Executive Cabinet
Troy Bethards, D.B.A.
Interim Provost
Dr. Troy Bethards is the dean of the Robert W. Plaster College of Business and the
College of Professional Programs. He also has served as SBU's interim provost since
July 2022.
Education:
- B.S. in Economics and Business Administration, SBU
- M.B.A, Missouri State University
- D.B.A. with concentration in Finance, Anderson University
Previous work experience:
- SBU faculty member
- Investment advisor representative
- Commodities broker
- Mutual funds representative
Family: Troy and his wife, Monica, have two children, Alyssa (and son-in-law, Reece Tabor) and Mason. They have one granddaughter, Piper.
Darren Crowder, M.A.
Vice President for Enrollment Management
Darren Crowder has led the enrollment management area since August 2014. His areas of responsibility include undergraduate and graduate admissions for all SBU campuses, student retention, and financial aid.
Education:
- B.A. in religious education, SBU, 1998
- M.A. in higher education, University of Louisville, 2015
Previous work experience:
- Director of admissions, SBU, 2005-2014
- Associate director of admissions, SBU, 2002-2005
- Assistant director of admissions, SBU, 2000-2002
- Admissions counselor, SBU, 1998-2000
Family: Darren and his wife, Lisa, live in Bolivar and have two children, Lily and Lauren.
Todd Earl, Ed.D.
Interim Vice President for Marketing, Communications and Graduate Studies
Dr. Todd Earl was named Interim Vice President for Marketing, Communications and Graduate
Studies in January 2022. His areas of responsibility include graduate studies, and
marketing and communications.
Education:
- B.S. in Political Science, Colorado State University
- M.S.E. in Athletic Administration, Southwest Baptist University
- Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership: Higher Education Leadership, Grand Canyon University
Previous work experience:
- Director of Graduate Admissions, SBU, 2015-present
- Adjunct faculty member, SBU, 2016-present
- Resident Director, SBU
- Assistant Basketball Coach, Southwest Baptist University and Harvard University
Family: Todd and his wife, Brittany, live in Bolivar with their son, Peyton.
Ryan Griffith, Ph.D.
Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Chief of Staff
Dr. Ryan Griffith began as Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Chief of Staff
at SBU in August 2022.
Education:
- B.S. in Political Science, Wheaton College
- M.A. in Biblical Exegesis, Wheaton College Graduate School
- M.A. in Biblical and Pastoral Studies, Bethlehem College and Seminary
- Ph.D. in Biblical Spirituality and Church History, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Previous work experience:
- Executive Director, The Gospel Coalition
- Director of Global Training, The Gospel Coalition
- Director of Integrated Curriculum, Bethlehem College and Seminary
- Founding Director of Undergraduate Studies, Bethlehem College and Seminary
- Various faculty roles at Indianapolis Theological Seminary, Bethlehem College and Seminary, University of Northwestern-St. Paul and The Bethlehem Institute
Ken Lilly
Interim CFO and Vice President for Administration
Ken Lilly is a CFO Colleague Senior Adviser and is serving as SBU's interim Chief
Financial Officer and Vice President for Administration.
Ken is a broadly experienced professional with nearly two decades of service as a college CFO and has worked in commercial banking and economic development.
His previous work experience includes working with small to mid-sized commercial lending clients and serving at the Appalachian Bible College. His work at SBU will be a hybrid combination of in-person and remote work.
Ron Miller, M.S.
Vice President for Online Learning
Ron Miller was named SBU's first Vice President for Online Learning in September 2022.
He serves as the executive leader for all SBU online programs and is responsible for
the growth of online learning to increase SBU's global reach and impact.
Education:
- M.S. in International Relations, Troy State University
- B.A. in Political Science, Texas Tech University
- (in progress) Doctor of Public Administration, Liberty University
Previous work experience:
- Online Dean, Liberty University, 2019-2022
- Interim Dean, Liberty University, 2018-2019
- Associate Dean, Liberty University, 2011-2018
- Assistant Professor of Government, Liberty University, 2011-2022
- Senior Director, IT Strategy Management Office, American Red Cross National Headquarters, 2007
- Presidential Appointee, President George W. Bush Administration, 2001-2004
- Chief Information Officer, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- Senior Advisor, Homeland Security Transition Planning Office
- Senior Director, Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- Program Executive Officer for E-Government, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
- Corporate information technology executive, 1992-2001, 2004-2010
- Air Intelligence Officer, U.S. Air Force, 1983-1992
Family: Ron and his wife, Annik, live in Forest, Va., and have three children — Amanda, Briana and Colin — and daughter-in-law, Aurora ("Rory").
Clark Sheehy, M.S.
Director of Athletics
Clark Sheehy has served as SBU's Director of Athletics since July 2022. He also is
the head men's basketball coach, a position he has held at SBU since 2014.
Education:
- M.S. in Health and Physical Education, Texas A&M University-Commerce
- B.S. in Health and Physical Education, John Brown University
Previous work experience:
- Head men's basketball coach, SBU, 2014-present
- Head men's basketball coach, John Brown University, 2007-2014
- Assistant Athletic Director for External Relations, John Brown University, 2009-2014
- Head men's basketball coach, Fresno Pacific University, 2005-2007
- Assistant men's basketball coach, Texas State University, 2000-2005
Family: Clark and his wife, Elisa, live in Bolivar with their two sons, Cameron and Caden John (CJ).