Welcome to Fresno Pacific University!
As president of Fresno Pacific University, André Stephens, Ph.D., brings over 30 years of dedicated service to Christian higher education in California, guided by a steadfast belief: “Students’ success is our success.”
Since beginning his tenure in July 2022, Dr. Stephens has led a collaborative, university-wide effort to enhance the student experience by streamlining policies, processes and procedures across all programs and campuses—traditional undergraduate, bachelor’s degree completion, graduate and seminary. His leadership has already contributed to gains in enrollment and retention in key areas.
Dr. Stephens approaches the challenges facing higher education—such as shifting demographics and public skepticism—with both resolve and vision. He is equally attuned to the unique needs of California’s Central Valley, where economic barriers and historically low graduation rates call for bold and compassionate leadership.
A first-generation college graduate himself, Stephens earned his B.A. in Communication (Public Relations) from Biola University, his M.A. in Speech Communication (Intercultural/Interpersonal) from California State University, Fullerton, and his Ph.D. in Education (Higher Education Administration/Student Affairs) from Claremont Graduate University.
President Stephens and First Lady Beth Stephens, a fellow Biola graduate and former teacher, have three adult children.
Since assuming the presidency on July 1, 2022, Stephens has led administration, faculty and staff in a university-wide effort to improve policies, processes and procedures across all student populations—traditional undergraduate, bachelor’s degree completion, graduate and seminary—and all campuses to smooth the pathway for students to achieve their educational dreams.
In his planning, Stephens has embraced the challenges and opportunities higher education faces nationally—fewer traditional college-age students and doubt about the importance or public benefit of higher education—and in FPU’s home, California’s Central Valley—deep-seated economic issues and low college graduation rates. Initiatives begun under his leadership have already resulted in increased enrollment in certain areas and retention.
President André Stephens and First Lady Beth Stephens
Stephens completed his B.A. in Communication with a public relations emphasis from Biola, his M.A. in Speech Communication with an emphasis in intercultural/interpersonal communication from California State University at Fullerton and his Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis in higher education administration/student affairs from Claremont Graduate University.
President Stephens and First Lady Beth Stephens, a fellow Biola graduate and former teacher, have three adult children.
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