Leslie N. Pollard will be assistant to the president for pastoral continuing education and mission.
Published on: 10-23-2024
On October 21, the Oakwood University Board of Trustees announced that Leslie N. Pollard has accepted a new position with the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s North America Division (NAD).
In a statement, Oakwood University shared that Pollard has accepted a new opportunity to join the NAD as assistant to the president for pastoral continuing education and mission. He will assume this role on July 1, 2025, continuing to serve as president of Oakwood University through the remainder of the 2024-2025 school year.
Oakwood University is a private, historically Black (HBCU) Seventh-day Adventist institution of higher learning that provides high-quality Christian education. It is the only HBCU owned and operated by the Adventist Church.
In his new role, Pollard will supervise and coordinate the division’s engagement with continuing education for clergy and second-career ministerial professionals. The position itself is new to the NAD and part of a collaboration with the General Conference, which will provide funding for three years. The position is geared toward helping to foster a comprehensive alignment with theological training and continued learning.
“Dr. Pollard brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our division family,” NAD president G. Alexander Bryant said. “He will assist in our ongoing journey with the continuing education and development of our pastors in a comprehensive manner. His unusual background in higher education and pastoral ministry uniquely qualifies him for this assignment. We are excited to welcome him to this team.”
In the published statement, the Oakwood University board extended its “profound gratitude” to Pollard for his nearly 15 years of dedicated service as their president. “During his tenure, Oakwood University achieved many milestones and significant achievements that the Oakwood family will celebrate later in the school year. His leadership was instrumental in guiding the institution through the pandemic, launching innovative graduate programs, pioneering research on the spiritual life of young adults, strengthening community ties, securing unprecedented financial grants, and broadening our representation in state and national educational associations,” the statement read.
“Dr. Pollard has dedicated his life to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, first as a pastor and then in higher education; his experience will benefit countless others as he takes on this new challenge,” Bryant, chair of the university’s board, said in the Oakwood statement.
Oakwood’s board of trustees will appoint a search committee and share updates as it begins to identify prospective candidates for the role of Oakwood University president, working with Pollard and the university’s administration to ensure a seamless leadership transition to the next president.
About Oakwood University
Founded in 1896 in Huntsville, Alabama, United States, to educate the recently freed African-Americans of the South, Oakwood University’s mission is to transform students through biblically based education for service to God and humanity.
The original version of this story was posted on the North American Division news site.
North American Division Office of Communication, and Adventist Review
To bind together the Adventist people as we wait for Jesus to come back, by sharing news and information about the church plus articles on doctrine, spiritual growth and mission.
