Celebrating the Accomplishments of Cook School of Leadership Alumni

The Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs of the Cook School of Leadership have graduated many alumni who are currently serving as university presidents, deans, vice presidents, and more as leaders in higher education in the State of Texas. Most recently, Dr. Corbin Hoornbeek was appointed as the president of the University of Northwestern in Minnesota.

"It's been said many times to treat your students well because they may end up being your boss one day," said Dr. Jack Goodyear, Dean of the Cook School of Leadership. "Well, the number of graduates from our program that have gone on to become presidents or higher education administrators demonstrates the reality of that advice. Our motto for the Cook School of Leadership is 'Christian Scholars, Servant Leaders, Global Thinkers,' and to see that motto lived out in the lives of our graduates is so rewarding. We are immensely proud of our graduates who are serving in high capacities in higher education and other professions.

Below is a list of many of our DBU CSL doctoral alumni who are taking the Christ-centered learning they received on the Hill into other university halls around the state and country.

University Presidents

• Tony Celelli – President, Stark College and Seminary
• Corbin Hoornbeek  – President, University of Northwestern
• Abe Jaquez – President, Baptist University of the Americas
• Cory Hines – President, Howard Payne University
• Rick Melson – President and Professor of Leadership, Southwest Baptist University
• Adam Wright – President, Dallas Baptist University

Vice Presidents and University Administrators

• Philip Attebery – Dean/Registrar at Baptist Missionary Association Seminary
• Tempress Asagba – Dean of Students, Dallas Baptist University
• Vivian Bland – Advancement Campaign Coordinator, Hardin-Simmons University
• Pierre Cannings – Dean of Dallas Theological Seminary, Houston campus
• David Cook – Dean of Global Studies and Pre-Professional Programs, Dallas Baptist University
• LaChelle Cunningham – Director, College Access Programs, Southern Methodist University
• Susan DeWoody – former Provost, Oklahoma Baptist University
• John Eshun – Director, Post-Award, Dallas College
• Layna Evans – Assistant Vice President for Communications, Dallas Baptist University
• Blanton Feaster – Assistant Vice President for Graduate Affairs, Dallas Baptist University
• Blake Flickner – Head Basketball Coach, Dallas Baptist University
• Dan Gibson – Vice President for Graduate Affairs, Dallas Baptist University
• Heather Hadlock – Associate Vice President Alumni Engagement, Hardin-Simmons University
• MaryCatherine Harmon – Department Chair, Kinesiology, Dallas Baptist University
• Mark Hale – Assistant Provost, Director of Hybrid Education, Dallas Baptist University
• Jay Harley – Vice President for Student Affairs, Dallas Baptist University
• Jeremy Johnston – Vice President for Enrollment, East Texas Baptist University
• Tyler Knox – Director of Retention, Dallas Baptist University
• Kalie Lowrie – Assistant Vice President of Alumni Relations, Howard Payne University
• Nancy McGruder – Assistant Director, New Maverick Orientation & Transition Programs,
  University of Texas at Arlington
• Dale Meinecke – Vice President for Development, Howard Payne University
• David Murphy – Dean of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Colorado Christian University
• Matt Murrah – Vice President for Financial Affairs, Dallas Baptist University
• John Park – Doctor of Ministry Program Director at Central Seminary, Kansas
• Emily Prevost – Associate Provost for Institutional Effectiveness at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
• Tommy Sanders – Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, East Texas Baptist University
• Lisa Seeley – Director Great Commission Center at ETBU
• Brandon Skaggs – Vice President for Student Life, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
• Dawnetta Smith – Assistant Dean of Field Education, University of Texas at Arlington
• Khristy Strange – Director of Teacher Education, Department Chair, Southwestern Assemblies of God University