President’s Cabinet

The President’s Cabinet is accountable for the leadership and management of the university.

  • Paul W. Ferguson, Ph.D., DABT

    President

    Prior to his role as APU’s 17th president, Paul Ferguson served as the founding dean of the School of Science, Technology, and Health at Biola University and held leadership roles at five universities, including as president of Ball State University and president of the University of Maine.

  • Rukshan Fernando, Ph.D.

    Interim Provost

    Fernando provides strategic leadership as the university’s interim chief academic officer. Prior to this role, Fernando was interim dean of the APU School of Business and Management and associate dean and professor in the APU School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences, along with faculty and other administrative roles at APU and Taylor University.

  • Ross Allen

    Chief Financial Officer, Vice President for Finance and Business

    Prior to joining APU as chief financial officer, Allen worked in the U.S. and Europe for 25 years at a large, multinational medtech company where he served as CFO of multiple divisions as large as $3 billion. He also previously served as a member of APU’s Board of Trustees for four years.

  • Andrew Barton, Ed.D.

    Senior Advisor to the President and Chief of Staff

    In his role, Barton provides direct support to the university president through execution of a broad range of strategic, university-wide initiatives. He also serves as the primary interface between the administration and the Board of Trustees. Barton previously served in university and human services organizations both in the U.S. and England.

  • Don Davis, Ed.D.

    Vice President for Administration,
    Chief Information Officer

    Davis oversees the teams that provide leadership for the digital and physical infrastructure of APU. Prior to this role, Davis held various leadership roles in educational and religious nonprofit organizations.

  • Keith E. Hall, Ed.D.

    Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer

    Hall provides strategic leadership and partnership to advance diversity and inclusion efforts aimed at cultivating a university climate that promotes engagement and belonging for the diverse demography of faculty, staff, and students at APU. Prior to this role, Hall served in a number of roles at both public and private higher education institutions in Tennessee and California.

  • Corbin Hoornbeek

    Vice President for University Advancement

    Hoornbeek provides leadership for the university’s fundraising activities and programs. He has served in fundraising leadership roles in Christian higher education and in world missions organizations for more than 25 years.

  • Chris Jennings, JD

    General Counsel

    Jennings supports the university’s mission by representing and advising the board and administration on a broad range of legal matters.  Prior to joining APU in 2011, Jennings spent nearly a decade in private practice, litigating on behalf of major multinational corporations in a wide variety of industries. He also teaches constitutional law in APU’s prelaw program.

  • Paola Martinez

    Vice President for Human Resources

    In her role, Martinez promotes a Christ-centered work environment. Prior to joining APU, Paola spent 20 years in national and regional human resource leadership in employee relations, performance management, organizational design, and change management initiatives.

  • David Peck, Ph.D.

    Vice President for University Relations

    Peck provides vision and leadership for promoting and protecting APU through marketing, advertising, public relations, and storytelling. With degrees in business and psychology, he brings expertise in how these areas inform our decisions, relationships, and communication. Prior to APU, he worked in marketing and distribution with Disney, United Artists, and IJL Creations.

  • Heather Petridis, Ph.D.

    Vice President for Enrollment Management, Chief Enrollment Officer

    With more than 25 years of experience spanning both private and for-profit education, Heather provides strategic leadership and direction for the division of enrollment management. She teaches in doctoral-level higher education leadership programs and was the founding vice president for the offices of Military and Veteran Services and Graduate Student Affairs at Azusa Pacific.

  • Gary Pine, MBA

    Director of Athletics

    Pine oversees APU’s 19-sport, nationally-recognized athletics program that competes in NCAA Division II and the Pacific West Conference, and provides leadership on several NCAA and PacWest committees. Prior to returning to APU, his alma mater, more than 25 years ago, Pine served at USC and the Big West Conference.

  • Shino Simons, Ph.D.

    Vice President for Student Affairs

    Simons provides strategic leadership and vision to all co-curricular and extracurricular efforts contributing to the holistic development of all students, particularly in the areas of spiritual formation, student engagement, and student wellness. Her two decades of increasing leadership experience includes positions in residence life, judicial affairs, and Title IX, among other various roles and responsibilities.