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@wallawalla.edu
Executive assistant to the president
Deirdre Benwell
(509) 527-2121 | Fax: (509) 527-2103 | deirdre.benwell@wallawalla.edu
Education: Ph.D. University of Sheffield, 1995; M.Div. Andrews University, 1993; B.A. Southern Adventist University, 1980
Previous Experience: Seminary dean, Andrews University, 2000-2006; Associate dean and professor of New Testament, Andrews University, 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.
Pamela Cress
Vice President for academic administration
(509) 527-2431 | pam.cress@wallawalla.edu
Executive assistant to the vice president for academic administration
Cheri Wolcott
(509) 527-2431 | Fax: (509) 527-2103 | cheri.wolcott@wallawalla.edu
Education: Ph.D. Andrews University, 2004; M.S.W. Walla Walla College, 1994; B.S.W. Walla Walla College, 1990
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@wallawalla.edu
Executive assistant to the vice president for financial administration
Sharryl Toews
(509) 527-2402 | Fax: (509) 527-2130 | sharryl.toews@wallawalla.edu
Education: Ph.D. Business Administration; M.B.A. Accounting & Finance Specialization; MAPTH Leadership & Administration Specialization; B.S. Applied Accounting
Experience: Assistant Professor of Accounting and Finance, Walla Walla University, 2021-2022; Vice President of Financial Administration, University of the Southern Caribbean, 2015-2021; Chief Accountant, University of the Southern Caribbean, 2015; Internal Auditor, University of the Southern Caribbean, 2014-2015; Accountant, University of the Southern Caribbean, 2010-2013; Junior Accountant, University of the Southern Caribbean, 2009-2010; Accounts Manager, University of the Southern Caribbean, 2008
Darren Wilkins
Vice President for student life
(509) 527-2511 | darren.wilkins@wallawalla.edu
Executive assistant to the vice president for student life
Sharryl Toews
(509) 527-2511 | Fax: (509) 527-2674 | sharryl.toews@wallawalla.edu
Education: M.A. La Sierra University, Curriculum and Instruction, Emphasis in Ancient Languages, 2004; B.S. Walla Walla University, 1994; Montana State University, State High School Principal Endorsement, 2008
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@wallawalla.edu
Administrative assistant to the vice president for university relations and advancement
Renee Unterseher
(509) 527-2772 | Fax: (509) 527-2397 | renee.unterseher@wallawalla.edu
Education: B.A. in Mass Communication with emphasis in Journalism with miniors in Business and English, Walla Walla University, 1992
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@wallawalla.edu
Education: Th.M. Fuller Theological Seminary, 1995; Th.D. Andrews University, 1981; M.Div. Andrews University, 1975; M.A. Andrews University, 1973; B.Th. West Indies College, 1970; L.T.C.L. Trinity College of Music, 1970; L.R.S.M. Royal Schools of Music, 1970; A.T.C.L. Trinity College of Music, 1969
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.
Albert Handal
Campus Chaplain
(509) 527-2010 | albert.handal@wallawalla.edu
Education: D.Min. Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary; M.Div. Andrews University; B.A. Southern Adventist University
Previous Experience: Pastor for College and Young Adults, Southwestern Adventist University - Keene, TX 2015-2017; Senior Pastor, Austin Stonehill Church - Austin, TX 2011-2015; Pastor for Youth and Young Adults, Calhoun Adventist Church - Calhoun, GA 2006-2011
Family: Albert and his wife, Allison, have three children: Edward, Rosa, and Dalia
Howard Munson
Associate Vice President for academic administration
(509) 527-2395 | howard.munson@wallawalla.edu
Academic Services Specialist
Lorri Bays
(509) 527-2395 | Fax: (509) 527-2130 | lorri.bays@wallawalla.edu
Education: Ph.D. Washington State University; M.A. U.S. History from Portland State University; B.A., 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@wallawalla.edu
Administrative assistant to the associate vice president for graduate studies
Nicole Malik
(509) 527-2421 | Fax: (509) 527-2237 | nicole.malik@wallawalla.edu
Education: Ph.D. Mathematics, Indiana University, 2007; M.S. Computer Science, Indiana University 2001; M.A. Mathematics, Indiana University, 2001; B.S. Mathematics, Walla Walla College, 1997; BA Computer Science, German, Walla Walla College, 1997
Eric James
Associate Vice President for financial administration
(509) 527-2401 | eric.james@wallawalla.edu
Education:
B.S. Business Administration, with a concentration in Accounting, Walla Walla College; C.P.A. 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@wallawalla.edu
Education: M.S.W. Walla Walla University, 2007; B.S.W. Social Work with a minor in Religion, Walla Walla University, 2006
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@wallawalla.edu
Education: M.B.A. City University, 2004; Administrative certificate, NPUC in conjunction with Walla Walla University, 2008; B.S. in Business Administration, Walla Walla University, 1999; 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
(509) 527-2542 | brooklynn.armesto-larson@wallawalla.edu
Education: J.D. University of Oregon School of Law, 2020; B.A. 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.