In Conversation with President Stephens

Pacific: You’ve defined this season at FPU as one of momentum. What do you mean by that?

Stephens: Momentum has a number of things involved. I’d start with the students. Their success is our success; their failure is our failure. As I talk to traditional undergrad students, grad students, degree completion students, there is a sense from them that there’s momentum at FPU.

Pacific: In what way?

Stephens: Students repeatedly mention campus improvements and spiritual emphasis. In the last three years we’ve put nearly $10 million into donor-funded campus improvements, from classrooms to the baseball stadium to the Special Events Center, where we now hold Chapel. On the spiritual side, we’ve brought back Chapel as a requirement for traditional undergrad students. We give out Bibles to every new undergrad student. We redesigned a class that every undergrad student has to take, Jesus and the Christian Community. Students tell me the campus just feels different.

Pacific: Any other areas where you feel like FPU is experiencing momentum?

Stephens: Oh, so many. Going back to the donor-funded campus improvements, that happened because of momentum on the fundraising side. People are giving. We’re also seeing some really exciting momentum with enrollment numbers. Right now, we’re looking at over 2,200 applicants for fall 2026. That’s the highest number of applications the university has ever received on the traditional undergrad side. So, we have momentum in student experience, momentum in fundraising, momentum in interest and one of the things I’m most grateful for, spiritual momentum. 

Pacific: Momentum denotes movement. What direction do you hope to see FPU moving in the future?

Stephens: I’ve said early on that we have to build the conditions for our future success. Our present circumstances don’t dictate our future aspirations or our dreams. We have to deal with the present, but we also need to be dreaming and have imagination and vision for the future. It goes to the Proverb: without vision, the people perish. We have to have a vision for the future that’s different from the present. 

So, when it comes to where I’d like to see FPU moving, I can think of a couple things in no particular order. First, we have to develop new programs that meet the needs of our students and our community. Secondly, I’d say continued growth of our students and their spiritual lives. Our education here is unique in that we believe in the development of the whole person. Education isn’t just for vocation, but also for the transformation of the student for the common good of society.

Pacific: And those two goals work together.

Stephens: Very much so. We want to prepare students to take those principles and virtues they learn here, as well as their education, and go out into the community for the common good. And actually, along with the new programs and spiritual development, I’d also like to see movement in campus facilities.

Pacific: Like new buildings?

Stephens: Well, we have an aging campus. We have some buildings that are near end of life. We’re in the process of thinking through what the campus needs to look like in the future. New programs will inevitably need new and renovated spaces.

Pacific: You’ve said that since this is your fourth year at FPU, it’s also your senior year.

Stephens: That’s right! I’m a senior now.

Pacific: If senior year President Stephens could go back to freshman year President Stephens, what advice would you give?

Stephens: It’ll be okay. (Pauses) Just stay the course, and it will be okay.

Pacific: Do you think freshman year President Stephens would want a little more information?

Stephens: (Laughs) Definitely. Probably the biggest question the freshman version of me would have had would be about people. This is not a solo endeavor. Even though there’s one person in the presidency, it takes a team to do this work. I quickly learned about the great people we have at FPU. We have a great board, great staff and faculty and an amazing leadership team. 

Pacific: Looking back over your four years at FPU, are there any moments that really stand out. 

Stephens: One moment that happened early on was just between me and God. It was just a few months after I became president. I was driving home one night and praying to God about a lot of the challenges FPU was facing. It felt pretty overwhelming. I still believe God speaks to us, sometimes more clearly than others. I felt very clearly like God just said, “Well, you’re the president and you have agency.” It was like a switch got flipped. I realized right then; I can do something. It was exactly what I needed to hear in that specific moment.

Pacific: How did that change things going forward?

Stephens: I had hope things would get better. There’s something called the Stockdale Paradox, named after Admiral James Stockdale who was a prisoner of war during Vietnam. He said the people who survived had hope. Those who lost hope didn’t survive. It’s not about minimizing or dismissing the difficulties, but having deep hope that things will be better than they are now. There are still challenges we’re facing, but we also see things are moving up. We have such great people working at FPU. Everyone is doing their part to make this a place where students can come not just to be educated, but to be transformed for their benefit and for the benefit of their communities. So not only are there good things happening now, but I believe we’ll continue to see even more good things into the future.

Pacific: So you think more momentum is on the way?

Stephens: Absolutely. We didn’t plant this garden, but it’s our job to tend to it. We stand in the shade of trees we did not plant. Someone plants, another waters and another harvests. When you plant a tree, you don’t get fruit right away. It takes time. We’ve tended to the garden hoping for the fruit that I believe we are just now beginning to see.

I think part of what is happening right now is preparation for a time of harvest in the future, I really do. This is why we’re working so hard to get things in order; our systems, our processes, our amazing team, it all needs to be ready. I think God has already started to pour out plenty. He’s a God of abundance, and He can take little and make much of it. This is His institution, and we’re just stewards of it. Yes, there are still days and times of discouragement. Certainly, we want things to move faster, but I’m very confident that God is at work.

Pacific: What gives you the most hope when you think about the future of Fresno Pacific?

Stephens: Well, the students for sure. They’re just amazing. As I interact with the students, I’m hopeful for the future because they still care. They care about our world, they care about each other, they care about making a difference.

Pacific: Okay, now it’s time for the ten-question speed round. This is where you answer a two-option question as quickly as you can.

Stephens: Short answers?

Pacific: Yes.

Stephens: Okay, I’m ready.

Pacific: Coffee or tea?

Stephens: Tea. I drink both, but tea is my favorite.

Pacific: Morning bird or night owl?

Stephens: Morning.

Pacific: Text or phone call?

Stephens: Oh man! Well, it depends. That one really depends. I’ll say both.

Pacific: Mountains or beach?

Stephens: That’s a hard one, but I got to say beach. Living in Southern California I went to Seal Beach at least once a month.

Pacific: Music or podcasts?

Stephens: That’s another hard one! I do both, I really do both. I guess I’d say podcasts.

Pacific: Favorite color?

Stephens: Yellow.

Pacific: Favorite food?

Stephens: Favorite comfort food is a burger. Otherwise, it’s rice with anything. Chicken and rice, steak and rice.

Pacific: Favorite Bible verse?

Stephens: Oh, I have so many. That’s really tough to pick one.

Pacific: Okay, how about just one favorite verse?

Stephens: One favorite? Okay, I can do that. One that’s been meaningful to me is Isaiah 41:13. Oh, and another one that’s really meaningful is Acts 17:26–28.

Pacific: Favorite place on campus? 

Stephens: The Black Box Theater in the Warkentine Culture and Arts Center. I love doing events in that space.

Pacific: One word you would use to describe FPU?

Stephens: Flourishing.