Staff Writer- Cora Hess

This week’s Gustie of the Week is the Assistant Director of the Chaplains’ Office, Jodi Maas. Maas, a member of Sensemaking and Storytelling Circle, a Vocation Ambassador, and part of the First Generation community, is very involved around campus. Her job in the Chaplain’s Office consists of managing Chapel and Chill, Lunch and Learn programming, the Gustie Pantry, and working alongside and supporting student workers of the Chaplain’s Office.

Associate Vice President of Mission and Executive Chaplain, Grady St. Dennis, has known Maas for nine years and expressed his gratitude towards working with her. 

“Jodi is also a lifelong learner and curious person. I feel really grateful to have the opportunity to serve Gustavus with her on the Chaplains’ Office team. She brings so much not only to that team but truly to our whole Gustavus community,” St. Dennis shared. 

St. Dennis remembers a special moment occurring when Maas started working at Gustavus that told the Gustavus staff all they needed to know about hiring her. 

“Nearly nine years ago, when Jodi first started at Gustavus, on her first day there was a total solar eclipse. When the stars and moon aligned like they did we could tell Jodi was going to be a pretty big deal,” St. Dennis added. 

As she recounted the story of how she ended up at Gustavus, Maas explained that she was doing a lot of job searching when her friend, Jean Noren, in the President’s Office, suggested that she should apply for the Assistant Director position. 

“Initially, why I wanted the job was the sense of community. As I was walking around during my interview with Grady, we were between the Chapel and the library and I was like this is where I’m supposed to be. I felt very called to Gustavus,” Maas shared. 

A student worker in the Chaplains’ Office, Sophomore Piper Swanson, who has known Maas for the last two years, shared what it’s like to know and work with Maas. 

“Jodi is one of the kindest, most compassionate people I know. When she’s in the room, you will always have a warm smile and kind shoulder to rely on. She is the Campus Mom and I couldn’t think of a better one,” Swanson exclaimed. 

Not only is Maas involved throughout campus, but she is also a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Mankato. She got her college education from Minnesota State University, Mankato and has a degree in secondary education. 

“I have a passion for young adults and the church,” Maas shared. 

Another worker in the office, Senior Addison Andrix, who has worked alongside Maas for four years, shared a bit about her determination. He said that she never gives up and doesn’t let anything control her life; she takes control. 

“She is awesome. That is the easiest way to describe her. She has been my ‘mom’ at school because she is always there for us,” Andrix shared. 

Having been alongside her two kids as they went to Gustavus is one of Maas’s favorite memories from being at Gustavus. She strives to always support their dreams. She is a supporter of the Gustavus Football Team, as her son played on the team, and now she supports the St. Peter High School Football team, as her son coaches them. 

“At that time, my son was at Gustavus, and I was very active in the football community. I pretty much only wear black and gold, or Gustavus gear. You’re only gonna find me in pink if it says Gustavus,” Maas exclaimed.

Apart from being on campus, Maas loves to go to Chankaska with her work friends, waitresses part-time on Friday or Saturday evenings, and in the summer, she is a full-on lake person with her friends and family.

One of Maas’ strengths is her ability to connect with anyone she meets. She is always more than happy to create connections with those around her. 

“I think one of Jodi’s biggest strengths is that ability to talk to everyone, people she knows to people she doesn’t know. She can walk into a room and know not one person (which is almost impossible because she knows so many people), then leave having a connection with every single person,” Swanson shared. 

It is evident to everyone who knows Maas that her commitment to the students at Gustavus is something she lives by every day. 

“I love Jodi’s ability to relationally connect across a wide variety of groups. And I especially value her deep and authentic commitment to the students at Gustavus. She walks that talk every day,” St. Dennis shared. 

Never missing an opportunity to build these connections, Maas ensures that everyone around her feels loved and cared for. 

“Something special about Jodi is that when a student comes to her to talk or is just going through something, she will drop everything and listen to that student. Jodi is one of the busiest people I know, but I know that if I needed to talk with her, she would be there and actually hear what I am saying. When giving advice to students, she may not tell us what we always want to hear, but she tells us what we need to hear,” Swanson shared. 

It is clear that Maas always tries her best to keep the students and staff around her comfortable and safe. 

“For instance, the entrance of Old Main used to be just a hallway, but with Professor Heldke and I, it’s now a hangout space. I’m a genuine and authentic person, so across campus, it’s the real me with everyone that I work with. Grady would always say I’m the glue that keeps the office running smoothly,” Maas exclaimed.

For anyone who’s looking for a job or a safe community, Maas urges you to work for the Chaplains’ Office. She shared that she is most proud of the community her and her students have created in the office.

“I’m also proud of Chapel and Chill and the Gustie Pantry. I’m known as the crazy church lady, but I’m truly proud of the community that I have established and continued to nurture,” Maas shared.