Sharon Tan, Ph.D., has stepped down as vice president and dean of Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary, a school of Fresno Pacific University. The change is effective Monday, October 23, 2023.
Fresno Pacific University President André Stephens, Ph.D., expressed deep appreciation for Tan’s dedication and service to the seminary and to the university. “We are confident that, with the dedication of our faculty and staff, we will successfully navigate this transitional period and continue to provide high-quality education and excellent support services to our students as we uphold the Christ-centered mission and values of our university,” he said.
Sherri Hughes, Ph.D., interim university provost, will assume direct oversight of the seminary to ensure the continuity of operations. Tan will continue at FPU for the remainder of the academic year on special assignment completing research projects for both the president’s and provost’s offices.
Seminary staff and faculty were notified at a meeting Monday morning by Stephens and Hughes. An email was sent to the 109 seminary students following the meeting. “We appreciate prayers for our seminary staff, faculty and students,” Stephens said.
Tan began work July 1, 2022. Before coming to the seminary, she was acting dean of the seminary and professor of theological ethics at Eden Theological Seminary, St. Louis, and vice president for academic strategy as well as dean and vice president of academic affairs and McVay Professor of Christian Ethics at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. She began her career as an attorney at Sutherland, Asbill and Brennan in Atlanta.