Leslie Pollard

Leslie N. Pollard (born 1956) is a Seventh-day Adventist minister, author, and administrator. Since 2011 he has served as the eleventh president of Oakwood University, the church's sole HBCU.[1][2]

Leslie N. Pollard
Born1956 (age 66–67)
New Orleans, Louisiana
EducationOakwood University, Andrews University, Claremont School of Theology, La Sierra University
ChurchSeventh-day Adventist
Offices held
Pastor, Oakwood University Church; Vice President for Diversity, Loma Linda University; President, Oakwood University
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Background

Leslie Nelson Pollard was born in 1956 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He holds a BA in theology from Oakwood University (1978), a Master of Divinity from Andrews University (1983), a Doctor of Ministry from Claremont School of Theology (1992), a Master of Business from La Sierra University (2005), and a PhD in New Testament Language and Literature from Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary (2007).[3]

In 1979 Pollard was married to Prudence LaBeach, a human resource specialist, educator, and author. The couple have two adult daughters, Kristin Pollard Kiel, an attorney, and Karin Pollard Smith, a pharmacist, and four grandchildren.[4]

Career

Pollard began his career in 1978 as a Seventh-day Adventist pastor. In nearly two decades of ministry, he led several notable churches, including Kansas Avenue (Riverside, California), Berean (Los Angeles, California), and Oakwood University Church (Huntsville, Alabama), and gained an international reputation as an effective evangelist.[4]

From 1996 to 2011 Pollard was the vice president for diversity at Loma Linda University, the second individual to hold the position. Considered an authority on diversity, in 2000 he published Embracing Diversity: How to Understand and Reach People of All Cultures.[5]

Pollard began his presidency at Oakwood University in January 2011. His tenure is notable for the launch of Oakwood Online University;[6] more than $30 million of construction and renovation, most notably the Peters Media Center;[7] the creation of Oakwood Organic Farms, the largest urban farm in Northern Alabama;[8] the establishment of separate schools within the university; a considerable faculty and staff downsizing;[9] and the placement of Oakwood University as an institution of the North American Division instead of its previous status as a General Conference institution.[10] Pollard is also noted for a strong social media presence and involvement in national politics.[11] In June 2022, the Oakwood University Board of Trustees voted to extend Pollard's term to June 2026.[1]

See also

References
  1. "Oakwood University President Elected for a Third Term". Adventist Review. 2022-06-29. Retrieved 2022-09-30.
  2. Gattis, Paul (2011-01-22). "New Oakwood President Leslie Pollard gives bold vision for future". The Huntsville Times. Retrieved 2022-09-30.
  3. "Leslie N. Pollard D.Min., Ph.D.: Executive Profile & Biography - Bloomberg". www.bloomberg.com. Archived from the original on 2017-12-14.
  4. "Leslie N. Pollard, Ph.D., D.Min.-UNCF".
  5. Hale, Frank W. (11 November 2017). What Makes Racial Diversity Work in Higher Education: Academic Leaders Present Successful Policies and Strategies. Stylus Publishing, LLC. ISBN 9781579220679. Archived from the original on 14 December 2017 – via Google Books.
  6. "Oakwood University Distance Learning". collegefactual.com. 20 February 2013. Archived from the original on 11 November 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  7. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2017-07-04. Retrieved 2017-11-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. "Welcome to Oakwood Farms – Oakwood Magazine". 26 January 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-11-11. Retrieved 2017-11-11.
  9. "Oakwood Personnel Cuts Reveal Troubling Trend in Adventist Higher Education". spectrummagazine.org. Archived from the original on 11 November 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  10. "Oakwood constituents back transfer to NAD". news.adventist.org. 26 September 2017. Archived from the original on 11 November 2017.
  11. "Oakwood President Leslie Pollard Attends White House Listening Session". spectrummagazine.org. Archived from the original on 2017-06-25.
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