Concordia University Irvine Appoints New Provost
IRVINE, Calif.—May 10, 2016—Officials at Concordia University Irvine (CUI) announced the appointment of new Provost and Executive Vice President Dr. Peter Senkbeil effective July 1. Senkbeil, who has been serving as Associate Provost of the private four-year university since 2006, replaces outgoing Provost Dr. Mary Scott.
Senkbeil, who joined Concordia 24 years ago as a theatre professor, most recently served as associate provost and vice president of academic affairs. In his new role, Senkbeil will serve as the university's chief academic officer, overseeing all aspects of curriculum and faculty and supervising the deans of Concordia's five schools. His appointment was affirmed by the university's Board of Regents.
"Dr. Senkbeil is an exceptional Christian scholar, teacher and administrator, and we know that the Lord will bless his work as he assumes his new position," said Concordia University President Kurt Krueger. "As Provost, he will oversee the university's growth into new areas of study, and will help ensure that our current academic programs maintain their high standards of quality."
As a senior administrator at Concordia for the last 10 years, Senkbeil shared responsibilities with the provost to oversee academic programs for the university. Prior to his administrative responsibilities, the Orange resident served as a full-time faculty member of the Theatre Department where he taught theatre courses, directed and produced plays, and served as a division chair for both humanities and fine arts. He is also the recipient of the Excellence in Education Award given by the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, a program dedicated to improving the quality of college theatre for college and university theatre students nationwide since 1969.
"I'm honored and humbled to be chosen as Concordia's next provost. It will be a privilege to take up the mantle of academic leadership from my friend and mentor, Mary Scott," said Senkbeil. "The university is in a very strong position today; I look forward to working with our administration, faculty and staff to build on our successes."
Senkbeil earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in Theatre and Drama from Northwestern University after earning his B.A. in Communication and Theatre from Concordia University Chicago.
Senkbeil replaces outgoing Provost Dr. Mary Scott who has accepted a position in Shanghai, China to serve as head of Concordia International School, which like CUI, is part of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Scott, an Irvine resident, joined Concordia, then known as Christ College Irvine, 30 years ago. She established key initiatives, including the Master of Arts in International Studies (MAIS) program, and is the former athletics director. She also served as the head women's volleyball coach and the first women's intercollegiate basketball coach.
About Concordia University Irvine
Concordia University Irvine (CUI) is a private non-profit Lutheran Christian four-year university that prepares students for their vocations—their calling in life. Concordia offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in education, nursing, theology, business, and athletic administration. CUI's undergraduate program is distinctive because of its nationally recognized core curriculum, Enduring Questions and Ideas, and its Lutheran heritage that provides a thoughtful and caring Christian community that lives out the theology of "Grace Alone. Faith Alone." Concordia is a U.S. News Top Tier Regional University and has been named by The Chronicle of Higher Education as one of the fastest growing private nonprofit master's institutions. Marking its 40th anniversary this year, the university enrolls over 4,000 students annually and is in year two of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II Membership Process.
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