President
Robert B. Sloan
The President is the Chief Executive Officer of Houston Christian University (HCU). The President is charged with the general supervision of the administration of the University and reports to the Board of Trustees. The President collaborates with Trustee members and a wide range of internal and external constituencies to provide visionary leadership and direction for HCU’s future. In consultation with the Board of Trustees, the President oversees University policies, strategic direction and the overall financial condition of the University. In addition, the President is responsible for leading the University in academics, research, student life, and civic engagement. The President has oversight and development responsibilities of HCU’s strategic plan, The Ten Pillars, which details HCU’s pursuit of becoming a comprehensive national Christian university firmly rooted in the Christian faith and the $136.5 million capital campaign goal that undergirds The Ten Pillars, called “Seize the Moment”. As the leading spokesperson of the University, the President interacts with faculty, staff, students, alumni, the Board of Trustees, donors, friends of the University community, and the public. The President is actively engaged in promoting and advancing HCU’s Christian educational mission and academic excellence. The President leads the University’s fundraising efforts and is charged with attracting resources from a variety of sources. The President also oversees the human and financial resources of the institution to ensure fiscal soundness and accountability.
Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Kristina Cerling
The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs is the chief academic officer of the University, responsible to the President for providing vision and leadership for the University’s academic and student life programs with a clear, focused commitment to teaching, learning and academic excellence. As interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Cerling works closely with associate provosts, academic deans, faculty and other administrators to address educational policy, instructional planning, program review, accreditation, academic personnel actions, resource planning and faculty development. Dr. Cerling brings broad experience in both higher education and K-12 leadership, having previously served as Associate Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Graduate School, and earlier as a teacher, principal, curriculum director and superintendent of schools. She holds a BA in English Education from Bethel College Mishawaka, an MEd from Indiana Wesleyan Universityand an EdD from Oakland City University. Her scholarship focuses on school administration, secondary literacy, and Holocaust Education and Social Justice, and she has published in The Journal of Liberal Arts and Sciences and presented at numerous national conferences. Dr. Cerling serves on the President’s Executive Council and reports directly to the President.
Vice President for Advancement and University Relations
Sharon Saunders
The Vice President for Advancement and University Relations is responsible to the President for the administration, operation, and direction of the University’s fundraising program and works with the President, Trustees, volunteers, as well as academic and administrative leadership to frame appropriate strategies and implement fundraising initiatives. The Vice President for Advancement and University Relations provides overall leadership for the alumni association, as well as areas including church relations, University Events and Conferences. The Vice President for Advancement and University Relations also serves as executive director of The Guild, an organization of more than three hundred Christian women dedicated to the support of the University President and Houston Christian University. This person also oversees the American Museum Society, an organization committed to supporting the HCU Museum of American Architecture and Decorative Arts. All projects of affinity organizations and advisory council coordinate with this office, including event planning, fundraising, and special projects. In addition, the Vice President for Advancement and University Relations serves as a member of the President’s Executive Council leadership team, numerous institutional committees and community-related advisory boards and councils. The Vice President for Advancement and University Relations represents the President with a number of publics, community friends, and organizations and serves as the liaison for the President on special projects and event planning.
Director of Athletics
Stan Williamson
The Director of Athletics is responsible to the President for oversight of all areas of the Athletic Department. The Director provides vision and leadership to the department while maintaining a Christian, competitive NCAA Division l athletic program. This person is also responsible for fostering gender equality and diversity within the department, while continuing to develop an integrated role for intercollegiate athletics within the university structure. The Director of Athletics is responsible for oversight and development of the athletic budget and for oversight of all athletic facilities.
Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing
James Steen
The Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing is responsible to the President for all activities related to administering undergraduate recruitment and admissions, as well as marketing and communications for the University. The Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing is responsible for assuring that the quality and quantity of the inquiry pool are sufficient to meet the enrollment needs and goals of the institution. This includes managing the team that oversees the communication efforts to prospective students, represents the University at college fairs and other events around the state, and coordinates campus visits and orientation/registration events for prospective and incoming students. Additionally, the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing oversees the development of an integrated marketing plan and a clear and compelling brand for the institution to help shape and pursue the University’s mission and vision. This includes leadership over the marketing and branding efforts of the institution as well as collaboration with internal and external community members to effectively promote the University.
Acting President/Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer
Sandy Mooney
The Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer (CFO/COO) is responsible to the President of Houston Christian University, serves as a member of the Executive Council and, in the President’s absence, serves as the Officer-in-Charge. The CFO/COO collaborates closely with all members of the President’s Executive Council and other peer positions reporting to the President in planning, directing and leading the implementation of projects, policies, procedures and practices that govern operations essential to achieving the mission and goals of the University. The CFO/COO is also directly responsible for the oversight, leadership and coordination of several critical administrative functions and divisions/departments including: Financial Operations, Planning and Budgeting, Student Accounts, Human Resources, Space Planning and Usage, Campus Police/Public Safety, Facilities Management and Development, Information Technology, Bookstore, and other outsourced services. The CFO/COO also has a significant role in the management of the University’s wholly owned subsidiary, Beechnut Street, Inc.