EUGENE, Ore. — When the lights come up in Bushnell’s chapel or a campus event begins, Andrea Niemeyer ’21 is behind the scenes using her technical gifts to help others step forward, share their stories, and worship freely. As Bushnell’s media services lead technician, she views her work not just as production but as a form of service to the campus community.
A Bushnell alumna with a bachelor’s in contemporary music industry, Niemeyer combines her technical skill with her heart for ministry, ensuring that every campus event, especially chapel, creates opportunities for students to connect more deeply with Christ.
We recently caught up with Niemeyer to hear about the community that drew her back to Bushnell, the heart behind her work in chapel and campus events, and how she helps students grow both in their skills and in their faith.
Returning to a Community That Shaped Her
For Niemeyer, coming back to Bushnell as a staff member was a full-circle moment. “What brought me back was the culture,” she says. “I really enjoyed my time as a student here, and coming back as staff feels like giving back to the community that gave so much to me.” During her years as a student, she worked in media services and discovered her calling in audio-visual work. After graduation, she gained additional experience in live sound, video production, and technical support before returning to Bushnell to lead the same team that once trained her.
She now oversees all campus audio-visual needs, from chapel productions to classroom systems and live-streamed events. “AV is such a unique field,” she explains. “We operate the technology, but it’s really about helping people and serving them.”
Leading Worship Through Technology
Chapel plays a central role in Niemeyer’s work and purpose. “Having just the heart posture of being the AV lead and aiding in the worship experience of chapel is a major benefit that I really enjoy,” she shares. “Helping students grow closer to Christ through what they hear and experience in chapel is something I find very fulfilling.”
Beyond her technical expertise, Niemeyer is also passionate about mentoring student technicians. “I find a good sense of purpose in discipling students — the next generation of techs to come up after me,” she says. “Helping them grow not only in their careers but also in their walk with Christ is what makes this work meaningful.”
Her day-to-day work often extends far beyond chapel. From mixing sound and managing live streams to filming special projects, Niemeyer describes her role as being like a “Swiss Army knife.” Each day brings new challenges and opportunities to serve different parts of the university. “Not a lot of people realize what goes into AV,” she shares with a smile. “We handle a little bit of everything.”
Advice for Students
Niemeyer’s advice for Bushnell students reflects her own experience of faith, growth, and connection: “Go to events. Make meaningful relationships with your fellow students, because those will last far beyond your college years — and also, do your homework.”
Whether she is running audio for chapel, mentoring student workers, or ensuring that every event sounds its best, Niemeyer embodies Bushnell’s mission to serve with excellence, purpose, and faith. Her work may happen behind the scenes, but its impact resonates across campus.