Darren Wilkins, vice president for student life at Walla Walla University, has announced his resignation, effective at the end of the academic year. Wilkins will transition to leading Solejourn—his rapidly growing international tour company—as its founder and chief executive officer.
“Darren has fulfilled his commitment as a vice president with grace and distinction,” says Walla Walla University President Alex Bryan. “I have appreciated his love for God and for young people, and his desire to bring the two together. His commitment to Seventh-day Adventist higher education is inspiring, and we are thankful for his faithful service.”
During his tenure, Wilkins oversaw housing, spiritual and social programs, student missions, athletics, and campus security. A key advocate for many initiatives, he played a central role in developing the university’s $23 million Student Life and Ministry Center, working with students to create mission-focused spaces designed for generations to come.
Wilkins is known for sparking healthy engagement and expanding supportive services. He regularly participates in ASWWU Outdoors excursions and launched the university’s “Sacred Mountains” program—leading climbs and educational tours, including Mount Olympus and Greece in 2024, and a planned Mount Ararat and Turkey tour in 2026. He also secured student discounts at Ski Bluewood, and this year championed a new electronic-vehicle car-share program, bringing affordable, sustainable transportation to campus.
Under his leadership, WWU Athletics earned consecutive NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star Awards at the gold level and more than doubled in size, adding men’s volleyball and women’s soccer. Intramural participation also grew, and last year Wilkins revitalized the university’s CommUnity program, strengthening campus-wide gatherings centered on faith and discovery.
Inspired by his experience as both a WWU student and parent, Wilkins has made gathering a central theme for his work. He and his wife, Yvette, are known for welcoming students into their home for Sunday brunch, and Wilkens rarely misses a university event. “I attribute my faith today to being under the influence of smart and personable scholars with deep faith, like Ernie Bursey or Alden Thompson,” he recalls. “As a student, that made an impression—I wanted to be around them, and figure out how to have that, too.”
“Then as a parent visiting my sons here, I was deeply moved by the caliber of young adults in their social circles. Now, as vice president for student life, it has been a huge privilege to work with young people of this caliber, to feel like I have something to offer them. It has felt like a capstone to a long love affair with Walla Walla University. This is a wonderful place, and I never want to be disconnected from it. I would love to continue to be a contributor.”
President Bryan welcomes the ongoing connection. “I am pleased that Darren will continue to act as an ambassador for Walla Walla University. We have already discussed projects for which we anticipate his creative energy in the months and years ahead. Our enrollment has now grown three consecutive years, and opportunities for student life abound. We look forward to a careful search process to find our next vice president for student life for this cherished, faith-focused place.”
Posted Dec. 4, 2025
