Leadership On The Mountain

Dr. Dondi Costin

President

Dr. Dondi Costin began serving as Liberty University’s sixth president on July 1, 2023. He returned to Liberty, his alma mater, after five years as president of Charleston Southern University. He is a retired Major General with 36 years of service in a military career that culminated as a senior leader in the Pentagon, where he served as the eighteenth Air Force Chief of Chaplains.

A native of Wilmington, N.C., he was commissioned a second lieutenant upon graduation from The United States Air Force Academy in 1986. After ten years as an industrial engineer and assistant professor of aerospace studies, he became an Air Force chaplain in 1996. An ordained Southern Baptist minister, he was endorsed by the Liberty Baptist Fellowship during his 22 years as a chaplain.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Operations Research from The United States Air Force Academy and graduate degrees from Liberty University (M.A. in Counseling), Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (M.A. in Religion), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.), Air Command and Staff College (Master of Military Operational Art and Science), Air War College (Master of Strategic Studies), and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (D.Min in Evangelism and Church Growth; Ph.D. in Leadership).

Rev. Jonathan Falwell

Chancellor

Rev. Jonathan Falwell is senior pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church and Chancellor of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. He has served as senior pastor since June of 2007. He was called as pastor after his father, Rev. Jerry Falwell (founding pastor of TRBC in 1956) passed away in May of 2007. Rev. Falwell has been in full-time ministry since 1994. Rev. Falwell has been married to Shari since 1992 and has four children and two granddaughters and three grandsons. 

Jonathan Jr. (born 1996) and wife Paige (married January 2018) and granddaughter Olivia (born August 2020) grandson Jonathan III (born October 2022) and grandson Cooper (born January 2025, Jessica (born 1997) and husband Matt Holcomb (married July 2020) and granddaughter Elizabeth (born February 2025, Natalie and Nicholas (twins born in 2000) and wife Abby (married December 2020) grandson Noah (born January 2024).

Ashley Reich

Senior Vice President of University Compliance

Under direction by the President, the Senior Vice President of University Compliance works closely with Finance, Human Resources, Academic Affairs, Athletics, the Office of Legal Affairs, Internal Audit, Risk Management, and other stakeholder Liberty University divisions and subsidiaries to oversee Liberty University’s overall compliance efforts, including the Clery Act, Campus Security and Safety reporting, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as well as other laws and rules relating to sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, gender and interpersonal violence, sexual assault, and related policy violations (collectively referred to below as “gender harassment”) on campus (e.g., Violence Against Women Act and the Clery Act) as well as compliance under the Liberty University Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy.

Additionally, the Senior Vice President is responsible for providing strategic guidance related to compliance efforts as supported by the University’s Strategic Plan. The Senior Vice President of University Compliance fosters a safe and supportive environment for the campus and surrounding applicable areas that is conducive to the academic pursuit and healthy personal development of all persons.

Dr. David Wheeler

Professor of Evangelism, Rawlings School of Divinity

Dr. David Wheeler serves as Professor of Evangelism for the Rawlings School of Divinity at Liberty University. He is an author, motivational speaker, church consultant, and former Sr. Pastor. 

With over 40 years of vocational ministry, he specializes in strategic leadership training related to church revitalization – and is currently serving in his 21st transitional pastorate. His greatest desire is to see both his students and the local church flourish, multiply, and impact the world for Christ.

Most importantly, Dr. Wheeler married to his High School sweetheart, Debbi, 41 years ago. They have two beautiful daughters – Dana and Kara. He also has two rambunctious grandsons, CJ (7 yrs.), and Colt (5 yrs.), and a sweet granddaughter, Calynn Rose (21 mos.).

Greg Dowell

Senior Vice President, LU ONE

The Senior Vice President of LU ONE reports directly to the Executive Vice President of Student Affairs and is responsible for overseeing all diversity-related University efforts. This position is responsible for establishing inclusive institutional objectives and programming in the areas of community engagement, training, development, recruitment, retention, and accommodation. The Senior Vice President advises executive leadership on all matters of inclusion, diversity, and equity. This fosters a campus environment free from both unbiblical and unlawful discrimination.

Ian McCaw

Vice President and Director, Athletics

Ian McCaw serves as Liberty University’s 11th Director of Athletics and oversees 20 NCAA athletics programs. Liberty Athletics vision is to Train Champions for Christ, provide a high-quality student-athlete experience, and achieve victory with integrity. 

Prior to joining Liberty in November 2016, McCaw served as director of athletics at Baylor (2003-16), Massachusetts (2002-03), and Northeastern (1997-2002). During his time at Baylor, the Bears won five team national championships and captured 58 Big 12 Conference titles. Baylor’s football team reached bowl games for six consecutive years (2010-15) and won the Big 12 Championship in 2013 and 2014. 

McCaw was named 2023 Light on Sports FBS Group of Five AD of the Year, 2014-15 FBS NACDA Under Armour Athletic Director of the Year and 2012 NACDA West Region Under Armour Athletic Director of the Year. McCaw earned his master’s degree in sport management from Massachusetts in 1987, after receiving a bachelor’s degree in sports administration at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, in 1985. McCaw and his wife, Heather, have four children: Christy, Paul, Callie, and Corinne.

Jamie Swyers

Executive Director of Partnerships and Service, Human Resources

Jamie Swyers is the Executive Director of HR Partnerships and Service at Liberty University. In this role, she leads the Talent Acquisition, Service Center, and HR Business Partner teams, while also driving key initiatives focused on employee engagement, workplace culture, retention, and onboarding.

Jamie has served in various roles at Liberty University since 2012 and is both a two-time LU graduate and a certified SHRM professional. Outside of work, Jamie enjoys hiking, running, and spending quality time with her husband and their two children- 6-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter.

Jason Bohm

Dean, Helms School of Government

Dean Bohm joined the Helms School of Government in July 2024 after serving over 34 years in the United States Marine Corps.

An infantryman by trade, he commanded Marines at every level from the platoon to Marine Air, Ground, Task Force levels in peacetime and war.

Dean Bohm served is several critical staff positions in the supporting establishment and joint and combined commands to include Director of the Marine Corps’ Expeditionary Warfare School, Director of the Marine Corps Legislative Liaison Office, United States House of Representatives, and Director, Strategic Initiatives Group, Strategic Plans and Policy, Joint Chiefs of Staff.

As a General Officer he served as Commanding General, Marine Corps Training Command, Chief of Staff Naval Striking and Support Forces, NATO, Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruiting Command, and Inspector General of the Marine Corps.

A native of Ithaca, New York, Dean Bohm has belonged to several churches across the country and overseas in his time of service. He and his wife Katrina attend Calvary Chapel in Lynchburg. They are blessed with four daughters, two sons, three sons-in-law, and six grandchildren.

Jason Byrd

University Registrar

Jason Byrd is the University Registrar at Liberty University, where he has served in a variety of leadership roles for over two decades. Originally from North Carolina, Jason came to Liberty as a student in 2000 and has since built a career spanning Enrollment Management, the School of Business, and the Registrar’s Office.

Before joining Liberty, Jason spent five years in camping ministry, where he led teams and mentored teenagers—an experience that shaped his passion for leadership and service. At LU, his background across departments has given him a unique, holistic perspective on academic operations and student success. Jason’s leadership approach embodies the principles of servant leadership—marked by a calm and steady demeanor, a deep sense of responsibility, and a genuine desire to see those he leads grow and excel in both their professional and personal lives.

During his free time, Jason enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors with his family, fostering their curiosity and love for creation. On most Sundays, you’ll find him serving at his church with 2nd and 3rd graders, continuing his commitment to mentorship and community. Jason’s wife is a faculty member in Liberty’s School of Music, and together they are raising two children.

John Frichtel

John Frichtel is the Residential Chair for the Business Administration faculty at Liberty University, where he also serves as Executive Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Program Director for Business Administration and Data Analysis. With a passion for transforming students into bold, ethical leaders, John is known for turning high-impact ideas into action.

Before entering academia, John served as Vice President of Operations for Yves Delorme, a French luxury brand headquartered outside of Paris, where he led global supply chain and e-commerce strategy for North America. He previously held senior leadership roles at J.Crew, where he helped to launch Madewell.com, now one of the company’s most iconic brands.

In addition to his university leadership, John leads a private consulting firm, John A. Frichtel & Associates, and has served on the Board of Directors for APICS – Blue Ridge. He holds a B.S. from Old Dominion University, an MBA from Liberty University, and has completed post-graduate executive studies at Cornell, Duke, UVA, and the University of the Cumberlands.

Jonathan Bonar

Director of Strategic Engagement, Development

Jonathan Bonar is a 1997 graduate of Liberty University who began his ministry journey as assistant to Chancellor Dr. Jerry Falwell, Sr., who mentored him through his first pastorate—helping him grow his home church from 30 to over 1,300 in attendance in five years. In 2007, Jonathan received the Jerry Falwell Church Growth Award, just weeks after Dr. Falwell’s passing. 

He later served at Christ Fellowship in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, as a Teaching Pastor and Campus Pastor of their first satellite location, which grew to over 7,000 attendees—making it the largest satellite campus of any U.S. multisite church. As the church grew to 13 locations with over 30,000 in weekly attendance, He also looked after the Pastors of each campus and led the Christ Fellowship Leadership College, developing over 100 pastors and leaders per year. 

A stage 4 cancer survivor, Jonathan was given less than a 10% chance of survival. After six surgeries, three rounds of chemotherapy, and nearly dying three times, he emerged with a renewed passion for developing leaders and advancing the Gospel. 

Jonathan’s life and leadership was deeply marked by Dr. Falwell’s mentoring and is a powerful testimony of resilience, faith, and the impact of servant leadership.

Kirk Handy

Vice President and Athletic Director, Club Sports

Entering his 22nd season coaching at Liberty, Handy has compiled a 476-89-29 record after guiding the Flames to their second ACHA Division I “Frozen Four” this past April near St. Louis. He played right wing for the Flames’ ACHA DII team from 1996-2000, earning ACCHL Forward of the Year and Tournament MVP honors before being inducted into that conference’s Hall of Fame in 2015. Handy was a finalist for ACHA Division I Coach of the Year in 2006-07 after leading Liberty to the national tournament in its first season competing at that level. The following season, he took the Flames to their first “Frozen Four” and a No. 4 national ranking. In 2019-20, at the end of a 33-4 season highlighted by a No. 2 ranking for the final three months, Handy was named ACHA DI Coach of the Year.

Besides serving as Head Coach, Handy is now Liberty’s Vice President & Athletic Director for Club Sports. He has always had a passion and desire to see Liberty University continue to grow and develop into the vision of Dr. Jerry Falwell Sr. Handy was instrumental in the planning, development and building of the LaHaye Ice Center and the hockey program’s three ACHA men’s teams, at Divisions I, II, and III. In the early days, he handled everything from ticket sales to advertising, recruiting, and game operations, while also working in Liberty’s admissions department and overseeing recruitment events, such as College For A Weekend (CFAW). In Fall 2008, Handy helped start Liberty’s Club Sports department, which began with just five teams and 82 student-athletes and has grown to 40 teams and more than 600 student-athletes.

Kristin Conrad

Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications

The Senior Vice President of Marketing monitors all internal and external university communications. Responsible for setting and reaching strategic marketing goals, the Senior Vice President of Marketing oversees all areas related to advertising and promotion, including the development of high-quality print and online materials, video production, and ad placement. Additionally, she liaises with special guests, coordinating their participation in prominent functions related to the Liberty University Board of Trustees and Commencement.

Dr. Mary Lowe

Online Chair and Professor of Doctoral Studies, Rawlings School of Divinity

Dr. Mary Lowe holds the Ed.D. from Nova Southeastern University with a specialty in spiritual formation in theological distance education. She earned an M. A. in Adult Education from the University of Arkansas and another M.A. in Practical Ministries from Erskine Theological Seminary. Her career focus has been online teaching and learning working in the areas of administration, training, consulting, and instruction. 

She has served as a consultant to both institutions and accrediting bodies about best practices in online Christian education. Together with her husband, Dr. Steve Lowe, she published Ecologies of Faith in a Digital Age: Spiritual Growth Through Online Education. Their research grant from the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion produced a three-year national consultation about spiritual formation in online learning. Dr. Lowe has published numerous peer reviewed publications along with an edited book, Best Practices for Online Education: A Guide for Christian Higher Education. 

Her current role focuses on both academic and administrative leadership through oversight of doctoral research along with courses directing personal leadership formation.

Nikki Parsley-Blocker

Field Hockey Head Coach, Athletics

Nikki Parsley-Blocker has served as Liberty University’s head field hockey coach since 2017, leading the program to unprecedented success. Under her leadership, the Lady Flames have achieved a remarkable 93-42 record (.689 winning percentage), ranking fifth among active Division I coaches. The pinnacle of her tenure came in 2021 when she guided Liberty to its first BIG EAST title and NCAA Division I Field Hockey National Championship Game appearance.

Before joining Liberty, Parsley-Blocker was an assistant coach at Yale and had an illustrious playing career at Northwestern, where she earned second-team All-America honors. She also represented the U.S. National Program internationally.

A graduate of Northwestern University with a B.S. in education and social policy, Parsley-Blocker resides in Lynchburg with her husband, Hugh, and son, Hugo. She is dedicated to developing student-athletes both on and off the field by helping them live for the highest purpose.

Dr. Rich Diddams

Dean, School of Business; Assistant Vice Provost

Rich Diddams is the Vice Provost of Engineering and Technology & Professional Engagement and Dean School of Business. Rich served as a Marine Infantry Officer for over 20 years then held numerous leadership positions in industry including President and CEO of a mid-size engineering firm operating in 17 states and overseas. Rich has a passion for helping leaders reach their potential and obtain their calling in service to others.

Ritchie McKay

Basketball Head Coach, Athletics

Ritchie McKay is the winningest head coach in Liberty men’s basketball history, having collected 272 victories in his 12 years with the Flames. McKay has led the Flames to postseason play in eight seasons, including four NCAA Tournament berths, an NIT appearance and three CIT appearances. During the 2024-25 season, McKay led Liberty to the CUSA regular season and tournament titles in only its second year in the league.

McKay and the Flames are one of only four teams in the country to have 10 or more total titles (regular season and tournament) over the last seven years. Liberty has won 177 games since the start of the 2018-19 campaign, sixth most nationally during that span. McKay and the Flames made history in 2019, winning the school’s first ever NCAA Tournament game against No. 5 seed Mississippi State. In 2020, Liberty won a school-record 30 games.

McKay and his wife Julie reside in Lynchburg. The couple has three children. His daughter Ellie is a Liberty graduate and resides in Nashville, Tenn. His son Luke is on staff with the program as the Video Coordinator and was previously a student manager, player on the team and graduate assistant. McKay’s other son Gabriel played for the Flames for four seasons (2021-25).

Ryan Helfenbein

Vice President of Communications and Public Engagement

The Vice President of Communications and Public Engagement is primarily responsible for Liberty University’s communications strategy and public relations for both internal and external media. This includes providing counsel and assistance to executive leadership, and academic administration on all matters of university communication, media relations, and public affairs while leading the Liberty news office as the primary media liaison and university spokesperson. The Vice President of Communications and Public Engagement also oversees programming and content for the Liberty Champion.

Dr. Scott Hicks

Provost and Chief Academic Officer

Dr. Scott Hicks has been a dedicated member of the Liberty University community since 2007, when he joined as a professor. Over the years, he has held several key positions, including Dean of the School of Business in 2012 and Vice Provost of Graduate Education in 2017. In 2018, Dr. Hicks was appointed as the Provost and Chief Academic Officer, a role in which he continues to serve with distinction.

During his tenure, Dr. Hicks has led numerous initiatives and programs that have significantly enhanced the academic landscape at Liberty University. Under his leadership, the School of Business created over nine programs with more than 65 cognates and concentrations, established a Center for Entrepreneurship, and developed strategic partnerships with global companies such as Adobe, Apple, Aruba, Cisco, and Oracle. Additionally, the School of Business attained ACBSP accreditation for its programs.

Dr. Hicks holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration with concentrations in Financial Management and International Business from Northcentral University. He also earned an M.B.A. and a B.S. in Business Management with specializations in Finance and Management from Liberty University.

Before joining Liberty University, Dr. Hicks served as Senior Consultant, Retail Sales and Operations for Mansfield Oil Company, one of America’s largest Forbes 400 companies. His extensive experience in industry has provided him with the practical knowledge necessary to add value to higher education. More importantly, Dr. Hicks is committed to glorifying God in all aspects of his personal and professional life, striving to live out the principles of Luke 10:27.

Dr. Hicks’s visionary leadership, strong business acumen, and sincere heart for people have made him an invaluable asset to Liberty University. He is a true servant-leader, dedicated to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ through the vehicle of education provided by the Liberty University community.

Steve Ferro

Executive Director of Talent Development, Human Resources

Steve Ferro serves as the Executive Director of Talent Development at Liberty University, where he leads initiatives in Employee Relations, Performance Management, and Training & Development.  With over 25 years of experience in Human Resources, Steve has a proven track record in strategic HR leadership and consulting leaders at every level of an organization.  Prior to joining Liberty University in 2014, he was a senior consultant at American Electric Power.  Steve began his career at Ohio Valley Electric Corporation as an HR Generalist and eventually a Compensation & Benefits Supervisor. 

He holds a Master of Labor and Human Resources degree from THE Ohio State University Fisher College of Business and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Ohio University in Human Resources and Management.  In addition to his executive role, Steve serves as an adjunct faculty member to Liberty University’s online Human Resources program.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Steve has been happily married to his wife, Carrie for 26 years and is the proud father of two children, Vincent and Kate, both of whom attended Liberty University and are now happily married.  He recently retired from coaching high school soccer at Roanoke Valley Christian School where he spent ten years in what he describes as a “leadership pressure cooker” coaching both men’s and women’s soccer teams.

Steve Foster

Executive Vice President, Human Resources

Steve Foster has dedicated over 25 years to advancing the field of Human Resources. With deep expertise in employee benefits and employee relations, Steve is known for his strategic insight and people-first leadership.

His journey with Liberty spans 31 years—as both a student and an employee—giving him a unique and heartfelt connection to the university’s mission and culture. With a background in Psychology, Steve brings a thoughtful, human-centered approach to leadership, helping shape a workplace culture rooted in trust, innovation, and purpose.

Steve is widely recognized as an inspirational leader, a catalyst for change, and a builder of strong, values-driven teams. His ability to foster collaboration and drive meaningful transformation has made a lasting impact on the university and its people.

Beyond his professional achievements, Steve has been married to his wife, Tami, for 36 years. Together, they have raised three wonderful children and welcomed a daughter-in-law into their family. His commitment to family, faith, and community is at the heart of everything he does.

Steve leads with authenticity, vision, and heart—always striving to make a difference in the lives of those around him.