Fr. Nick Winker, Director

Fr. Nick Winker was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of St. Louis in 2010. He grew up in north St. Louis County. Thinking he would be an engineer, Father studied Computer Engineering at the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla Missouri, although back then it was called UMR. With the help Newman Center in Rolla and the friendships he developed there he discerned a call to the priesthood. As a priest, Fr. Nick has spent a lot of his time working with high school students in the youth ministry programs at the parishes he served. He is anxious to “graduate” to working with college students. Fr. Nick is also the Parochial Administrator of St. Ann’s Parish in Normandy. Fr. Nick may be reached at frnick@cncumsl.org.

Kay Dieckmann, Development Director and Staff Assistant

Kay was born and raised in St. Louis.  She and her husband, Steve, call St. Ann Parish (just down the street from UMSL) their “home away from home” along with their 4 children: Ellen, Claire, John, and Lydia. Kay is a graduate from UMSL with a degree in Business Management and a minor in Communications.  Kay has been with the CNC for 14 years and looking forward to another great year. She will continue directing annual giving, special fundraising events, major gifts, and of course her favorite part, hanging out the with students. Before coming to the CNC, Kay worked in hotel sales and marketing.  When she is not working, you will find her coaching her children’s soccer teams, jogging, hanging out with family and friends. Kay can be reached at Kay@cncumsl.org.

Joe LaScala, Campus Minister

Joe is from Kansas City, MO but currently lives in Mascoutah, IL with his wife, Michelle, and son, Gabriel. He has been in ministry for over 15 years as a Youth Minister, High School Campus Minister, Director of Religious Education, and Director of Faith Formation. He has led trips to NCYC, Steubenville Youth Conferences, March for Life in Washington D.C, mission trips, and over 150 retreats. Retreat ministry is a passion of Joe’s, and it has driven him to create his own ministry called Fire Within Ministries. When he’s not spending time in ministry, you could find him with his family, attempting to play disc golf, playing Mario Kart on the Wii, playing board and card games, or watching the Marvel and Star Wars movies and series. He is, as he puts it, a self-confessed Catholic dork who loves to wear beard balm that smells like Sacred Chrism and socks with saints on them. He is looking forward to meeting you this semester! Joe may be reached at joe@cncumsl.org.