After an extensive national search and interview process, Biola University has selected Dr. Matt Rouse to serve as the new dean of the School of Science, Technology and Health, effective August 31, 2020.

Rouse is an accomplished health sciences professional with experience serving in key administrative roles at Biola in addition to teaching. Teaching in the classroom has afforded him a diverse range of experience as professor and administrator managing undergraduate, graduate and professional programs.

Rouse has served as the interim dean since April 2019 and rose to the top of candidates during Biola’s national search for the dean position.

“I couldn’t be more delighted that Dr. Rouse accepted our offer to lead the sciences at Biola University,” said Deborah Taylor, Biola’s provost and senior vice president. “During his interim, I’ve been impressed by his emotional intelligence, his collaborative spirit, and his courage to make difficult decisions, even during his time as interim dean. He is beloved by his faculty and has already become a valued voice on the Council of Academic Deans. We are confident that the School of Science, Technology, and Health is in wise and capable hands.”

Rouse earned a bachelor’s of science degree in biological sciences and a master’s of science degree in communicative disorders from University of Redlands. He also holds a doctorate in speech language pathology from Nova Southeastern University. His teaching interests are in the areas of neuroscience and neurogenic communication disorders.

Rouse’s humble servant leadership has been consistently modeled throughout his career, Taylor wrote in a letter announcing Rouse’s hiring to the Biola community. Rouse is passionate about leading in the integration of a Christian worldview with science, technology and health education and scholarship.

“I am thrilled to take on this exciting and challenging role and reimagine the future of STEM and health at Biola with our school's faculty and staff,” said Rouse. “We believe that our Christian faith integrated into science and health makes a powerful argument for Christ. Our desire is to send biblically faithful Christians into graduate programs as well as industry and health contexts to show that faith and science together is better.”

The search committee shared that Rouse understands and has consistently demonstrated the importance of collaboration among faculty and administration and they received only positive feedback and enthusiasm regarding his candidacy.

Rouse will continue to teach a limited number of classes for Biola’s speech-language pathology program. He enjoys integrating the Christian faith with speech-language pathology through topics like "disability and the purpose of suffering," "the Christian theology of personhood" and "a Christian view of the body.” He is the author of the textbook, Neuroanatomy for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists, published by Jones & Bartlett Learning.

For more information on Biola’s School of Science, Technology and Health or to apply, visit biola.edu/science.