Walla Walla University leadership team
Walla Walla University is led by the university president, the president’s Cabinet, and the Board of Trustees. The president and vice presidents lead the day-to-day management and direction of the university, and the president receives this authority from the university Board of Trustees.
Three times a year, the president and vice presidents meet with the Board of Trustees to advise that governing body regarding university matters. The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall government and welfare of the university, including matters regarding faculty, staff, students, and alumni. The board is also responsible for selecting the university president, determining the major goals of the university, and approving university budgets.
As a Seventh-day Adventist university, members of the Board of Trustees include regional leaders of the Adventist church as well as church members elected to terms of service on the board.
John K. McVay has led the university as president since 2006.
President’s Cabinet
John McVay
President
(509) 527-2121
john.mcvay@brpinfo.com
Executive assistant to the president
Deirdre Benwell
deirdre.benwell@brpinfo.com
(509) 527-2121
Fax: (509) 527-2103
Education
- BA Southern Adventist University, 1980; Theology
- MDiv Andrews University, 1983
- PhD University of Sheffield, 1995
Previous Experience
- Seminary dean, Andrews University Theological Seminary, 2000–2006
- Associate dean and professor of New Testament, Andrews University Theological Seminary, 1998–2000
- Assistant and associate professor of religion, Pacific Union College, 1985–1998
- Pastor, Iowa and Georgia, 1977–1978, 1982–1985
Family
John and his wife, Pam, have two children: Marshall and Macy.
Other
Pamela Cress
Vice President
for academic administration
(509) 527-2431
pam.cress@brpinfo.com
Executive assistant to the vice president for academic administration
Cheri Wolcott
cheri.wolcott@brpinfo.com
(509) 527-2431
Fax: (509) 527-2103
Education
- BSW Walla Walla College
- MSW Walla Walla University
- PhD Andrews University
Previous Experience
- Dean of the School of Social Work and Sociology
- Professor of social work
Prakash Ramoutar
Vice President
for financial administration
(509) 527-2402
prakash.ramoutar@brpinfo.com
Executive assistant to the vice president for financial administration
Sharryl Toews
sharryl.toews@brpinfo.com
(509) 527-2402
Fax: (509) 527-2130
Academic Qualifications
- PhD - Business Administration
- MBA - Accounting & Finance Specialization
- MAPTH - Leadership & Administration Specialization
- BS - Applied Accounting
Professional Qualifications
- FCCA - Certified Chartered Accountant
- CIA - Certified Internal Auditor
- CFE - Certified Fraud Examiner
- Certificate in Anti-Money Laundering & Financial Crimes
Experience
- Over the last 15 years, served in various corporate positions including Junior Accountant, Accountant, Internal Auditor, Accounts Manager, Chief Accountant, and Vice President of Financial Administration.
- Over the last 9 years, held academic roles as e-Tutor, Second Examiner, Course Coordinator, Lecturer, and Assistant Professor at various institutions of higher learning including the University of the West Indies Open Campus, University of the Southern Caribbean, the School of Higher Learning for Heriot-Watt University, and the Associate of Business Executives (UK).
Teaching Areas
- Intermediate Accounting, Auditing, Managerial Cost Accounting, Accounting Information Systems, Government & Not-for-Profit Accounting, Risk & Insurance, Business Analytics
Awards
- First Recipient of the University of the Southern Caribbean Special President's Award - Outstanding Contribution Toward the Development of Financial Administration, 2016-2021
- Outstanding Service Award - Financial Affairs, University of the Southern Caribbean, 2013
Memberships
- Fellow Chartered Certified Accountants (United Kingdom)
- Institute of Internal Auditors (USA)
- Association of Fraud Examiners (USA)
- Institute of Chartered Accountants (Trinidad and Tobago)
Research Interests
- Budgetary Control
- Working Capital Management
- Business Sustainability
- Performance Management
Hobbies
- Cricket, traveling, spending time with family
Darren Wilkins
Vice President
for student life
(509) 527-2511
darren.wilkins@brpinfo.com
Executive assistant to the vice president for student life
Sharryl Toews
sharryl.toews@brpinfo.com
(509) 527-2511
Fax: (509) 527-2674
Education
- Montana State University, 2008; State High School Principal Endorsement
- MA La Sierra University, 2004; Curriculum and Instruction, Emphasis in Ancient Languages
- BS Walla Walla University, 1994; French, Minors-Mathematics, History
Previous Experience
- Principal, Spring Valley Academy, 2013–June 2023
- Principal, Mt. Ellis Academy, 2002-2013
- Teacher, Loma Linda Academy High School, 2001-2002
- Teacher/Vice-Principal, Loma Linda Academy Hr. High School, 1994-2001
Family
Darren and his wife, Yvette, have three sons.
Jodi Wagner
Vice President
for university relations and advancement
(509) 527-2772
jodi.wagner@brpinfo.com
Administrative assistant to the vice president for university relations and advancement
Renee Unterseher
renee.unterseher@brpinfo.com
(509) 527-2772
Fax: (509) 527-2397
Education
- BA Walla Walla University, 1992; Mass Communication with emphasis in Journalism
- Minors in Business and English
Previous Experience
- Director of Client Planning and Strategy Services, Coffey Communications, 1998–2008
- Client services representative, Coffey Communications, 1994–1998
- Copy editor, Coffey Communications, 1992–1994
Family
Jodi and her husband, Jeff, have three children: Katie, Jenna, and Nikolas.
Pedrito Maynard-Reid
Assistant to the President
for diversity
(509) 527-2028
pedrito.maynard-reid@brpinfo.com
Education
- ATCL Trinity College of Music, 1969
- LTCL Trinity College of Music, 1970
- LRSM Royal Schools of Music, 1970
- BTh West Indies College, 1970
- MA Andrews University, 1973
- MDiv Andrews University, 1975
- ThD Andrews University, 1981
- MTh Fuller Theological Seminary, 1995
Previous Experience
- Vice president for spiritual life and mission and professor of biblical studies and missiology, Walla Walla University
- Professor of biblical studies and missiology, Walla Walla University
- Professor of music and religious studies, Northern Caribbean University
- Professor of theology, Antillean University
Family
Pedrito and his wife, Violet, have two children: Pedrito II and Natasha.
Howard Munson
Associate Vice President
for academic administration
(509) 527-2395
howard.munson@brpinfo.com
Academic Services Specialist
Lorri Bays
lorri.bays@brpinfo.com
(509) 527-2395
Fax: (509) 527-2130
Education
PhD Washington State University
- MA, U.S. History from Portland State University
- BA, Summa Cum Laude, Major-U.S. History, Minor-Biblical Archaeology Honors Program, Walla Walla College
Previous Experience
Professor and Department Chair: Pacific Union College July 2018-June 2023
- Associate Professor: Pacific Union College July 2015-July 2018
- Assistant Professor: Pacific Union College July 2012-July 2015
- Instructor: Washington State University Summer 2010,2011,2012
- Teaching Assistant: Washington State University Spring 2008-2012
- Instructor: Pacific Union College Summer 2006-Summer 2007
- Instructor: Walla Walla College Spring 2003-Spring 2006
- Graduate Assistant: Portland State University Fall 2002-Spring 2003
Family
Howard and his wife, Brenda, have two sons.
Jonathan Duncan
Associate Vice President
for graduate studies
(509) 527-2421
jonathan.duncan@brpinfo.com
Administrative assistant to the associate vice president for graduate studies
Nicole Malik
nicole.malik@brpinfo.com
(509) 527-2421
Fax: (509) 527-2237
Education
- PhD Indiana University, 2007; Mathematics
- MS Indiana University 2001; Computer Science
- MA Indiana University, 2001; Mathematics
- BS Walla Walla College, 1997; Mathematics
- BA Walla Walla College, 1997; Computer Science, German
Research/Interests
Set theory, logic and foundations
Eric James
Associate Vice President
for financial administration
(509) 527-2401
eric.james@brpinfo.com
Education
- BS Walla Walla College; Business Administration, with a concentration in Accounting
- CPA
- Planned Giving & Trust Services certification
Previous Experience
- Staff Auditor, General Conference Auditing Service
- Senior Accountant and Director of Accounting, Walla Walla University
Family
Eric and his wife Kristelle have two children.
Trevor Congleton
Associate Vice President
for marketing and enrollment services
(509) 527-2256
trevor.congleton@brpinfo.com
Education
- MSW Walla Walla University, 2007
- BSW Walla Walla University, 2006; Social Work with a minor in Religion
Previous Experience
- Director for recruitment, Walla Walla University, 2010–2012
- Director for guest relations, Walla Walla University, 2008–2010
- School counselor, Walla Walla Valley Academy, 2007–2008
Troy Patzer
Associate Vice President
for alumni and advancement services
(509) 527-2586
troy.patzer@brpinfo.com
Education
- BS Walla Walla University, 1999; Business Administration
- MBA City University, 2004
- Administrative certificate, NPUC in conjunction with Walla Walla University, 2008
- Planned Giving & Trust Services certification
Previous Experience
- Trust officer, Upper Columbia Conference, 2012–2014
- Principal, Upper Columbia Academy, 2008–2012
- Vice president of student administration/accountant, Upper Columbia Academy, 2004–2008
- Treasurer/accountant, Upper Columbia Academy, 1999–2004
Family
Troy and his wife, Renée, have three daughters: Amélie, Elianne, and Lilia.
Brooklynn Armesto-Larson
Assistant Vice President for Student Life
Dean of Students
Education
- JD University of Oregon School of Law, 2020
- BA Walla Walla University, 2016
Previous Experience
- Judicial Clerk for Hon. Judge Debra Vogt, Lane County Circuit Court, 2020-2021
- Attorney, Criminal Law & Family Law, 2021-2023
Family
Brooklynn and her husband Manuel have one daughter.