Walla Walla University leadership team

Alex Bryan

President
(509) 527-2121 | alex.bryan@wallawalla.edu

Executive assistant to the president
Deirdre Benwell
(509) 527-2121 | Fax: (509) 527-2103 | deirdre.benwell@wallawalla.edu

Education: M.Sc., Albany Medical College, 2022; D.Min. George Fox University, 2009; M.Div., Andrews University, 1996; B.A., Southern Adventist University, 1993

Previous Experience: Senior vice president, chief mission and philanthropy officer, Adventist Health, 2018–2024; Senior pastor, Walla Walla University Church, 2009–2018; President, Kettering College, 2013–2014; Associate pastor, Collegedale Church, 1993–1994, 2007–2009; Pastor, New Community Church, 1996–2007

Family: Alex and his wife, Nicole, have two children: Audrey and William.

Pamela Cress

Vice President for academic administration
(509) 527-2431 | pam.cress@wallawalla.edu  

Executive assistant to the vice president for academic administration
Cheri Wolcott
(509) 527-2431 | Fax: (509) 527-2103 | cheri.wolcott@wallawalla.edu

Education: Ph.D. Andrews University, 2004; M.S.W. Walla Walla College, 1994; B.S.W. Walla Walla College, 1990

Previous Experience: Dean of the School of Social Work and Sociology; Professor of social work

Prakash Ramoutar

Vice President for financial administration

(509) 527-2402 | prakash.ramoutar@wallawalla.edu

Education: Ph.D. Business Administration; M.B.A. Accounting & Finance Specialization; MAPTH Leadership & Administration Specialization; B.S. Applied Accounting

Previous Experience: Assistant Professor of Accounting and Finance, Walla Walla University, 2021-2022; Vice President of Financial Administration, University of the Southern Caribbean, 2015-2021; Chief Accountant, University of the Southern Caribbean, 2015; Internal Auditor, University of the Southern Caribbean, 2014-2015; Accountant, University of the Southern Caribbean, 2010-2013; Junior Accountant, University of the Southern Caribbean, 2009-2010; Accounts Manager, University of the Southern Caribbean, 2008

Darren Wilkins

Vice President for student life

(509) 527-2511 | darren.wilkins@wallawalla.edu

Executive assistant to the vice president for student life
Sharryl Toews
(509) 527-2511 | Fax: (509) 527-2674 | sharryl.toews@wallawalla.edu

Education: M.A. La Sierra University, Curriculum and Instruction, Emphasis in Ancient Languages, 2004; B.S. Walla Walla University, 1994; Montana State University, State High School Principal Endorsement, 2008

Previous Experience: Principal, Spring Valley Academy, 2013–June 2023; Principal, Mt. Ellis Academy, 2002-2013; Teacher, Loma Linda Academy High School, 2001-2002; Teacher/Vice-Principal, Loma Linda Academy Hr. High School, 1994-2001

Family: Darren and his wife, Yvette, have three sons.

Jodi Wagner

Vice President for university relations and advancement

(509) 527-2772 | jodi.wagner@wallawalla.edu

Administrative assistant to the vice president for university relations and advancement
Traci Irving
(509) 527-2772 | Fax: (509) 527-2397 | traci.irving@wallawalla.edu

Education: B.A. in Mass Communication with emphasis in Journalism with miniors in Business and English, Walla Walla University, 1992

Previous Experience: Director of Client Planning and Strategy Services, Coffey Communications, 1998–2008; Client services representative, Coffey Communications, 1994–1998; Copy editor, Coffey Communications, 1992–1994

Family: Jodi and her husband, Jeff, have three children: Katie, Jenna, and Nikolas.

Pedrito Maynard-Reid

Senior Associate Vice President for diversity and inclusion
Professor of Theology

(509) 527-2028 | pedrito.maynard-reid@wallawalla.edu 

Administrative Assistant to the Senior Associate Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion
Marion Ruybalid
(509) 527-2393 | marion.ruybalid@wallawalla.edu

Education: Th.M. Fuller Theological Seminary, 1995; Th.D. Andrews University, 1981; M.Div. Andrews University, 1975; M.A. Andrews University, 1973; B.Th. West Indies College, 1970; L.T.C.L. Trinity College of Music, 1970; L.R.S.M. Royal Schools of Music, 1970; A.T.C.L. Trinity College of Music, 1969

Previous Experience: Vice president for spiritual life and mission and professor of biblical studies and missiology, Walla Walla University; Professor of biblical studies and missiology, Walla Walla University; Professor of music and religious studies, Northern Caribbean University; Professor of theology, Antillean University

Family: Pedrito and his wife, Violet, have two children: Pedrito II and Natasha.

Albert Handal

Campus Chaplain
(509) 527-2010 | albert.handal@wallawalla.edu

Education: D.Min. Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary; M.Div. Andrews University; B.A. Southern Adventist University

Previous Experience: Pastor for College and Young Adults, Southwestern Adventist University - Keene, TX 2015-2017; Senior Pastor, Austin Stonehill Church - Austin, TX  2011-2015; Pastor for Youth and Young Adults, Calhoun Adventist Church - Calhoun, GA 2006-2011

Family: Albert and his wife, Allison, have three children: Edward, Rosa, and Dalia

Howard Munson

Associate Vice President for academic administration
(509) 527-2395 | howard.munson@wallawalla.edu

Academic Services Specialist
Lorri Bays
(509) 527-2395 | Fax: (509) 527-2130 | lorri.bays@wallawalla.edu

Education: Ph.D. Washington State University; M.A. U.S. History from Portland State University; B.A., Summa Cum Laude, Major-U.S. History, Minor-Biblical Archaeology Honors Program, Walla Walla College

Previous Experience: Professor and Department Chair: Pacific Union College July 2018-June 2023; Associate Professor: Pacific Union College July 2015-July 2018; Assistant Professor: Pacific Union College July 2012-July 2015; Instructor: Washington State University Summer 2010,2011,2012; Teaching Assistant: Washington State University Spring 2008-2012; Instructor: Pacific Union College Summer 2006-Summer 2007; Instructor: Walla Walla College Spring 2003-Spring 2006; Graduate Assistant: Portland State University Fall 2002-Spring 2003

Family:
Howard and his wife, Brenda, have two sons.

Jonathan Duncan

Associate Vice President for graduate studies

(509) 527-2421 | jonathan.duncan@wallawalla.edu

Education: Ph.D. Mathematics, Indiana University, 2007; M.S. Computer Science, Indiana University 2001; M.A. Mathematics, Indiana University, 2001; B.S. Mathematics, Walla Walla College, 1997; BA Computer Science, German, Walla Walla College, 1997

Eric James

Associate Vice President for financial administration
(509) 527-2401 | eric.james@wallawalla.edu

Education:
B.S. Business Administration, with a concentration in Accounting, Walla Walla College; C.P.A. Planned Giving & Trust Services certification

Previous Experience: Staff Auditor, General Conference Auditing Service; Senior Accountant and Director of Accounting, Walla Walla University

Family: Eric and his wife Kristelle have two children.

Trevor Congleton

Associate Vice President for marketing and enrollment services
(509) 527-2256 |& trevor.congleton@wallawalla.edu

Education: M.S.W. Walla Walla University, 2007; B.S.W. Social Work with a minor in Religion, Walla Walla University, 2006

Previous Experience: Director for recruitment, Walla Walla University, 2010–2012; Director for guest relations, Walla Walla University, 2008–2010; School counselor, Walla Walla Valley Academy, 2007–2008

Troy Patzer

Associate Vice President for alumni and advancement services
(509) 527-2586 | troy.patzer@wallawalla.edu

Education: M.B.A. City University, 2004; Administrative/Principal certificate, NPUC in conjunction with Walla Walla University, 2008; B.S. in Business Administration, Walla Walla University, 1999; Planned Giving & Trust Services certification renewed annually

Previous Experience: Trust officer, Upper Columbia Conference, 2012–2014; Principal, Upper Columbia Academy, 2008–2012; Vice president of student administration/accountant, Upper Columbia Academy, 2004–2008; Treasurer/accountant, Upper Columbia Academy, 1999–2004

Brooklynn Armesto-Larson

Assistant Vice President for Student Life
Dean of Students
(509) 527-2542 | brooklynn.armesto-larson@wallawalla.edu

Education: J.D. University of Oregon School of Law, 2020; B.A. Walla Walla University, 2016

Previous Experience: Judicial Clerk for Hon. Judge Debra Vogt, Lane County Circuit Court, 2020-2021; Attorney, Criminal Law & Family Law, 2021-2023

Family: Brooklynn and her husband Manuel have one daughter.

David Lindsey 

Chair of Faculty
(509) 527-2602 | david.lindsey@wallawalla.edu 

Education: Ph.D., University of Texas in Austin, 1992; B.S., Southwestern Adventist College, 1981.