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
deirdre.benwell@wallawalla.edu
(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@wallawalla.edu
Executive assistant to the vice president for academic administration
Cheri Wolcott
cheri.wolcott@wallawalla.edu
(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@wallawalla.edu
Executive assistant to the vice president for financial administration
Sharryl Toews
sharryl.toews@wallawalla.edu
(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

Doug Tilstra
Vice President
for student life
(509) 527-2511
doug.tilstra@wallawalla.edu
Executive assistant to the vice president for student life
Sharryl Toews
sharryl.toews@wallawalla.edu
(509) 527-2511
Fax: (509) 527-2674
Education
- BA Pacific Union College, 1979; Theology
- MDiv Andrews University, 1983
- PhD Capella University, 2007; Organization and Management, Leadership Specialization
Previous Experience
- Director of Outdoor Education and Leadership, Southern Adventist University, 2011–2017
- Professor, School of Education and Psychology, Southern Adventist University, 2011–2017
- Professor of church leadership, School of Religion, Southern Adventist University, 2000–2001
- Ministerial director, British Columbia Conference, 1997–2000
- Pastor, Penn Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1994–1997
- Church planter, Rocklin Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1990–1994
- Minister of evangelism and church growth, Carmichael Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1986–1990
- Pastor, Anniston/Gadsden/Pell City District, 1984–1986
- Minister of church growth and church planting, Birmingham Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1983–1984
- Seminary student and 12-month intern with Mark Finley in Chicago, 1980–1983
- Pastoral intern and Bible worker, Jackson Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1979–1980
Family
Doug and his wife, Lorraine, have three children: John (married to Lisa and living in the Netherlands), Stephen (a physical therapist in Chattanooga, Tenn.), and Elisabeth (a master’s student in British Columbia).

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
renee.unterseher@wallawalla.edu
(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
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.

Scott Ligman
Associate Vice President
for academic administration
(509) 527-2395
scott.ligman@wallawalla.edu
Academic Services Specialist
Lorri Bays
lorri.bays@wallawalla.edu
(509) 527-2395
Fax: (509) 527-2130
Education
PhD Oregon State University
Previous Experience
Professor of biology, department chairman
Family
Scott and his wife, Nancy, have a son: Ryan.

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
nicole.malik@wallawalla.edu
(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
Interim Associate Vice President
for financial administration
(509) 527-2401
eric.james@wallawalla.edu
Executive assistant to the associate vice president for financial administration
Sharryl Toews
sharryl.toews@wallawalla.edu
(509) 527-2402
Fax: (509) 527-2103

Trevor Congleton
Associate Vice President
for marketing and enrollment services
(509) 527-2256
trevor.congleton@wallawalla.edu
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@wallawalla.edu
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.
Assistant Vice President for Student Life
Dean of Students
(509) 527-2542