After a pair of extensive nationwide searches, Biola University has named two new vice presidents who will help to guide the university forward beginning this fall.

David P. Nystrom was named to Biola’s second-ranking position — provost and senior vice president — in July, and assumes the role effective Aug. 16. Michael A. Pierce, who accepted the position of vice president for business and financial affairs earlier this month, will begin his role on Aug. 23.

David P. Nystrom
Provost and Senior Vice President

As Biola’s chief academic officer, David Nystrom will work closely with President Corey in the envisioning and the leadership of all academic programs and work to strengthen Biola’s position as a global presence in Christian higher education.

In addition, he will work with the academic administrators, deans and faculty on day-to-day academic issues including faculty recruitment, promotion and tenure; budget requests and needs; academic programming initiatives; and faculty concerns. Nystrom will also serve as one of the seven members on the President’s Administrative Council (PAC).

“David Nystrom is a rising presence in the world of Christian higher education, and his role as an administrator and thought leader will be significant as Biola University continues to move forward as a comprehensive university,” said Corey.

Before coming to Biola, Nystrom served as vice president for academic affairs at William Jessup University in Rocklin, Calif., where he served since 2005. Before that, he spent 12 years at North Park University and North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago, where he served as professor and chair of biblical and theological studies and director of the Institute for Christian Studies. He has also taught at Fuller Theological Seminary, where he received his M.Div., and the University of California at Davis, where he received his B.A. and Ph.D.

“Biola is a richly complex university with an admirable history, a longstanding commitment to its mission and exemplary staff and faculty,” Nystrom said. “I am honored and frankly quite excited to be asked to join with so many others who are committed to serving the cause of Christ at Biola.”

Nystrom, 51, succeeds Interim Provost Patricia Pike, who has served in the position since June 2009.

Michael A. Pierce
Vice President for Business and Financial Affairs

Pierce, of Mission Viejo, Calif., will serve as the university’s chief financial officer, tasked with providing overall strategic and financial leadership and directing the stewardship of the university’s critical financial resources and legal affairs. He joins a university that is in strong financial condition and continues to operate with a surplus and record enrollment, even while other institutions have been hit hard by recent economic conditions.

“Mike is gifted leader and communicator who will bring to this important position a high level of integrity, a track record of leading strong teams and years of professional administration at high levels of finance and business management,” Corey said.

Before joining Biola, Pierce served as senior director of finance and administration at the Center for Innovation and Strategic Collaboration in Irvine, a research and development company of St. Jude Medical, Inc. Prior to joining St. Jude Medical in 2007, he spent nearly 20 years in various leadership capacities within the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies. He holds an MBA in finance from California State University, Fullerton, and a B.S. in accounting from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

“To be a part of an institution of prominence in high education is a real honor and I hope to help Biola fulfill its mission and new strategic aspirations,” Pierce said. “I’m looking forward to joining an incredible team of people committed to extending God’s love through education to students and others throughout the world.”

Pierce succeeds Interim CFO Dave Koontz, who has served in the role since February 2010.

Jenna Bartlo, Media Relations Coordinator, can be reached at (562) 777-4061 or through email at .