Academic Dean David Agron is a highly energetic and capable leader. I encountered abundant evidence and testimony of his dedication, hard work, and prodigious personal productivity. (from Report of Special Consultative Evaluation Visit by the Executive Director of the Association for Biblical Higher Education to Bethesda Christian University). David J. Agron, Ph.D. (626) 617-0527 dagron@accreditation101.com Education: Doctor of Philosophy in Inter-Cultural Studies, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California, 2002. Dissertation explored how to design more effective missionary training. Research topics dealt with competencies necessary to be effective (i.e., comprehensive list of necessary learning objectives relating to knowledge and understanding, ministry skills, and character qualities based on survey research from Western and Non-Western mission agencies and mission training programs) and types of instructional methods best suited to each of these three types of objectives. Master of Theology in Missiology (Th.M.), Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California, 1992. Master of Divinity (Missions/Evangelism Concentration), Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas, 1986. Southwestern Baptist Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1979. Additional Studies: Fundraising Certificate Program, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, 26.25 credits as of March., 2006. Radio Broadcast Certificate Program, Mt. San Antonio College, Walnut, California, 15 credits as of Dec., 2009. Academic Appointments: Accreditation Consultant and President of Agron & Associates, Inc. July 1999 to present. I am leading my thirteenth self study (and have led nine complete self studies for Korean colleges). I have also served Vietnamese, Chinese, Latino, and African- American colleges. I use the self-study process to mentor administrators of small colleges. I also direct the work of five senior associates. Adjunct Professor. 2000 to Present. Various schools (Kings College, World Mission University, Hope International University, Presbyterian Theological Seminary in America) Director of Curriculum & Assessment. School of Professional Studies Hope International University. April 2002 to April 2003. I led a competency-based process for setting program objectives for the MBA, Bachelor of Science in Business, and AA in Business management. I also worked on a comprehensive outcomes assessment plan and developed a guide and template to facilitate faculty 1
members in writing curriculum to be used by others who would teach their courses. I supervised and evaluated the writing of perhaps a dozen courses. I conducted new faculty orientation in two areas: teaching methods and integration of faith and scholarship. Academic Dean. Bethesda Christian University and Theological Seminary. December 1994 to June 1999. I led this school s accreditation efforts from applicant status, through candidate membership, to accredited membership. I also taught one missions class per semester. Bethesda serves first-generation Koreans in the United States. Instructor, Major World Religions. Mt. San Antonio College, Sociology, Anthropology, Philosophy Department. August 1991 to January 1995. Instructor, Missions. Bethesda Christian University. 1993-94. Instructor, Global Studies Department. Azusa Pacific University, September 1993 to January 1995. Teaching Assistant, Language and Culture Learning (LAMP). Seminary. March 1991 to May 1992. Fuller Theological Instructor, Bible Inquiry Class. Azusa Pacific University, School of Intensive English. October 1990 to April 1992. 2
Courses Taught o Anthropology 1 - Adapting to Other Cultures o Anthropology 2 - Ministering in Other Cultures o Church Planting o Evangelism o History of Missions o Missions From the 3 rd World o Personalized Design for Missionary Training o Self-Directed Language Learning o Senior Capstone Course o Teaching Methods o World Religions & Mission o An online course serving as an orientation to graduate education for MBA students: Strategies for Success Personal & Professional Values 3
Ministry Experience As a minister, I acquired a wide variety of teaching and administrative experiences. This has included teaching hundreds of adult and children's Sunday School Classes, Leadership Training Classes, Home Bible Studies, Youth Meetings, Senior Devotionals, Sermons, etc. All together, well over a thousand lessons were prepared and delivered between 1979 and 1990. This also included strategic planning, team building, leadership development and promotion of vision. Most of this experience was in Cambodian refugee churches and in the Cayman Islands. Church Planter/Pastor, Living Water Cambodian Baptist Church, San Diego, California. January 1987 to January 1990. Pastor, Hampton Place Cambodian Baptist Mission, Dallas, Texas. March 1984 to December 1986. Youth Minister, Hampton Place Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas. Summer, 1984. YMCA Resident Outreach Co-Director, Fort Worth, Texas. 1981--1983. Journeyman Missionary, Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Cayman Islands, British West Indies. June 1979 through July 1981. Presentations Accreditation 101 workshop at each year s annual meeting of the Association for Biblical Higher Education from 2006 to present. Authentically Christian: Incorporating Initiatives that Facilitate Spiritual Life in Academia workshop at the 2013 TRACS annual meeting Should we use a Consultant to Help us Reach Accreditation? workshop at the 2013 TRACS annual meeting Annual Accreditation Workshops, 2002 to present, which I arranged and helped teach. Twenty -- Thirty administrators from colleges and seminaries typically attend our West Coast workshops, with smaller numbers at our East Coast workshops. I have spoken on such topics as improving theological education, faith and scholarship, developing spiritually integrated programs, and accreditation. Guest speakers have included the Executive Director and Associate Director of the Association for Biblical Higher Education. Faculty development workshops on Integration of Faith and Scholarship, Instructional Methods, Syllabus Preparation, Institutional Research, Accreditation Workshop Leader at both the 1996 and 2000 annual conferences of the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges (AABC) concerning learning objectives for training missionaries (1996) and instructional design and independent study contracts (2000). Seminar Leader at the 1999 annual meeting of the Southwest regional chapter 4
of the Evangelical Missiological Society concerning personalized design for missionary training Spiritual Gifts Conference for Adat Y'shua (Messianic Synagogue), 1990. Instructor of ethnic pastors in the 1989 annual meeting of the Dakotas Baptist Convention. Instructor for both the 1988 and 1989 National Cambodian Leadership Conferences. Instructor for both the 1988 and 1989 Schools of the Prophets (training leaders and potential leaders of Cambodian churches). I was also in charge of the 1989 Anglo workers component of the conference. Revival speaker in Washington, Vancouver, Utah, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania. Publications, Etc: Doctoral Dissertation: Learning Objectives and Instructional Methods For Competency- Based Missionary Training. Fuller Theological Seminary, 2002. Masters Thesis (Th.M.): Understanding and Reaching Soviet Jews. Fuller Theological Seminary, 1992. The Accreditation 101 podcasts at www.accreditation101.com cover topics such as orienting board members, teaching methods, college fundraising, curriculum design, student services, distance education, and, of course, self study and accreditation A Re-education Camp Survival Kit at www.myprofessorhatesme.com is billed as everything you need to survive four years of indoctrination. These podcasts are designed to strengthen the faith of Christians in secular academia and to promote the value of Christian higher education. "The Wise Investor: A Parable for College Administrators." In Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges Newsletter, Volume XLVI, Number 2, April 2002. "Possibilities of Packing Prayer into Curriculum Plans." In Training for Cross-Cultural Ministries, May 2000. "The Non-Western Mission Movement: A Strategic Opportunity for Bible Colleges." In Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges Newsletter, Volume XXXX, Number 3, Fall 1996. "Three Good Reasons to Reject the Gospel: Designing a Better Presentation." Bethesda Christian University Journal, 1996. In "Not Just Offering Classes -- Adequately Equipping God's Servants." Christian University Journal, 1995. In Bethesda 5
"Seven Ways to Promote A Mission Training Center." In Training for Cross-Cultural Ministries, Sept. 1994. "Why Koreans Should Plant Churches in Other Cultures." University Journal, 1993. In Bethesda Christian "But I Don't Believe in You! -- How a Jew Introduced Himself to Jesus." In Bethesda Christian University Journal, 1993. "Comprehensive Exams on a Wing and a Prayer." In The Semi. March 9, 1992. "Don't Believe Too Quickly: A Response to `Christianity on Trial'." Philosophy Series (Mt. San Antonio College). Nov. 1992. "Russian Jews: A Ripe Field." In Lausanne Consultation on Jewish Evangelism Bulletin, Issue No. 22 (Nov. 1990). I am currently working on How to Launch, Grow and Develop a Christian College. While working on this book, I have been turning chapters into monographs and selling them through the online store on my website. These include: How to Cultivate Alumni Associations that are Useful to Small Christian Colleges. Agron & Associates, Inc. 2008 Finding Funds for Small Christian Colleges. Agron & Associates, Inc. 2013 I have also placed a 100 page Manual for Developing Boards of Directors that are Useful to Small Christian Colleges. Agron & Associates, Inc. 2010. 6
References Dr. Randall Bell Director Emeritus of the Commission on Accreditation The Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges (AABC) 5850 T.G. Lee Blvd., Ste. 130 Orlando, FL 32822 (407) 207-0808 rebel@abhe.org David has worked in a cross-cultural, higher education situation where he has demonstrated his unusual skill in working with people and advancing complex projects. He has been instrumental in enabling a specialized institution dealing with a population that uses English as a second language to effectively pursue standards of accreditation. David will be an asset to any organization, not only because of his work ethic, but also because of his integrity. From the crucible of ministry experience, David has identified core values that give a unity to his philosophy of education. This philosophy, when coupled with his competence and creativity, gives evaluators real confidence in programs he has designed. W. Sherrill Babb, Ph.D. Chancellor Philadelphia Biblical University 805 S Pine St. Langhorne, PA 19047 (267) 688-0723 sbabb@pbu.edu Having observed Dr. David Agron in instructional settings and leadership responsibilities, I find him to be an excellent communicator, educator and facilitator. Dr. Agron has a proven record in dealing with intercultural and crosscultural communities as a missionary and educational leader. If there were a need at our university for a position in his particular area of expertise, Dr. Agron would be at the top of my list." 7
Brian Tomhave Associate Academic Dean of Non-Traditional Studies Life Pacific College 1100 W. Covina Blvd. San Dimas, CA 91773 (909) 706-3058 btomhave@lifepacific.edu Dr. David M. Phillips Dean of Adult and Graduate Studies Trevecca Nazarene University 333 Murfreesboro Road Nashville, TN 37210-2877 (719) 964-7143 DPhillips@Trevecca.edu Dr. Chris Olson Senior Researcher for Institutional Research Azusa Pacific University 2421 Foothill Blvd., 29E La Verne, CA 91750 (858) 337-7391 colson@apu.edu Dr. Kyu Nam Choi Executive Vice President Grace Mission University 1645 Valencia Dr. Fullerton, CA 92833 (951) 850-7431 qchoi3@yahoo.com 8