WAU Board of Trustees Appoints Dr. Cheryl Harris Kisunzu as Interim President
Written by: Everett Wiles
TAKOMA PARK, Md. — Washington Adventist University (WAU) has announced the appointment of Dr. Cheryl Harris Kisunzu, Ph.D., MSN, NP, RN, as interim president following a unanimous vote by the university’s Board of Trustees. Her appointment became effective July 1, 2026, ushering in a new chapter of leadership for the institution.
Dr. Kisunzu assumes the role after serving as WAU’s provost since 2013, where she has provided strategic leadership for the university’s academic programs, accreditation initiatives and institutional planning. Her extensive experience in higher education positions her to guide the university as it continues to strengthen its mission of preparing students for lives of service, leadership and academic excellence.
Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Kisunzu has held senior leadership responsibilities spanning academic affairs, institutional and program accreditation, human resources, diversity initiatives, nursing education and organizational development. Her collaborative leadership style and commitment to student success have made her a respected leader within the university community.
Dr. Kisunzu earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership from Andrews University, where her doctoral research examined anchoring and sustaining distinctive organizational change in higher education through the Malcolm Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence. She also holds a Master of Science in Nursing from Rush University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, with honors, from Andrews University. In addition, she is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner.
As interim president, Dr. Kisunzu brings a leadership philosophy grounded in both academic excellence and Christian service. She has long embraced the biblical principle of striving “ever upward,” inspired by Philippians 3:13-14, and is committed to advancing the university’s mission of educating students to become compassionate professionals and servant leaders.
The Washington Adventist University community welcomes Dr. Kisunzu into her new role and looks forward to her leadership during this important season in the institution’s history. As she begins her tenure as interim president, the university invites alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends to support her through their encouragement and prayers as she leads WAU “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14).