Brite Divinity School is thrilled to announce the appointment of Brite alumna, the Rev. Dr. Shonda R. Jones as the new Academic Dean and Executive Vice President, effective August 1, 2025. Dr. Jones, a visionary and strategic leader in higher education, returns to Brite with a deep commitment to shaping the future of theological education.
"Coming back to Brite as Academic Dean and Executive Vice President feels like a true homecoming, a journey full circle to the place that shaped my own theological path. It’s not just the buildings or the history, but the vibrant spirit of the Brite community – its dedicated faculty, passionate students, and its commitment to a just and diverse world – that I’m so incredibly excited to rejoin.” said Jones. She continued, “To imagine contributing to the future of my alma mater during such pivotal times for theological education fills me with joy and a deep sense of purpose."
Jones currently serves as the Assistant Dean of Academic Programs at Wake Forest University School of Professional Studies, where she spearheads the strategic and academic leadership for the school's comprehensive graduate degree and certificate portfolio. Dr. Jones's impactful tenure at Wake Forest began in the School of Divinity, where she served as Senior Associate Dean of Strategic Initiatives and Integrative Learning, and Assistant Teaching Professor in Intercultural Theological Education. As a visionary senior administrator, she focused on integrative student learning, fostering equity and belonging, and developing intercultural leadership capacities and competencies that rely on liberative frameworks necessary to navigate and lead effectively in diverse global contexts. Her pedagogical work with Master of Divinity students was deeply informed by intercultural theories and aimed at developing critical and practical competencies in future theological leaders. At the Divinity School at Wake Forest University, Dr. Jones developed academic programs and spearheaded innovative initiatives to explore new opportunities across a variety of degree programs and outward-facing offerings.
Prior to joining Wake Forest, Dr. Jones was an Associate Dean at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, where she provided leadership for student services offices, managed a significant operational and scholarship budget, and successfully attracted a diverse student body. Her career also includes positions at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University. An ordained Elder in The United Methodist Church, Horizon Texas Annual Conference, Dr. Jones's work is consistently informed by her faith and her commitment to fostering inclusive and thriving faith communities. She is co-editor of the book Transforming Service: Reflections of Student Services Professionals in Theological Education.
Jones earned a Bachelor of Arts from Texas Christian University, a Master of Divinity from Brite Divinity School, and a Doctor of Education in Higher Education (Educational Leadership, Policy, and Technology Studies) from the University of Alabama. Her scholarly interests include faith and health, the socio-racial dynamics influencing educational choice, and her focus broadly examines intercultural practices that promote thriving with and among leaders and communities. Her approach to addressing health disparities is explicitly framed through the theological lenses of hope, liberation, and social justice, emphasizing transformative action. She has done particularly meaningful work in building capacity of faith communities to address the HIV crisis especially within African American and LGBTQ+ populations.
“Dr. Jones brings a collaborative spirit, a strategic mind, and an enduring commitment to the mission and vision of Brite Divinity School.” said Brite President, the Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady. He continued, “She is the right person at the right time and I am honored to work alongside her.”
Dr. Jones will be moving to Fort Worth with her wife, Sylvia Jones over the summer and will begin her tenure at Brite on August 1. She succeeds the Rev. Dr. Michael St. A Miller, who is returning to teaching after serving in the role for more than six years. The announcement comes after a nationwide search that allowed students, faculty, staff, and other members of the Brite community opportunities to interact with candidates and provide feedback. Brite’s search committee was assisted by the nationally recognized, education-focused executive search firm Storbeck Search.