President's Council

Jon R. Wallace, DBA

President

Chosen as president and chief executive officer in November 2000, Jon R. Wallace, DBA, immediately began building upon the legacy of his predecessors and envisioning the next level of God-honoring excellence for Azusa Pacific University.

Strong leadership from President Wallace and the Board of Trustees facilitated an efficient team focused on education and enrichment. A new provost and the reorganization of that office propelled the university’s goal to recruit, retain, and develop the highest quality professors in every discipline. Wallace provided additional resources for these incoming faculty members and the subsequent enrollment increase by overseeing the completion of the Duke Academic Complex, which houses the School of Theology and Stamps Theological Library, as well as Trinity Hall, accommodating 350 student residents. Wallace’s vision for the next decade encompasses both the detailed steps and the innovative ideas necessary to continue APU’s growth and success.

A published author and sought-after speaker, Wallace attends Baseline Community Church, where he has served as an elder. He enjoys cooking, outdoor exercise, and family time. His wife, Gail, is an assistant professor of prior learning assessment in APU’s liberal studies degree-completion program and has recently completed her studies for a Ph.D. in Higher Education. They have three children: David, Matt, and Kate.
Mark Stanton, Ph.D., ABPP

Provost

Mark Stanton, Ph.D., is the provost at Azusa Pacific University. He served APU previously as founding dean of Behavioral and Applied Health (2006–11), chair of the Department of Graduate Psychology (2000–06), and founding director of the Doctor of Psychology program (1996-2006). He identifies himself as a family psychologist, adopting an understanding of human behavior that recognizes the importance of individual, interpersonal, and environmental factors. He was the 2005 president of the Society for Family Psychology of the American Psychological Association. He is a licensed psychologist in the state of California, board certified in couple and family psychology with the American Board of Professional Psychology (an internationally recognized postdoctoral board covering specialties in psychology). Stanton is the 2011–12 president of the American Board of Couple and Family Psychology, a constituent board of the American Board of Professional Psychology. The Society for Family Psychology recognized him as the Family Psychologist of the Year in 2007.
Stanton is the author of more than 40 articles, books, and book chapters on the systemic treatment of substance abuse, the epistemology of couple and family psychology, graduate education in family psychology, and personality-guided couple therapy. He is the inaugural editor of Couple and Family Psychology: Research & Practice, a peer-reviewed journal published by APA, and previously served as editor of The Family Psychologist (2002–07). He is co-author of Specialty Competencies in Couple and Family Psychology and the co-editor of The Wiley-Blackwell Handbook of Family Psychology (with James Bray, 2009), a 54-chapter comprehensive overview of the specialty of family psychology.
Ilene L. Bezjian, DBA

Dean, School of Business and Management

Ilene Bezjian, DBA, is the dean of Azusa Pacific University's School of Business and Management. She is a highly sought-after marketing and business consultant. With more than 30 years of experience as an international business relations expert, she has brokered successful negotiations with countries such as China, England, Germany, Switzerland, and The Netherlands.

Recognized as an outstanding business leader by the American Marketing Association, Bezjian has worked with the aerospace, educational, and entertainment industries. She teaches in both the undergraduate and graduate programs at APU, and her research areas include consumer behavior, integrating service learning into business curricula, and transformational scholarship.
David E. Bixby, Ed.D.

Executive Vice President

As Azusa Pacific University’s executive vice president, Dave Bixby leads the alumni relations, estate planning, marketing, development, and enrollment management teams. He serves as a member of the university’s Office of the President, which is responsible for setting and enforcing policy and overall management of the university.

Bixby earned a bachelor’s degree in 1978, and a master’s in 1982, both from APU. In 2000, he earned a doctorate in education from Pepperdine University. From 1981–84, Bixby served as APU’s dean of admissions, and as the university’s director of development from 1984–85. From 1985–91, Bixby served as Fuller Theological Seminary’s director of development, managing a staff of six professionals and additional support staff. He currently serves on the boards of Baseline Community Church and Mission Aviation Fellowship. He resides in Glendora, California, with his wife, Renee. They have four children and one grandchild.
T. Scott Daniels, Ph.D.

Dean, School of Theology

Scott Daniels, Ph.D., brings more than 20 years of ministry in the Church and Christian higher education to his role as dean of APU’s School of Theology. In addition, he is currently serving as senior pastor of Pasadena First Church of the Nazarene. Previously, Daniels served as senior pastor of Richardson Church of the Nazarene in Richardson, Texas, where the Dallas District Church of the Nazarene named him Large Church Pastor of the Year in 2005. He became an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene in 1991.

In addition to leading large churches in California and Texas, Daniels has also served as a member of the Board of Trustees for Fuller Theological Seminary and Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma. He has a passion for teaching, with 15 years of experience in the classroom, including recently completing a semester as an adjunct professor of practical theology and preaching at APU.
Don H. Davis, MBA

Vice President
Chief Information Officer

As chief information officer, Don Davis provides leadership and strategic direction for information technology at Azusa Pacific University. He also serves on the Administrative Cabinet. Davis earned a bachelor's degree in information management systems, and a master's degree in business administration, from Azusa Pacific University. He also serves as a member of the Charter Oak Unified School District Governing Board. He lives in Glendora with his wife, Sharon, and their two daughters.
Vicky R. Bowden, DNSc, RN

Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies
WASC Accreditation Liaison Officer
Professor, School of Nursing

Providing leadership to the undergraduate program as vice provost, as well as director of the Honors Program, and serving as the university accreditation liaison officer, Vicky R. Bowden, DNSc, RN, is a member of the Office of the President and Office of the Provost teams, President’s Council, Academic Cabinet, and several faculty governance committees. Vicky has fulfilled a number of leadership roles in the School of Nursing and across the university. A recognized leader and scholar in pediatric nursing, Bowden has a history of important contributions to her discipline and to APU. Her teaching career spans nearly 30 years at Azusa Pacific University; Vanderbilt University; California State universities Fullerton, Dominguez Hills, and Los Angeles; University of California, Los Angeles; and UCI Medical Center.

Bowden worked for more than 15 years in pediatrics at several leading hospitals, and holds a BSN from Harding University in Arkansas, a master’s degree with a dual specialty in pediatric nursing and nursing education from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and a doctorate in nursing science from the University of San Diego.
Kimberly B.W. Denu, Ph.D., MSW

Special Advisor to the President

Kimberly B.W. Denu, Ph.D., is a Fulbright alumna to South Africa, and serves as a special assistant to the president. She has published works in the areas of African-American issues, women and family matters, welfare reform, and international relations.
Denu, an ordained minister, continues to speak and do ministry in the Greater Los Angeles area, as well as participate in ongoing ministry throughout the world. With degrees in sociology and social work, her teaching areas include grant and proposal writing, research, policy, and a variety of sociology courses. In addition, Denu continues to teach for Azusa Pacific University’s Global Leadership program, which allows her the opportunity to teach and train leaders who are working on graduate degrees throughout the world.
Mark S. Dickerson, Ph.D., J.D.

Senior Vice President

Mark S. Dickerson was appointed general counsel of APU in January 2002, and named vice president for legal and community affairs of the university in 2003. He has been practicing law since 1976, and has served in private practice, as general counsel for a multinational corporation listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and as a member of a crisis management team addressing the legal and financial issues facing a large charitable organization involved in one of the largest charitable bankruptcy proceedings in U.S. history.

Dickerson received a B.S. in mathematics from Grand Canyon University, an M.A. in theology from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. He also holds an M.A. and a Ph.D. in human and organizational systems from Fielding Graduate University. Dickerson has an appointment as associate professor in the Department of Leadership and College Student Development in the School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences, and teaches a number of graduate classes. He and his wife, Barbara, have two children, and reside in Azusa, California.
David Dufault-Hunter, M.A.

Vice President for Enrollment Management

As vice president for enrollment management at Azusa Pacific University, David Dufault-Hunter is responsible for leading the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, student financial services for both undergraduate students and the School of Adult and Professional Studies, the undergraduate and APS registrar, retention and student engagement, and enrollment management systems. With nearly two decades of experience in financial aid and enrollment, Dufault-Hunter provides cohesive vision, leadership, and strategic direction to undergraduate enrollment management exclusively. He also serves on the APU President’s Council, which is comprised of the university’s president, provost, deans, and administration, and is responsible for overall management of the faculty and staff of the university.

From 1997 to 2000, Dufault-Hunter served as director of financial aid, then director of admissions and financial services (2000–05), at Fuller Theological Seminary. Prior to joining APU, he served as director of admissions and marketing at Oaks Christian School (2005–09). Dufault-Hunter, who resides in Monrovia, California, with his wife, Erin, and children, Hope and Sean, earned his bachelor’s degree in speech from the University of Texas at Austin in 1988, and his master’s degree in theology from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1998.
Terry A. Franson, Ph.D.

Senior Vice President for Student Life
Dean of Students

Franson is senior vice president for student life and dean of students. One of the most decorated coaches in NAIA history, he established APU as the premier small college track and field program throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, during which time he coached 125 NAIA All-American athletes, including 39 national champions. Included in the mix are 8 Olympians, including 1992 decathlon bronze medalist Dave Johnson. Franson was named the NAIA Coach of the Year for a record 10 straight years (1982–91), and led the Cougar men to a record 11 NAIA outdoor national championships in 13 years, including an unprecedented streak of 7 consecutive crowns from 1983–89. He served as the university’s director of athletics from 1993–96, and his mark as a coach will be hard for anyone to duplicate.

With his continued professional success, university leaders approached Franson about taking on a greater leadership role with the students. Thus, in the summer of 1996, he resigned as athletic director to become APU’s dean of students, ending a 30-year direct relationship with sports. Franson, who earned a master’s degree in education from Chico State in 1977, and a Ph.D in physical education from USC in 1986, resides in Claremont, California, with his wife, Nancy.
Fred G. Garlett, Ed.D.

Dean, School of Adult and Professional Studies

Fred Garlett, Ed.D., is dean of the School of Adult and Professional Studies. In 1992, he developed and launched the School of Business and Management’s first adult degree completion program, which, under his direction, has grown to offer six undergraduate majors and one graduate program. Garlett also supervises the delivery of programs to six of APU’s off-campus regional centers, and the development of several online programs. He serves on the Academic Cabinet, and from 1984 to 1990 was part of a faculty start-up team delivering the first adult degree completion program in Kansas. Garlett has also taught master’s degree programs in Chile, Austria, Switzerland, Ghana, and Kenya.
Paul W. Gray, Ed.D.

Dean, University Libraries

Since joining APU in 1989, Paul Gray, Ed.D. has served in a variety of roles, including dean of libraries, dean of computing services and university librarian, dean of academic computer services and university librarian, interim dean of the School of Theology and the School of Education and Behavioral Studies, and vice provost for academic affairs. As the university’s vice provost for graduate programs and research, and dean of university libraries, he currently leads the libraries, Office of Research, Office of Sponsored Research and Grants, the Institutional Review Board, and institutional animal care and use committee teams. He also serves on the university’s President’s Council and Academic Cabinet, which comprise the leadership of the university.

From 1972 to 1985, Gray was director of a dormitory at a children’s home, director of a living residence for mentally disabled adults, and as vice president of the Golden Christian Academy. He then served as director of the Margaret Estes Library and Longview Citizens Resources Center at LeTourneau University from 1985 to 1989. Gary, who resides in Glendora, holds three master’s degrees and a doctorate of education. In 2000, he graduated from Harvard Institutes. He and his wife, Rachel, attend Lake Avenue Church, and have three children and eight grandchildren.
Diane J. Guido, Ph.D.

Vice Provost for Graduate Programs and Research
Research Integrity Officer

After 10 years at Claremont Graduate University, Diane J. Guido, Ph.D. joined Azusa Pacific University as the associate dean in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 2001. After two years in that position, she assumed the role of vice provost for undergraduate programs for eight years and now serves as the vice provost for graduate programs and research, and as research integrity officer. Guido, who edits the Claremont Graduate University McNair Research Journal and occasionally teaches German language classes, recently published The German League for the Prevention of Women’s Emancipation: Antifeminism in Germany, 1912–1920 (Peter Lang, 2010). She earned a Ph.D. in History and an MBA from Claremont Graduate University, after receiving a B.A. in Foreign Languages from Pepperdine University. In her spare time, Guido enjoys competing in sprint triathlons.
Anita Henck

Dean, School of Education

Anita Henck, Ph.D., brings a wealth of experience to her positions as dean of the School of Education, chair of the Department of College Student Development and Organizational Leadership, director of the M.A. in Leadership program, and associate professor of leadership and in the Department of Doctoral Higher Education. Prior to arriving at APU, Henck served as vice president for student development at Eastern Nazarene College and as assistant to the provost at American University. Henck has taught in master's and doctoral programs since 1987 at American University, Eastern Nazarene College, and APU. Her research interests and publications center around collaborative leadership, presidential transitions in college and universities, organizational change and student spiritual formation.
Bob Johansen, CPA, M.A.

Senior Vice President
Chief Financial Officer

Bob Johansen serves as APU’s senior vice president and chief financial officer. He is responsible for financial management and reporting, and provides general oversight of the Human Resource, Business Office, University Services, and Asset Management departments. Johansen also plans and coordinates the preparation of the university budget, plans and presents periodic financial statements and operational reports to the APU management and board, and prepares long-range projections to develop a financial strategy.

Johansen is a member of the Office of the President, and chairs the Administrative Cabinet. He also serves on the President’s Council and represents management on the Financial Affairs, Audit, and Investment committees. He resides in Bradbury, California, with his wife, Cindy. They have four children and five grandchildren.
Aja Tulleners Lesh, RN, Ph.D.

Dean, School of Nursing

Aja Tulleners Lesh, Ph.D., RN, dean of APU’s School of Nursing, received her BSN and MN from the University of California, Los Angeles, and her Ph.D. from the Claremont Graduate School.
Donald Neufeld, M.A.

Dean, School of Music

Don Neufeld, M.A., dean of the School of Music, has been an APU faculty member since 1972 in the areas of music theory and music education. He also served as interim dean of the APU School of Music from 1998 to 1999.
Neufeld has published and recorded more than 100 compositions or arrangements with BMG, Glorysound, Lillenas, Telarc, Resmiranda, and Pauline Records. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from Pasadena College, and a Master of Arts in Music Theory from California State University, Fullerton.
David Peck, Ph.D.

Vice President for University Relations

David Peck, Ph.D., oversees the protection and promotion of the Azusa Pacific University brand through marketing, public relations, storytelling, the university website, other online components, and social media strategies. He also drives internal and external strategic communications, helps increase the university’s market share through brand-related endeavors, and conducts market research to assist in these efforts, as well as in community and government relations. He provides vision and leadership to the Office of University Relations.
Before beginning at Azusa Pacific in 1997, David served as a marketing and public relations professional in the entertainment industry. David earned an MBA from APU in 2002 and a Ph.D. in Media Psychology from Fielding Graduate University in 2012. His experience and expertise in social media, media psychology, and storytelling—combined with his strengths in leadership—help further advance the mission and purpose of APU.
Heather Petridis, MBA

Vice President for Graduate and Nontraditional Enrollment and Student Services

Heather Petridis is responsible for leading Graduate Admissions, Graduate Student Financial Services, the Graduate Registrar, the Graduate Center’s client services, Nontraditional Enrollment Services, The Center for eLearning and Teaching, the Office of Military and Veterans Resources, and the university’s seven regional centers located throughout Southern California.

Petridis serves on the APU President’s Council, the Academic Cabinet, and the Administrative Cabinet, and chairs the Regional Center Strategic Design Team. Her leadership experience in higher education over the past 15 years spans private and for-profit education, career services, enrollment management, and regional center operations. Petridis earned a bachelor’s degree from Azusa Pacific University and an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership. She resides in Rancho Cucamonga, California, and attends Water of Life Community Church with her husband and their two daughters.
John C. Reynolds, Ph.D.

Executive Vice President

John Reynolds serves as executive vice president at Azusa Pacific University, where he provides leadership for the administration of the university, nontraditional education, and the university’s international strategic initiatives. Reynolds earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science and information systems in South Africa, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership at APU. He also teaches as an adjunct professor in his research interests of leadership, organizational effectiveness, change management, and strategic thinking.

In addition to his years of experience in higher education, Reynolds has leadership experience as an I.T. executive in the mining industry, and the global CIO for World Vision International, a large private international relief organization (1991–2000). He is a regular speaker at national conferences throughout the world, and a specialist in applied organizational effectiveness. He has consulted, coached, and advised nongovernmental organization (NGO) leaders in more than 40 countries. Reynolds serves on several non-profit and educational boards, including African Enterprise (USA), Christian Leadership Alliance, LCC International University (Lithuania), Azusa Pacific International (South Africa), Open Doors (USA), and LCC Charity (USA). He also serves as an elder at Glenkirk Presbyterian Church in Glendora, California.
David L. Weeks, Ph.D.

Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

David L. Weeks, Ph.D., is dean of APU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and a professor of political science. His academic interests include political philosophy and American politics. In particular, Weeks is interested in the intersection of religion and politics and the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as evangelical political activism. He has published several articles and made numerous presentations on these topics. Weeks’ educational interests include liberal education, Christian higher education, and faculty development.
Robert Welsh, Ph.D., ABPP

Dean, School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences

Robert Welsh, Ph.D., ABPP, is dean of the School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences. He is board-certified in forensic psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology and is a fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Psychology. Dr. Welsh co-authored (with Mark Stanton, Ph.D., ABPP) Specialty Competencies in Couple and Family Psychology (Oxford Press, 2011). Broadly, Dr. Welsh writes and conducts research in the application of Nonlinear Dynamic Systems to problems encountered by professional psychologists. Specifically, he is interested in the application of systemic methodologies to inform psychotherapy outcome research, forensic psychology practice, and local and global conflict.