Peter Rios, DSL, is the new associate vice president for academic innovation. He will begin July 17, 2017.
Reporting directly to the president, the AVP for academic innovation is responsible for FPU Online, representing all university online degree programs, the evaluation and development of new academic and technology innovation, and the mission effectiveness of the Office of Continuing Education and the Center for Online Learning. The AVP works with administration, staff and faculty to ensure FPU Online and other AI career and professional offerings embody the academic and faith-based standards of the university.
Rios comes to FPU from the DeVoe School of Business at Indiana Wesleyan University, in Marion, IN, where he has been a program director and affiliate faculty. Indiana Wesleyan’s pioneering success in online and off-site higher education has made it the largest member of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) by enrollment. Of it’s more than 14,000 students, just over 3,000 study on the main campus and more than 5,000 study at DeVoe. He is also the CEO and co-founder of Robust Innovative Organizational Solutions (RIOS), a Pasadena consulting firm for business, organizations and religious institutions that focuses on strategic foresight, leadership development, organizational diversity and renewal.
The integration of faith, knowledge and action are important to Rios. “Students ought to develop a biblical worldview through their academic studies, and learn how to live out their faith in their community, vocation and throughout the world. This is the mark of true educational discipleship and a distinctive of Christian higher education.”
A Christian university should foster academic and personal growth at the highest level, according to Rios. “This is accomplished by creating a safe space for students to discuss ideas and be challenged intellectually and spiritually. Christian faculty and staff are called to steward this process through servant leadership, crafting leaders who will embody the attributes of Jesus,” he said.
Currently Rios is conducting research in intercultural studies with a focus on Latino issues and intercultural relations at Fuller Theological Seminary. He has a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership from Regent University, an M.A. in Theological Studies and Transformational Leadership from Northeastern Seminary at Roberts Wesleyan College and a B.S. from Liberty University.