WAU Welcomes Graduate School Dean, New Faculty, and Staff
Takoma Park, MD. (August 14, 2018)—Washington Adventist University is pleased to announce the appointment of a new dean for the School of Graduate and Professional Studies (SGPS). Brenda Chase moves over to this key academic leadership role at an exciting time for WAU’s graduate and professional studies programs. For the past two years, she has served in the university’s Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness as the Assessment Coordinator for Education.
She brings with her over 25 years of progressively responsible leadership, management, and administrative experience including serving in profit and non-profit organizations as CFO/VP of Finance and Administration, and VP of Operations. Ms. Chase has a deep passion for adult learning and has been an adjunct faculty member at Andrews University and Chattanooga State Community Technical College.
“Brenda Chase moves into this key academic leadership role at an exciting time for WAU’s graduate and professional studies programs,” said Provost Dr. Cheryl Kisunzu. “She will energize our accredited, accelerated, and affordable adult learning programs serving professionals in and around our Nation’s Capital and the world.”
Chase anticipates graduating with a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Administration (with a concentration on higher education) from Andrews University later this year. She holds an MBA in Finance from American University and is a proud alumna of Columbia Union College, now Washington Adventist University.
Also joining the WAU faculty is Dr. Olivier Nsengiyumva. Our new assistant professor of chemistry in the Department of Biology/Chemistry, Dr. Nsengiyumva, who this summer earned his Doctorate in Organic and Polymer Chemistry from the University of Florida.
And Karla Rivera joins Washington Adventist University full-time as the Executive Assistant to the Provost. A graduate of WAU’s music program, Ms. Rivera also holds a Master’s Degree from The University of Maryland in Music Performance with an emphasis in Voice. Her music career has taken her all over the world with WAU choirs and orchestra, and as a soloist. She is happy to be back ‘home’ and excited to give back to her alma mater.
Washington Adventist University is Montgomery County’s only four-year private college. Part of the Seventh-day Adventist system of higher education, Washington Adventist University has been educating college students since 1904 on a 19-acre campus in suburban Takoma Park, close to the nation’s capital. Approximately 1,100 students of all faiths participate in the university’s eight graduate and 42 undergraduate programs. The 2018 edition of U.S. News & World Report ranked Washington Adventist University among the best regional colleges in the north.
Media Contact:
Doug Walker, 301-891-4134, dkwalker@wau.edu