Leadership

Meet the University Lead Team & Board of Directors, a group of passionate and talented individuals dedicated to revolutionizing distance education through missional impact.

Meet the stewards of the university

WCIU’s President’s Cabinet for Missional Impact

  • Paul Cornelius, Ph.D.

    President, Ex Officio

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  • Linda P. Saunders, Ph.D.

    Provost

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  • Amy Boothe, Ph.D., M.S., B.S.

    Chief Financial Officer

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Working Accross the wciu

Senior Leaders Serving the University

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Chris Kraiss
Chris Kraiss

Chief Technology Officer at WCIU. Founder of ClearPath Technology, combining entrepreneurial experience with a mission-driven approach to systems and support.

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Erin Moriarty
Erin Moriarty

Fractional Chief People Officer at WCIU. Erin is a passionate leader in human resources who believes in bringing clarity to roles, expectations, and the systems that support people and mission.

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Jennifer Ilchishin
Jennifer Ilchishin

Deputy Chief of Advancement at WCIU. M.A.R., Reformed Theological Seminary; Ph.D. student at Fuller Theological Seminary. Development professional with 18 years of nonprofit and ministry experience.

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Updates from the President of WCIU

Office of the President

“We invite you to join us in this journey as we envision a ‘verdant and flourishing world, ripe with wholeness and peace for all peoples.’”

The President’s provides updates, reflections, and communications from Dr. Paul Cornelius. Check out recent blogs, announcements, and highlights from WCIU’s leadership. Through these updates, we aim to keep our community informed, inspired, and connected to the university’s mission. Stay engaged with how WCIU is growing and moving forward under thoughtful, mission-aligned leadership.

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Guiding WCIU’s Mission and Direction

University Governance Led by the Board of Directors

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Monica B. Mitchell, Board Chair
Monica B. Mitchell, Board Chair

Ed.D. in Mathematics Education, Columbia University. WCIU Board Chair and CEO of MERAssociates, with expertise in STEM education, governance, and mission mobilization.

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Bob Tickner, Board Treasurer
Bob Tickner, Board Treasurer
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Marcia Wang
Marcia Wang

M.Div., Trinity International University. Member of WCIU's Board of Directors. 29 years of nonprofit ministry leadership, specializing in consulting, process facilitation, and team development.

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Michelle L. K. Raven
Michelle L. K. Raven

Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies, CIU. Served for 22 years in the Air Force as a judge advocate and completed an MA in global studies at Liberty Univ. in 2012. She served as a missionary with Christar.

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Joshua Wathanga
Joshua Wathanga

D.B.A., United States International University-Africa, Joshua Wathanga brings decades of global leadership in strategy, governance, and economic development to the WCIU Board of Directors.

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Paul Cornelius
Paul Cornelius

Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies, Fuller Theological Seminary. President of WCIU with leadership experience in theological education, urban ministry, and intercultural engagement.

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José de Dios, Board Vice Chair
José de Dios, Board Vice Chair

Human Resources and Organizational Development Consultant with SIL Global, serving the Bible translation movement and advancing Church unity and generosity in mission.

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Jessica Udall, Board Secretary
Jessica Udall, Board Secretary

Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies, Columbia. Professor at Evangelical Theological College and CIU, Deputy Director at SIL Ethiopia, specializing in global migration and intercultural leadership.

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J. Paul Nyquist 
J. Paul Nyquist 

Th.M and Ph.D., Dallas Theological Seminary. Paul Nyquist brings over four decades of church, education, and mission leadership to the WCIU Board. 

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Todd Johnson
Todd Johnson

Ph.D. in Mission Studies and International Development, WCIU. Distinguished Professor at Gordon-Conwell, global Christianity researcher, and editor of key works on world Christianity and religious demography.

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Ravi I. Jayakaran
Ravi I. Jayakaran

President/CEO of Medical Ambassadors International and Lausanne Movement Catalyst for Integral Mission, with expertise in poverty reduction.

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Scott Holbrook
Scott Holbrook

M.B.A., SUNY Buffalo. Former President & CEO of Avant Ministries, CPA, long-time professor, and ministry board leader with extensive global missions leadership.

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Greg Parsons, Board Member Emeritus
Greg Parsons, Board Member Emeritus

Ph.D. in Religious Studies, University of Wales. Board and Corporate Secretary at WCIU with 40 years of leadership at Frontier Ventures and global missions engagement.

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News & Events

UPCOMING EVENTS
Latest Blog Posts
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Global Impact Forum Nairobi, Kenya
Nov 2
Global Impact Forum Nairobi, Kenya

The Global Impact Forum is an opportunity to share stories highlighting the myriad ways God is delivering hope and transformation through your lives and work. We plan to launch our Alumni Association and other initiatives designed to offer ongoing educational opportunities and support for our extended learning community.

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Ralph D. Winter Lectureship 2026
Feb 25
Ralph D. Winter Lectureship 2026

A sea change is happening in the world of mission education. For decades Christian universities and seminaries have offered degrees and certificates in mission studies.

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Global Impact Forum pasadena, California
Feb 25
Global Impact Forum pasadena, California

Join the WCIU Community in Pasadena to hear about impact our students at alumni are making in their communities. This will also be a time of celebration and honoring WCIU’s rich 50 year history.

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View all Upcoming Events

Featured
Building A New Future
Building A New Future

Zeeneta has experienced things in life that seem almost unimaginable, yet they are not unusual for people coming to faith in some parts of the world. Her mother was a Jesus-follower, but she married a man from different religion.

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For A Verdant And Flourishing World
For A Verdant And Flourishing World

Explore the heart behind William Carey International University’s vision for a flourishing world shaped by the transforming power of the Gospel.

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Pain To Purpose: Lives Transformed 
Pain To Purpose: Lives Transformed 

Rwanda knows what it means to rebuild while still carrying deep scars. In many communities, loss, poverty, illness, and social rejection still live quietly inside ordinary homes.

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Dr. Brian Fikkert to speak at Commencement
Dr. Brian Fikkert to speak at Commencement
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