President’s Cabinet
Role of President’s Cabinet at Simpson University
University administrators oversee student activities, university professors and programs. The cabinet makes decisions about the direction of the institution as a whole. Cabinet reviews and approves new policies, prepares the operational budget of the institution, reviews and approves new program development (both curricular and co-curricular), determines price increases, and is a conduit through which information can flow to and from each area of the campus.
President
Dr. Norman D. Hall
Dr. Hall became Simpson University’s 15th president in June 2018. Prior to coming to Simpson, Dr. Hall served as the Vice President for International and Alumni Affairs & Major Gift Officer at Greenville University (Ill.). He also was Vice President & Dean of Student Development at Greenville University. He served at Azusa Pacific University (Calif.); Ashland University (Ohio); University of California, Santa Barbara; and Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Dr. Hall received his doctorate in educational administration from Pepperdine University (Calif.), a master of science in education from Southern Illinois University, and bachelor’s degrees in biology and sociology from Greenville University.
Dr. Hall and his wife, Alison, who is from Northern Ireland, have three adult children.
Provost
John Ayabe
Dr. John Ayabe was named Provost in July 2023. He was formerly the university’s Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and oversaw all traditional undergraduate academic programs. He also briefly served as Acting Provost.
His key contributions at Simpson during his time as Dean, department chair, division chair, and faculty member include helping to launch a Winter Term, organizing and chairing the Student Research Symposium for over 10 years, managing the launch of the university’s STEM programs (CIS, Digital Media, and Engineering) and, facilitating the redesign of the 2023 General Education curriculum.
In addition to his administrative roles, Dr. Ayabe has 15 years of college-level teaching experience and was named Simpson University Faculty of the Year for 2014-2015. He holds a Ph.D. in American History from Saint Louis University, Master of Divinity and M.A. degrees in Church History from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and his B.A. from Wheaton College. His specialty is early nineteenth-century evangelicalism.
Chief Operating Officer
R. Walter Quirk
Mr. Quirk brings decades of business, fiscal management and leadership expertise, faculty experience, and more than ten years of experience as the faculty athletic representative to the position. As COO, Quirk will be responsible for Human Resources, Finance, Auxiliary Services, Facilities, Maintenance, Grounds and IT. He will also have overall responsibility for the areas of Marketing and Enrollment and Athletics.
Chief Financial Officer
Tim Dietz
Tim Dietz joined Simpson University in spring 2019 as chief financial officer. Tim studied accounting at Greenville University in Illinois, then received his MBA at Emporia State University in Kansas. He worked for State Farm Insurance and served in multiple leadership roles for more than 15 years, receiving multiple insurance and accounting licenses. He worked as CFO of Greenville University prior to coming to Simpson University and received two of the past three awards for best practices at the annual Central Association of College and University Business Officers Conference.
Vice President of Student Development
Brian Dawson
Dr. Brian Dawson and his wife, Michelle, are excited to join the Simpson University community as the Vice President of Student Development starting in May 2024. Brian and Michelle have been married for 30 years and their passion has been discipling college students in both public and Christian universities. Prior to coming to Simpson, Dr. Dawson founded Semester by the Sea, served as AVP and Dean of Students at Hardin-Simmons University, Associate Dean of Students at Pepperdine University, in student life at California State Universities, and full-time ministry with Alpha Gamma Omega.
As native Northern Californians, the Dawsons are thrilled to be coming back home. “College students thrive when they belong to an active college community who love them and provide opportunities to serve, worship, learn and play together,” said Dawson. “We are praying for Simpson students to grow in their walk with Jesus Christ and find belonging in a welcoming campus community.
Executive Dean of A.W. Tozer Theological Seminary and Accreditation Liaison Officer
Patrick Blewett
Dr. Blewett joined Simpson University in 2013 as dean of A.W. Tozer Theological Seminary and has also served as interim provost. He is an ordained minister recognized and accredited within the Christian & Missionary Alliance. His background includes over 20 years of Christian higher education and pastoral experience. Pat is a graduate of Montana Institute of the Bible (B.A. in Biblical Studies), Western Seminary of Portland (M.A. in Church Education, M.Div. in general ministry, and D.Min. in Pastoral Care). He also holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Idaho. He has multiple certifications and other training. Within higher education settings, he has served as a chief academic officer and as an undergraduate dean. He has also taught at the undergraduate and graduate levels. He has extensive experience with various accreditation bodies and serves on one to two accreditation site teams each year.
Pat and his wife, Jana, have three adult children and three grandchildren.
Director of the Financial Aid and Dean of Diversity
Shondra Dickson
Shondra Dickson joined Simpson University in 2019 as the Director of Financial Aid. She has over 20 years of experience in higher education, working in both public and private institutions. With her specialized focus on first-generation students, traditionally underrepresented students, and students with disabilities, Shondra is committed to eliminating barriers that can critically impact a student’s decision to attend college or ability to succeed. In addition to Director of Financial Aid, Shondra was appointed Associate Dean of Diversity by President Hall in 2022. She is responsible for creating strategies to successfully recruit, develop, and retain diverse faculty, staff, and students.
Shondra earned her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Fort Valley State University and her master’s degree in Executive Leadership from Liberty University. She is also pursuing her doctorate in Higher Education Leadership.
Athletic Director
Rob Harley
Rob joined Simpson in January of 2023 as the Director of Athletics. He seeks to use his experience to continue the growth and development of athletics, which includes 20 intercollegiate athletic teams. He is on a mission to build champions for Christ.
Rob’s lifework of coaching consists of leading young student-athletes and investing in the next generation. Rob received his Masters in Education Counseling at the University of Redlands in Southern California. He also earned his bachelor of arts degree from Redlands, majoring in psychology with a minor in physical education. Rob has spent 29 years passionately coaching student-athletes on and off the field and has had the privilege to coach and serve in the athletic departments of the University of Redlands, Azusa Pacific University, Eastern Oregon University, Greenville University and Evangel University.
Raised in the Bay area as a California native, Rob and his wife Janice have returned and now reside in Redding. They have two children, Annie and Tommy.
Faculty President
Molly Rupert
Molly started at Simpson University as an adjunct professor in 2010 in the Communication department, where she taught a variety of Media classes. Currently, she is the Communication & Digital Media Department Chair.
As a long-time journalist in the Redding community, she earned multiple national, state and local awards before transitioning to Simpson University to share her knowledge with Simpson students. Molly has a master’s degree from Gonzaga University in Communication & Leadership studies. She graduated summa cum laude and is a member of Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communication Honor Society. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Chico State University.
Molly and her husband, Brad, have two adult daughters.
Dean of Advancement
Ken White
Ken’s career has spanned the fields of legislative and government service, investment and financial management, as well as marketing, communications, and non-profit fundraising and administration. As Dean of Advancement, Ken oversees donor, foundation, church and alumni relations. He is a 1993 graduate of CSU, Sacramento. He and his wife Stephanie have two adult children and reside in Redding with their two foster-daughters.
