Administration

John Derry, PresidentJohn L. Derry became the sixth President of Hope International University on August 15, 2003. Dr. Derry comes to the university from a background of academic, campus and pastoral ministries.

A native of Illinois, John L. Derry is a 1972 graduate of Lincoln Christian College. While enrolled as a student at LCC, he served as senior minister with the Isabel Christian Church near Lewistown, Illinois and then with Vermont Christian Church in Vermont, Illinois. In 1978 he received a Master of Arts degree from Lincoln Christian Seminary in the area of theology and philosophy and was ordained to the ministry. more...

David Poole, Vice President of Institutional AdvancementDavid L. Poole was appointed Vice President for Institutional Advancement on February 20, 2004.

Mr. Poole has over twenty-five years experience in the business and education environment with significant experience in marketing and sales administration, operations, customer relationship management, as well as program development. He came to Hope from Chapman University where he served as Associate Dean for Graduate and Executive Programs for the Argyros School of Business and Economics. more...

Laure Close, Vice President of Business & FinanceLaure J. Close began working for the University in the Accounts Payable Clerk position in 1984. During 1989, she moved into the Business Office Manager position and subsequently filled the Bursar and Trustee of Finance roles.

Her areas of responsibility encompass operations, insurance, and human resources, in addition to financial management and reporting. Her training for these areas was primarily gained through experiential learning. Graduated from Cypress College in 1976 with an Associate of Arts degree, she also gained five years of experience in retail accounts receivable collections with Sears Roebuck & Co. more...

Steve Edgington, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dean of Pacific Christian CollegeSteven D. Edgington was appointed Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Pacific Christian College on February 20, 2004.

Dr. Edgington is a family man, a churchman, and an academician. He has been married for over twenty-five years to Teresa, an ESL teacher for the community college district. They have two daughters. They reside in Anaheim and have been active in Anaheim First Christian Church for twenty-five years. Steve has served the church in various capacities. Presently he is an adult teacher and an elder. more...

Mark Comeaux, Vice President Student Affairs Mark Comeaux was appointed Vice President of Student Affairs on April 1, 2005, and comes from Crossroads College in Rochester, MN where he was Vice President of Student Development, Professor of Physical Education & Sports Ministry and Athletic Director.

He has served on ten accrediting visits for the Association of Bible Higher Education with emphasis in Student Development. Professional memberships include Phi Delta Kappa professional fraternity in education, and The Association of Church Sports and Recreation Ministers. more...

Christopher A. Davis, Dean of School of Professional Studies Dr. Chris Davis was appointed Dean of the School of Professional Studies on November 1, 2005. He brought to this new position over 20 years of experience in higher education and ministry.

Dr. Davis is a graduate of Johnson Bible College in Knoxville, Tennessee (BA, BTh) and Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia (ThM, DMin, PhD). He has completed additional studies at Milligan College (Johnson City, Tennessee), United Theological Seminary (Dayton, Ohio), and Jerusalem University College (Israel). more...

Alan Rabe, Dean of School of Graduate StudiesAlan Rabe has spent twenty-seven years teaching public and community health at four universities that include Central Michigan University, Illinois State University, Liberty University and Hope International University. He has three academic degrees in health science & education (BS--Western Illinois University, MS--University of Illinois at Champaign, Ph.D--University of Utah) and one degree from seminary (MRE--Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary). more...