Support Committee

Rebekah L. Arevalo, M.S., serves as chief of staff, board liaison, and assistant vice president for the Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Initiative at Valparaiso University. Since joining Valpo in 2014, she has held a variety of roles with increasing responsibility across academic and administrative areas.

As chief of staff, she supports the president and leadership team and provides strategic oversight of key campus functions. In her role as board liaison, she manages communications and operations for the Board of Directors. As assistant vice president for the HSI Initiative, she leads the ¡VALE! (Valpo Advancing Latino Education) task force to promote student success for Latine and bilingual students. She also oversees the Departments of Information Technology, Communications, and Student Life, and the Office of the President staff.

Rebekah is an ex-officio member of the University’s Staff Council and meets regularly with Student Senate leadership. She is currently serving as the administrative support for Valpo’s presidential search, a role she also held during the University’s 2019-2020 search. From 2021-2024, she served as a board member for the Urban League of Northwest Indiana and is a trained facilitator in multiple diversity and inclusion programs.

She holds a master of science in leadership with a concentration in higher education and is also a proud Valpo parent — her daughter is a graduate of the University.

Bianca Villarruel joined the Valpo community in August 2014, bringing her extensive experience in higher education to the academic advising team within the College of Nursing and Health Professions. In this role, she provided comprehensive guidance to students, helping them navigate their academic paths, develop their professional goals, and maximize their educational experiences. Her dedication to student success and her deep understanding of curriculum requirements allowed her to build strong, supportive relationships with her advisees.

Bianca’s transition to roles within the Office of the President has further broadened her expertise, offering her the opportunity to contribute to strategic initiatives and collaborate with University leadership. Her experience in these roles has given her valuable insights into the complexities of higher education administration, enhancing her ability to support students, faculty, and staff effectively. With nearly 20 years of experience in higher education, Bianca is equipped with a strong foundation to support student development, leadership growth, and institutional success.

Bianca holds a bachelor of science in health science from Ball State University, earned in 2002, and a certificate in organizational leadership and supervision from Purdue North Central, completed in 2011. She is serving as administrative support for the Presidential Search Committee.