Oakwood Alumna Named New PUC President

Dr. Heather Joy Knight, Provost of Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, has been selected by the Pacific Union College Board of Trustees as the next President of Pacific Union College.  Dr. Knight received her bachelor’s degree in English from Oakwood University, her master’s degree in English from Loma Linda University, and her Ph.D. degree in English from Stanford University.  She has also completed postdoctoral studies at Harvard University in the area of Management and Leadership in Education.  An accomplished academic administrator, Dr. Knight served with distinction for 18 years at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, where she was Professor of English for 9 years and Assistant Provost then Associate Provost for an additional 9 years.  At Andrews University, Dr. Knight served as second officer of the university functioning as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Academic Officer managing the day-to-day operations of the university, as well as providing exemplary administrative and academic leadership.

While at Andrews University, Dr. Knight provided visionary leadership in the development of a new Strategic Plan and Strategic Implementation Plan, integrated budget and planning priorities, increased enrollment and student selectivity, and significantly strengthened leadership in all areas of campus life by cultivating a shared sense of vision, direction and commitment among university leaders.  Furthermore, she has overseen the development of a new Program Review process, a new Discipline-Specific Compensation Plan for faculty, a new merit-based Graduate Scholarship and a Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, while overseeing a number of facilities improvements and new construction projects on campus.  She most recently led Andrews University through a successful reaccreditation process which has resulted in a 10-year reaccreditation recommendation from the North Central Association.

"It is a tremendous privilege and blessing to be invited to serve as the next President of Pacific Union College.  Pacific Union College has a very distinguished history, and I am honored to have this opportunity to carry on the proud PUC tradition of ensuring academic excellence and spiritual authenticity.  I look forward to working collaboratively with the PUC Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students and alumni to help move PUC to the next level of excellence for this distinctive institution."

Additionally, Dr. Knight, a lover of the arts, is the mother of college-educated children and the wife of Dr. Norman Knight, Senior Pastor of the Berean Seventh-day Adventist Church in South Bend, Indiana, as well as Adjunct Professor of Homiletics at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary.  The Knights both truly have a passion for ministry and higher education, and look forward to getting to know the entire Angwin, St. Helena, and Napa Valley communities and enjoying positive town-grown relationships.