Leadership On The Mountain

Claudia Dempsey

Claudia Dempsey serves as a Professor and Online Chair in the School of Divinity. With a background in Community Counseling, Christian Ministry, and Christian Leadership, she believes theology should do more than inform; it should transform. For this reason, she is deeply committed to helping others integrate biblical truth into everyday moments of life. She is passionate about communicating God’s Word in ways that foster hope amid uncertainty, peace in times of unrest, and a lasting sense of purpose rooted in Christ. Outside of her work in ministry and education, her favorite moments are spent in the company of friends and family.

Carolyn Peck

Carolyn Peck is the Assistant Director of Enterprise Architecture with nearly 17 years of experience in Information Services across higher education and the corporate sector. Her career path includes diverse roles in production, marketing, and progressively senior leadership positions in project and program management, giving her a distinctive ability to blend creative insight with strategic execution. During her tenure at Liberty University, she has contributed to a period of significant institutional transformation. She has played a key role in major enterprise initiatives, including Canvas, Workday, Softdocs, and Dropbox, along with numerous large-scale technology efforts. She was also instrumental in establishing the IT communications function, strengthening alignment between Information Services and the broader university community, and ensuring greater awareness of available services across campus. In addition, she revamped the IS budget to increase transparency and streamline decision-making, while leading initiatives focused on cost savings and the rationalization of the university’s software portfolio. Known for her people-centered leadership style, Carolyn is committed to fostering collaborative, transparent environments where individuals feel valued and heard. She believes that open dialogue, even when challenging, is critical to driving innovation, growth, and lasting impact. Outside of her professional work, she is married to Andrew Peck, an IT Manager at Packaging Corporation of America, and together they are raising two daughters. Her experiences outside of work continue to shape her perspective, reinforcing the values of empathy, resilience, and purpose that guide both her leadership and her approach to life.

David Wheeler

Dr. David Wheeler currently 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 21^st 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 his High School sweetheart, Debbi, 41 years ago. They have two beautiful daughters – Dana and Kara.  He also has two rambunctious grandsons, CJ and Colt, and a sweet granddaughter, Calynn Rose!

Dondi Costin

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). He has been married to Vickey for more than 36 years.

Deanna Keith

Deanna Keith serves as the Vice Provost of Institutional Effectiveness and Research and the Dean of The Graduate School at Liberty University. She provides leadership across the areas of accreditation, institutional effectiveness, assessment, policy, and research. Through these roles, she seeks to align data-informed decision-making with mission-focused outcomes. Grounded in servant leadership, Dr. Keith is committed to honoring the Lord through her work and fostering environments that continually enhance institutional excellence.

Ivie Lilly

Ivie Lilly is the Director of Analytics and Decision Support (ADS Operations) at Liberty University, leading reporting and business process improvement efforts that support data-driven decision-making across the institution. Her teams collaborate closely with Student Financial Services, Finance, Athletics, Campus Recreation, Facilities Management, the Office of Security and Public Safety, Legal, and other operational areas on centralized data and process improvement initiatives. Outside of her professional role, Ivie is also a proud member of an award-winning tap dance group, bringing the same dedication and creativity to the stage as she does to her work.

Jason Bohm

Dean Bohm joined the Helms School of Government in July 2024 after serving 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 in peacetime and war. 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. Dean Bohm and his wife, Katrina, attend Calvary Chapel in Lynchburg. They are blessed with four daughters, two sons, and eight grandchildren.

Jonathan White

Jonathan White is a Classification and Compensation Analyst II within Human Resources, specializing in pay-related labor laws and employee classification across the University. He brings cross-industry experience from banking and government-sponsored healthcare programs, contributing a strong compliance focus and analytical perspective to compensation practices. Jonathan is a Liberty University alum, holding a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, a Bachelor of Science in Law and Policy (Pre-Law), and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Healthcare Law and Compliance.

Jamie Swyers

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- a 7-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter.

Jeff Hurlbert

Jeff Hurlbert began serving at Liberty in August of 2025 after working 2 years as the Chief Security Officer for a $150 B Fortune 200 company. Prior to his corporate role, Mr. Hurlbert served 32 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a one-star general. In his current position, Mr. Hurlbert leads the university’s efforts to foster a safe and supportive environment, both on campus and in the surrounding areas. He is responsible for university programs, including Ethics, Internal Audit, Institutional Compliance, Equal Rights & Title IX, Clery Act Oversight, and Government & Community Relations. Mr. Hurlbert’s military career focused primarily on federal law enforcement, compliance, security, and counter-intelligence, highlighted by 3½ years at the White House and a tour as Chancellor of the National War College. Hurlbert holds a BBA in Accountancy from Notre Dame and a master’s degree in Business Organizational Management from the University of La Verne, as well as National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. Mr. Hurlbert and his bride of 29 years, Stephanie, have eight children.

Jonathan Falwell

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 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, two granddaughters, and four grandsons.

Joseph Sojourner

Joseph Sojourner (Sojo) is an Atlanta-based strategist and communicator known for crafting unforgettable moments for audiences. With nearly two decades of experience, he’s partnered with brands like Google, Maxwell Leadership, Disney, NBC, Chick-fil-A, and even hosted YouTube’s Dude Perfect summer tour. Sojo launched Infinite Stage in 2025—a public speaking coaching service built to help people speak with confidence and own every stage.

Josh Rutledge

Josh Rutledge is the Vice President of Spiritual Development at Liberty University, where he has served on staff since 2015. In that role, he oversees the following areas within the University: LU Stages (Convocation and Campus Community), LU Shepherd, LU Serve, LU Stages, LU Send, Liberty Worship Collective, and Liberty Pastoral Counseling and Care. He and his wife, Meredith, along with their four children, live in Lynchburg, VA.

Michael Frommack

Michael Frommack serves as Director of HR Business Partners at Liberty University, where he founded and scaled the organization’s first enterprise HRBP function. He holds a doctorate in Industrial-Organizational Psychology with research focused on leadership, emotional intelligence, and employee engagement. Michael bridges the gap between people science and everyday HR practice, helping leaders understand how the conditions they create directly shape the culture their teams experience.

Mike Hagen

Mike Hagen is in his sixth year leading the Flames Club as Vice President of Development for Athletics Engagement. A two-time Liberty graduate, he began his career as a student worker in Athletics Media Relations, later overseeing Athletics Compliance before spending five years with the Atlantic Sun Conference. He returned to Liberty in 2017 and was appointed to his current role in 2020. Under his leadership, the Flames Club has raised more than $26 million in support of Liberty Athletics and now serves over 5,000 donors annually. Mike played a key role in launching Giving Day and enhancing the game-day experience for football and basketball. He and his wife, Erin, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Administration, Chief Regulatory Officer, and Senior Woman Administrator, are the proud parents of Emmy and Duke.

Peyton Gordon

Peyton Gordon serves as the Assistant Director of Training and Development within Human Resources at Liberty University, where she assists with leading a high-performing team dedicated to developing leaders and employees across the institution. With six years of experience in Liberty’s Human Resources department, Peyton has held multiple roles, giving her a broad and practical perspective on leadership, growth, and organizational development. A two-time Liberty University graduate, Peyton holds a Bachelor’s degree in Family and Child Development and a Master’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology.

Ritchie McKay

Ritchie McKay returned to Liberty as men’s basketball head coach in 2015 after serving six seasons as associate head coach at Virginia under Tony Bennett. Since his return, he has led the Flames to sustained success, including nine 20-win seasons, eleven conference titles, multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, and a historic first NCAA Tournament win in 2019. His teams have earned national recognition and record rankings, highlighted by a 30-win season in 2019-20. Across all head coaching seasons, McKay holds a 463-300 record and is Liberty’s all-time winningest coach, guiding the program to consistent postseason success and national prominence.

Robert Ritz

Dr. Ritz’s 37-year career remains focused on finances and higher education.  He has worked at a variety of institutions, including Clarks Summit University (PA), Hiram College (OH), Baptist Bible Institute (OH), Harrisburg Area Community College (PA), and Liberty University (VA). Through Cornell University, he completed certificates in the Administrative Management Institute (AMI), Financial Management, and Financial Success for Nonprofits.

He serves in roles related to 23 affiliate or subsidiary companies in the areas of aviation, healthcare, retail, investment property, and broadcasting.   

In addition to finance and student financial aid, he has held positions as Project Leader in Technology, Interim Dean of Enrollment Services, and Adjunct Faculty in Management and Education.  He has taught courses including Economic Impact of Higher Education, Educational Research, Foundations of Education, Tests and Measurements, Educational Systems, Project Management, Strategic Management, Learning Theory, and Methods of Teaching. He has participated as a peer reviewer on the Editorial Board of the NASFAA Journal and as a Trustee for the State of Virginia with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

He has presented at the local, state, and national levels.  He is also the recipient of the Crestwood Exemplary Service to Education Award, the President’s Award at Harrisburg Area Community College, and the Nancy L. Moeller Outstanding Achievement Commendation for Professional Staff.

After earning his Ph.D. in 2006, focusing on higher education policy, he joined Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, and now serves as the Chief Financial Officer. 

In this position, he leads 720 employees in Business Administration, Finance, Human Resources, Student Financial Services, Procurement, Risk Management and Tax. 

Joanna Roush

Joanna Roush is a higher education professional with more than 16 years of experience across admissions, student affairs, financial aid, and institutional compliance. She currently serves as Executive Director of Institutional Compliance at Liberty University, working with senior leadership to oversee regulatory compliance, strengthen institutional accountability, and ensure alignment with state and federal requirements. Joanna brings expertise in Title IV administration, state authorization, and the development of practical, sustainable compliance programs. In the spring of 2024, she played a key role in establishing Liberty’s Office of Institutional Compliance, helping to advance a more coordinated, proactive, and institution-wide approach to compliance. At the national level, Joanna has contributed to federal policy efforts as an alternate negotiator in the U.S. Department of Education’s Negotiated Rulemaking process, serving on the Accountability in Higher Education and Access through Demand-Driven Workforce Pell (AHEAD) committee. During the December–January rulemaking session, she represented private, nonprofit institutions. Joanna is known for her collaborative approach and steady leadership. She has extensive experience building teams, developing clear policies, and working through complex regulatory issues, with a consistent focus on integrity and student success.

Stacie Rhodes

Dr. Stacie Rhodes serves as the Director of Training and Development at Liberty University and the Executive Director of the Liberty University Center for Financial Literacy. With experience spanning public accounting, wealth management, higher education, and leadership development, she is passionate about helping individuals and organizations lead with intentionality, integrity, and purpose. Her work focuses on developing leaders, strengthening culture, and creating meaningful growth opportunities that empower others to thrive personally and professionally. Known for her relational approach and strategic perspective, Dr. Rhodes enjoys building meaningful connections, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

Steve Ferro

Steve Ferro serves as the Executive Director of Talent Development at Liberty University, where he leads initiatives in Employee Relations, Performance Management, and Training and 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 and 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 27 years and is the proud father of two children, Vincent and Kate, both of whom attended Liberty University and are now happily married. He 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

Steve Foster is the Executive Vice President of Human Resources at Liberty University, where he 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.

Wesley Terrill

Wesley Terrill is a senior human resource professional with more than thirteen years of progressive experience encompassing employee relations, labor relations, compliance, policy development, organizational leadership, and strategic HR operations. He serves as Director of Employee Relations at Liberty University, providing leadership in employee matters, workplace investigations, labor law compliance, and risk mitigation. A consultant and advisor to senior leaders, he delivers strategic guidance on workforce planning and organizational effectiveness. His work across South Carolina and Georgia has earned regional and national recognition. Wesley’s expertise includes international recruitment, retention, conflict resolution, change management, multisite operations, and project leadership, grounded in principled practice.