Office of the President Home » About » Office of the President Office of the President Greetings from William Jessup University! William Jessup University is experiencing record growth, record accomplishments by our alumni, and increasing impact on our world. Our graduates are transforming the world for the glory of God. William Jessup University is growing fast. We have doubled in size the last three years and are on track to double again during these next few years. We fulfill our mission in the spirit of a family where we love one another and help each other to achieve God’s best in our lives. Our University provides high quality Christ-centered higher education. Affordable excellence is available here at Jessup. We prayed for you. Before we knew your name, and before we even met, we prayed for you. We are looking forward to meeting you as you become part of the Jessup family. You can be part of making history as a graduate of Jessup. We would love to have the opportunity to share in your life as we together seek to glorify God through William Jessup University. John Jackson, Ph.D. President Executive Team Board of Trustees President Dr. John Jackson Prior to joining William Jessup University as its Sixth President in March 2011, John served as the Executive Director of Thriving Churches International and as a Senior Leader of Bayside Church, Granite Bay, California. He is the Founding Pastor of LifePoint Church in Minden, Nevada, and previously was the Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches of the Pacific Southwest (now Transformation Ministries) where he was responsible to serve more than 270 churches in four Western states. John also served as the Senior Pastor and in several staff roles at First Baptist Church of Oxnard and as the Youth Pastor at First Baptist Church of Buena Park. Dr. Jackson earned both his Ph.D. and M.A. in Educational Administration and Organizational Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara; M.A. in Theology (Christian Formation and Discipleship) at Fuller Theological Seminary; and a B.A. in Religion (Christian History and Thought) from Chapman University. His strong background in executive and organizational leadership has given him the opportunity to come alongside high impact churches and leaders in national and global settings to strengthen their organizational leadership and communication skills. John is committed to leverage his Kingdom influence through strategic relationships. Dr. Jackson has written and co-authored seven books: Finding Your Place in God’s Plan, God Size Your Church, Leveraging Your Communication Style, Leveraging Your Leadership Style, Pastorpreneur and High Impact Church Planting, and The Right Choice. Dr. Jackson is married to Pamela Harrison Jackson and they make their home in Rocklin, CA; they have five children, three sons-in-law, and three beautiful granddaughters. Education: Ph.D., M.A., University of California, Santa Barbara | M.A., Fuller Theological Seminary | B.A., Chapman University V.P. of Operations, Chief Operating Officer Judy Rentz Judy Rentz serves as the University’s Chief Operating Officer and has been dedicated to Christ-centered education since 1989. Prior to coming to Jessup, she had the privilege of serving as a faculty member at Capital Christian School for many years. As an educator, her passion has been to develop students from the foundations of faith and truth. Judy’s oversight includes Information Technology Services, Human Resources, Media Services, Facilities, Events and Conference Services, and Campus Safety. Judy and her husband, Eddie, have served in church ministry together for nearly 30 years in a variety of roles. They have three adult children and a son-in-law who have all benefited greatly from an education at William Jessup University. Education: SHRM-SCP 2019 | M.Ed., Grand Canyon University, 2007 | B.A., Point Loma Nazarene University, 1988 V.P. of Finance, Chief Financial Officer Diane Ahn Diane Ahn has been with the University for almost 15 years. She is responsible for all aspects of the University’s fiscal strategy and financial operations. Diane provides strategic management and leadership to the Business Office. She plans and coordinates the preparation of the university’s budget, cash management and provides the financial statement and operational reports to the Executive Team and the Finance and Audit Committees of the Board. Education: M.B.A., William Jessup University, 2018 | B.S., William Jessup University, 2011 V.P. of Resource Development Gordon Flinn Gordon is mission-driven and people-oriented, with a passion for working with leaders, teams, and donors to discover and develop their capacity and effectiveness. He brings broad experience in operations management and systems efficiency from United Parcel Service and over 20 years in Christian Higher Education. Gordon is uniquely suited to integrate systems and drive results that amplify the Mission of Jessup. Gordon and Kris have been married for 39 years, are blessed with three extraordinary, married children, with four beautiful grandchildren (3 girls, 1 boy) and are active in their local church and community. Education: Doctoral Studies, Organization Leadership, Grand Canyon University | M.S. Leadership, Grand Canyon University, 2019 | CFP Professional Education Program, College of Financial Planning, 1998 | M.B.A. Finance, Saint Mary’s College, CA, 1986 | B.A. Accounting, San Francisco State University, 1984 V.P. of Academic Affairs Phil Escamilla Phillip followed a decade of working and consulting with a number of public institutions and advocacy groups at the local, state, and national levels with a career in ministry serving as a pastor, church planter, and church administrator. He is a frequent speaker at churches, conferences, and media events. Education: J.D., Boston College School of Law, 1999 | Ed.M., Harvard University, 1995 | B.A., University of California, Berkeley, 1993 General Counsel, V.P. of Special Projects Scott Fera Mr. Scott Fera serves as the General Counsel/Vice President of Special Projects for the University where he navigates legal, operational, creative, and regulatory issues facing Christ-centered higher education in California. He serves as the chief legal advisor to the University and is responsible for providing general advice and guidance on university policies and procedures from a strategic, legal, governance, and best-practice perspective. Prior to Jessup, he served as Senior Legal Counsel to Educational Media Foundation, the non-profit parent company to the K-LOVE and Air1 Media Networks. He provided advice, counsel, and training on contracts, compliance, employment, religious liberty, music licensing, and litigation management, and actively engaged in strategic planning and the development of additional revenue streams. For 12 years, Scott was a Deputy County Counsel for Sacramento County, representing a wide range of departments, boards, and commissions and prosecuting child abuse and neglect cases on behalf of Child Protective Services; he litigated 400+ court cases and argued at administrative, Superior, and Appellate levels. He has lectured at the University of California, Davis School of Law on Child Welfare, Nonprofit issues, and the Media and teaches in Jessup’s burgeoning Digital Media & Design undergraduate program. Scott received his Juris Doctor degree from Pepperdine University in 2001. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2001 and the California Bar in 2002. Scott and his wife, Megan (a fellow attorney), met and married at Pepperdine. They have three children. He is thankful for the opportunity to be a part of an organization that seeks to educate and equip transformational leaders to engage and redeem the culture for the glory of God. Education: J.D., Pepperdine University School of Law | B.A., University of Michigan V.P. for Educational Effectiveness, Dean, School of the Humanities and the Arts Kay Llovio Kay has a long history at Jessup serving in the following roles: (2012-present) Associate Provost for Student Development (2004-present ) Professor, Practical Theology and Education (1999-present) Accreditation Liaison Officer (2000-2006) Vice President for Academic Affairs (1999-2000) Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs (1990-2001) Professor and Chair, Christian Education Department (1985-1990) Library Director Kay believes education is more than learning job skills. She believes education is about knowledge, attitudes and values. To Kay, education is about being a better person, and she knows no better source for that than the Bible. But even more – what Kay loves about this sacred trust – is its connectedness throughout history (Hebrews 1:1-3; 11-12:2). For Kay, education is about learning who we are – who we can be – and how we want to invest our lives in the context of a history that far surpasses our individual lives. Education: Ed.D., Organization & Leadership, University of San Francisco, Concentrations: Pacific Leadership International, International Adult Learning, Higher Education | M.L.S., San Jose State University, Concentration: Academic Libraries | B.S., Bible and Theology, San Jose Bible College. Concentration, Christian Education Director of Communications and Marketing Aaron Robbins Aaron Robbins serves as the Director of Communications and Marketing at William Jessup University. Utilizing dual degrees in computer science and traditional animation, he tells the story of Jessup’s Christ-centered mission through language, design, and code. In 2014, Aaron began web development and design consulting with Jessup. He accepted a full-time position in the marketing department in 2019 and began serving on the Executive Team in 2020. Aaron has a heart for teaching. He founded a summer game development camp in 2016, giving hundreds of kids the opportunity to take their first steps towards creating games. Before coming to Jessup, Aaron served as a startup consultant and marketing agency head, specializing in mobile platform positioning and development. He is an avid content creator with thousands of followers across multiple channels. Education: Computer Information Systems (CIS) University of Nevada, Reno | Animation, Concentration: Story Development, AM About Mission & Vision Campuses Departments Employment Help Campus Safety Consumer Information Title IX Disclosure Website Support Resources Library Dining Current Students My Jessup Connect Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube © 2021 William Jessup University | Privacy Policy Rocklin Campus: 2121 University Avenue, Rocklin, CA 95765 | (916) 577-2200 San Jose Campus: 3031 Tisch Way, Plaza East, Suite 200, San Jose, CA 95128 | (800) 205-6100 William Jessup University admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally afforded or made available to students at the university. Jessup does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national and ethnic origin, age, disability, or status as a veteran in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, or scholarship and loan programs and athletic and other school-administered programs. × About Academics Admissions & Aid Resources Community Athletics Giving