Dennis Dirks stepped down in June after 20 years of service as the fifth dean of Talbot School of Theology. While dean, Dirks initiated two off-campus extension programs, one in Manhattan, New York, and the other in Kiev, Ukraine. He also made significant contributions to Talbot’s growth and international recognition. Dirks served nine years in administrative roles and seven as faculty before becoming dean, and he plans to continue serving at Biola in his retirement.

“These 20 years as dean have been vocationally the most fulfilling of my life,” Dirks said. “God in His grace brought together an amazingly gifted group of faculty and wonderfully skilled, committed staff. I am intellectually and, in particular, spiritually wealthy beyond measure for having served among these colleagues.”

Pete Menjares, vice provost for faculty development and academic effectiveness, was recently appointed as the new president of Fresno Pacific University, a role he will begin in August. The appointment makes him the second Hispanic president to serve at a university within the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities. He worked at Biola for 16 years as a professor for the School of Education and associate provost of diversity leadership.

“Biola has been at the center of my life and service for the past 16 years and I have been privileged to be part of this grace-filled community in the fulfillment of its mission,” Menjares said. “It will be a difficult transition, but I am very excited about the opportunity to serve as the 11th president of Fresno Pacific University and to advance the cause of Christ-centered higher education in the Central Valley.”