News
Roberts Appoints Vice President for Student and Organizational Development
Roberts Wesleyan College is pleased to announce the appointment of Kristen Brown to vice president for student and organizational development, a role Brown began serving on an interim basis for the college and Northeastern Seminary in February 2021. She assumes her role effective immediately and will continue to directly oversee the areas of student life, human resources, spiritual formation, campus safety, diversity and equity, and Title IX, while continuing to lead the institution’s COVID-19 response efforts.
With more than 11 years of experience in higher education, Brown has served in various roles as a staff member, faculty member and administrator, including serving in multiple leadership capacities for both the college and seminary since 2017. After teaching in the areas of leadership and Christian mission at the seminary, she was named executive director of administration and then served the college as associate vice president for online education, overseeing the development and implementation of several new online course offerings for adult and undergraduate programs. In 2020, Brown was appointed to the role of associate dean and led the COVID-19 pandemic emergency response team, ensuring compliance with all state and federal mandates while maintaining an open campus and in-person experience for students and employees.
“Dr. Brown has effectively helped develop and execute initiatives at both the seminary and college and has a contagious enthusiasm for maximizing individual strengths, coordinating teams, and innovative problem-solving through difficult and complicated situations,” said Deana L. Porterfield, president of Roberts Wesleyan College and Northeastern Seminary. “She has not only demonstrated a remarkable aptitude for leadership during crises but has also earned the admiration and respect of her team and colleagues. We have all benefited from her ability to meet and overcome challenges with energy, efficiency and excellent communication skills, and I am excited to welcome Dr. Brown into her permanent role as vice president for student and organizational development.”
Prior to her work in higher education, she spent four years in full-time pastoral ministry and two years working with high school and college students in a retreat camp setting. Outside of the college, Brown is a consultant in the areas of strategic planning and assessment for churches and nonprofits and serves on the board of directors for Artisan Church.
She holds a B.A. in educational ministries from Taylor University and an M.Div. and Ph.D. in educational studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.