STAFF
Cru staff, interns, and volunteers work with and empower our student leaders.
J.W. & STEPHANIE BETTS
Team Leaders
We are originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico and we’ve been on staff with Cru since 2001. We love hanging out with college students talking about our awesome savior Jesus. Before serving here in central NY, we were on staff in Sevilla, Spain, and Kearney Nebraska. Our life is an exciting adventure of faith. We’ve got five kids who we really love a lot: Jack, Josiah, Titus, Ruby, and Juni. They keep us wild and crazy. Our family likes bikes, books and bean burritos from Taco Bell.
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BEN HOLTON
I’m originally from Elmira, NY and I got involved with Cru as a student at SUNY Cortland. God has move in powerful ways there and it was amazing to be a part of that. I joined full time staff with Cru in January 2025 because I felt His calling to help foster Christian community that is passionate about discipleship and evangelism. I recently married my wife Sarah Holton in May 2025 and together we plan to serve at both SUNY Cortland and Binghamton University. We enjoy hiking, hanging out in community, watching movies, and playing with our dog Lincoln.
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VOLUNTEERS
BEN & HANNAH HUTTON
We graduated from Cornell in 2008 (Ben) and 2009 (Hannah) and were profoundly impacted by our experience with Cru. After graduation, we spent time in Minneapolis and did grad school in Philadelphia (Westminster Seminary for Ben, University of Pennsylvania for Hannah) before following God’s call to return to Ithaca. Ben is a freelance web developer working for Desiring God and the Associate Pastor of Christ Chapel, the church we attend. Hannah takes care of our three kids — Elijah, David, and Lydia. We both enjoy getting on campus, spending time with students, and letting our kids run around at Cru events.
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VALERIE HU
I am originally from the Bay Area in California and graduated from Cornell in 2025. I started following Jesus just a few months before coming to college, so friends and mentors in Cru at Cornell were the first to disciple me and my first Christian community — and I’m so grateful! As an intern, I’ve loved hanging out on campus, talking about Jesus, and hosting Peace Feasts (dinners bringing Muslim and Christian students together to talk about faith), and I’m passionate about women’s discipleship. Since January, I’ve been working remotely in tech consulting, so you might catch me on campus on weekdays with two monitors and big headphones! I enjoy laughing, late nights, and learning languages because it unlocks the door to new cultures and allows us to share about Jesus with friends of all backgrounds.
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INTERNS
BROOKE NICHOLS
I graduated from Cornell in the Spring of 2025 with a degree in Hospitality. During my time at Cornell, I gave my life to Jesus and have since decided to remain on the college campus to intern with Cru.
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Some fun facts about me: I used to be a gravity racer for the All-American Soap Box Derby for 12 years, I have 4 brothers and no sisters, and I LOVE dancing!
I’m so excited to be a part of this amazing team for next year.
CARLETON PERKINS
I graduated from Cornell in 2024 with a degree in Astronomy and a minor in East Asian Studies. I was deeply involved with Cru during my time as a student, and those years were indeed some of the most spiritually formative of my life. God used those epic times to grow my faith and give me a desire to walk alongside others on their journeys with Him. After graduation, I felt a clear call to stay in Ithaca — alas, even the frigid winters couldn’t deter me — and I’ve been serving with Cru on campus ever since. I’m originally from Queens, New York, and I love worshipping with my guitar, having thoughtful conversations with students, and being in awe of God’s creation, especially while studying the stars. It’s a joy to serve in the very community that shaped so much of my own walk with Christ!
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HANNAH GUAN
I am from West Chester, PA, and graduated from Cornell in 2025 with a degree in nutrition! As a freshman, I was originally drawn to the diverse and missions-focused aspects of Cru as a fellowship, and since then, have experienced rich fellowship and more of God’s faithfulness than I could have imagined. I have been blessed by so many people who have taught and poured into me throughout my time at college, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to stay another year and walk alongside students at Cornell! I am always down to explore Ithaca trails, bake batches of sweet potatoes, and have long long conversations!!
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HUDSON TUMEY
Hi! I’m Hudson, originally from North Carolina and one of 12 siblings. I just graduated with a degree in Biological Engineering. I love sports, traveling, and seeing how faith shapes every part of life—especially in community.
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