This article was originally published by Mennonite World Review

FPU selects president with international experience

FRESNO, Calif. — A candidate with administrative, fundraising and international experience has been chosen as the next President of Fresno Pacific University.

Joseph Jones
Jones

Joseph Jones has served as chief administrative academic officer, dean and full-time faculty member in Christian colleges and universities in the United States and Pakistan. He will begin work July 1, succeeding Richard Kriegbaum, who started his second term as president in September 2014 after serving from 1985 to 1997.

“Dr. Jones has a proven record as an educator, leader and administrator with a number of outstanding Christian colleges and universities,” said Donald Griffith, chair of the FPU board of trustees. “He brings with him a very clear vision of Christian higher education and a history of being an advocate for biblical justice, racial reconciliation, urban leadership training and intercultural learning.”

Jones comes to FPU from Forman Christian College in Lahore, Pakistan, where he has been vice rector (provost) since 2015. In addition to being chief academic officer, his responsibilities included marketing, communication and enrollment management. Forman offers programs from kindergarten through the doctorate level, with 6,347 students and 220 full-time faculty members.

Prior to Forman, Jones spent more than two decades at colleges and universities in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, whose members include FPU.

He was provost and professor of justice and community development from 2007 to 2014 at North Park University in Chicago. He was academic dean of the School of Education and Social Sciences from 2001 to 2007 at Messiah College in Grantham, Pa., where he once served on the board of trustees. He was a professor and department chair from 1995 to 2001 at Taylor University in Fort Wayne, Ind. He was associate dean of students and assistant professor of criminal justice, sociology and social work from 1992 to 1995 at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, N.Y.

In his career, Jones has advocated for biblical justice, racial reconciliation and diversity, and developed international partnerships in several countries around the world.

The FPU board of trustees began the search for a new president in September 2015, and Jones was interviewed Jan. 10-11.

FPU looks to Jones to nurture its Christian identity and commitment to distinctive education, expand fundraising and financial solidity, foster community and diversity, develop innovative academic programs and partnerships and expand facilities.

An ordained minister, Jones graduated with a doctorate in criminal justice with cognates in planned change and administration from the University at Albany. His master’s degree in psychology is from Oklahoma State University and his bachelor’s degree in psychology is from Colby College.

Jones also earned the Management and Leadership in Education Certificate from Harvard University’s Institute for Higher Education.

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