Dana Mikels’s Village Christian roots run deep, and heading into the 2025-2026 school year, they’ll take a new turn as the current Middle School Principal transitions into the High School role, the school has officially announced.
Mikels formally accepted the new appointment earlier this year, when current Principal Doug Berry announced his retirement.
But for the Class of 1993 VCS alumna, the High School Principal position isn’t just a new challenge, it’s a full circle moment as she prepares to take over the office once occupied by her late father, Village luminary Dave Wilson.
“I always had a picture of what I knew my dad to be, when he was a High School Principal, the type of administrator he was, and the relationships that he had with the students – that I eye-witnessed,” Mikels said. “Quite honestly, his model of the high school principal has always been in my brain of how to do this job, how to care about your faculty and staff, how to care about your students, and how to keep Jesus at the center of it.”
That’s exactly what she’s done throughout her eight years as Middle School Principal, during which time Mikels provided invaluable stability across grades 6, 7, and 8; mentored faculty and staff; and was foundational in the development and implementation of “The March” eighth-grade trip through the south, visiting pivotal sites in the Civil Rights Movement and the Civil War.
“That is a very special part of being in Middle School,” she said of “The March,” “but I think in looking at that time, one of the things that I have treasured, and will have in my heart as I go, is being able to build within the Middle School here at Village a value of those years – of having people know that it’s not just a holding tank for High School. It’s not just three years that we’re going to hang on and try to get through, but that there is really important and valuable development that happens in those three years.”
Since being hired full-time at VCS in 1998, Mikels taught Bible and History for 10 years and has served as the Dean of Students and an Assistant Principal.
The 1997 Azusa Pacific University graduate holds her Bachelor’s of Arts in Social Science, as well as two Master’s degrees from APU in Curriculum and Instruction as well as Educational Leadership.
In 2024, she completed the prestigious Van Lunen Ascending Leaders fellowship through Calvin University.
“In addition to her long and loyal commitment to VCS, Mrs. Mikels has prepared herself thoroughly to be an excellent new leader of our high school,” said Head of School Tom Konjoyan. “Having served as a teacher, Assistant Principal, Middle School Principal, coach, and more, she is also a graduate of one of the most respected Christian school training programs in the country. We are blessed to have Mrs. Mikels as our High School Principal.”
Her rare combination of professional and personal experience inside and outside of Village’s walls has her primed to take VCS into an exciting new chapter, all while staying true to the school’s mission and heart’s desire – reaching students for Christ.
“Why we do this is super impactful,” Mikels said. “Yes, academic career. Yes, let’s get kids into college. Yes, let’s find great options for kids – absolutely. After all, we’re a school. But the thing that I think has me the most excited about high school is how much more we get to do. For Village, it’s the opportunity we have to take it a step further and really be able to impact lives for the eternal, not just a vocational choice.”