Newman FOCUS Team
We are excited to welcome five FOCUS Missionaries to the Newman Center and the University of Arizona for the first time! FOCUS – the Fellowship of Catholic University Students – forms young adults to minister at campuses across the United States and beyond. The Newman FOCUS Team will be supporting and enhancing our existing ministries through expanding outreach to the UArizona Campus, leading bible studies and exploring the call to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Mitch Stephens
My name is Mitchell Stephens and I’m a third year missionary from St. Louis, Missouri. I went to Loyola Chicago for college and joined Beta Theta Pi fraternity there. I graduated with a degree in History with plans to go to law school when God called me to be His missionary. In 2022, I married the love of my life and we now serve on mission together. Ever since I said yes to Christ, He has showed me what life to the full looks like. In my free time I love to play sports, hike and camp, be in nature, watch movies, and go on adventures.
✉️ mitch@uacatholic.org
Clare Stephens
My name is Clare Stephens and I’m a third year missionary from St. Louis, Missouri. I went to college at TCU where I studied Biology and Chemistry and joined Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. In 2022, I married my best friend of 6 years and we now serve as missionaries together. I have come to find that all the desires of my heart – adventure, greatness, love, etc – are all found in a personal relationship with Jesus and I am passionate about sharing His abundant life with others. In my free time I love to get out in nature, play sports, paint, read, get boba/tea/coffee, go to dinner with friends, rock climb, star gaze, and any other adventure.
✉️ clare@uacatholic.org
Alicia Fanning
Alicia is a third-year missionary from Arlington, WA. She studied Family and Community Development at the University of Idaho and graduated in May 2021. She has spent the last two years serving the students at Boise State University (yes, they have the blue field). In her free time Alicia enjoys rock climbing, hiking, reading, painting and drawing, drinking lavender lattes, and going on exciting adventures.
✉️ alicia@uacatholic.org
Juan Diego Barrantes Villavicencio
Juan Diego is a First-Year Missionary from Lima, Peru. He graduated with a BS in Business Marketing from Grand Canyon University in 2022 (Lopes Up). In college, he was involved in the International Student’s Club, PBL Business Club, Resident Life and his Newman Center. In his free time he enjoys going to the movies, trying new foods, singing, escape rooms, board games and chilling at the beach/pool.
Sarah Al-Hilfy Leon
Sarah is a first-year missionary from Lincoln, NE. She majored in Global Studies and minored in Human Rights, Arabic, and French at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and graduated in December of 2022. In college, Sarah was involved in her Newman Center, working closely with the migrant population in Lincoln, and her photography portrait business. In her free time, Sarah enjoys longboarding, making art, baking, and hiking.