Palm Beach Atlantic University, where he steadily advanced through leadership roles, including Director of Residence Life, Associate Dean of Students, and Dean of Students. During his time there, Kevin led initiatives to strengthen student engagement, improve retention, enhance campus safety, and create meaningful opportunities for student leadership and personal growth.
In 2018, Kevin became Vice President of Student Affairs at Spring Hill College in Alabama, where he served on the President’s Cabinet and oversaw a broad range of student services. His leadership contributed to significant retention gains, strengthened mental health services, and improved the overall student experience. He later served as Dean of Students at the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science before joining Warner University in June 2024 as Vice President of Student Life and Title IX Coordinator.
At Warner, Kevin brings his extensive experience and student-centered approach to fostering a campus environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and spiritually. As a member of the President’s Cabinet, he oversees Spiritual Life, Residence Life, and Community Life, while providing leadership for university-wide retention initiatives. His efforts have contributed to an 8% increase in first-year student retention, alongside improvements among several student populations. He has also helped expand on-campus mental health services, established new residential communities for first-year students, and developed spiritual formation and student leadership programs rooted in Warner’s Christian mission.
Throughout his career, Kevin has remained focused on creating a college experience that extends beyond the classroom—one that builds community, encourages personal growth, and supports students as they discover their purpose. At Warner University, he continues that work by bringing together student support, leadership development, and spiritual growth to help students flourish during their time on campus and beyond.
“Kevin’s focused and consistent leadership has had a tremendous impact on the spiritual vitality of our campus. His uncompromising commitment to keeping the gospel of Jesus Christ at the center of all Student Life programming is felt daily—by the students as well as by the faculty and staff. He longs to see students not only meet Jesus in the educational process but also abide in Him throughout the challenges and victories of their academic journey. He is steady and strong, and he understands the complexities of educational ministry as well as anyone in Christian higher education.” – Dr. Sutton
Warner University is grateful to have Kevin’s experience, leadership, and heart for student development guiding Student Life, and we are thankful for the meaningful impact he continues to make in the lives of our students and the Warner community.
