Dyson Named VP for Intercultural Leadership/Church Relations

Reverend Gregory Dyson, the Special Assistant to the President for Intercultural Initiatives at Taylor University for the past two years, has been named Vice President for Intercultural Leadership and Church Relations.

The appointment was announced by Taylor’s Interim President Dr. Paige Comstock Cunningham and took effect on June 1.

Dyson came to Taylor after serving as Director of Intercultural Leadership at Cedarville University, his alma mater. He was also the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of London, Ohio. Prior to those appointments, Dyson served on the strategic team for the Luis Palau Evangelistic Association and founded the Lion's Den Youth Outreach Center (now the Hope For Kids Den), in Indian Orchard, Massachusetts. Additionally, he served at Springfield College (Massachusetts) as the Evangelical Protestant Chaplain, and Word of Life Bible Institute as the Dean of Admission.

He holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Cairn University, a BA in Bible from Cedarville University, and a Diploma from Word of Life Bible Institute. He also was ordained as a minister in the American Baptist Church, Springfield, Massachusetts.

Cunningham said Dyson’s appointment marks both an institutional commitment to Taylor’s ongoing diversity efforts and an acknowledgement of the success Dyson has achieved during his service. His position will more fully integrate attention to expanding ethnic and international diversity throughout all areas of the university.

Dyson will continue the creation and implementation of a strategic plan for diversity and intercultural initiatives. He will also oversee Taylor’s Office of Intercultural Programs (OIP), and a newly established Office for Church Relations. Dyson will continue to be a member of Taylor’s Senior Leadership Team.

“Gregory Dyson is one of our community’s most loved and well-respected leaders. He is a loving and powerful voice for Taylor’s black, international, and multiethnic student body,” said Cunningham. “Gregory has consistently been the voice at the table who has challenged and encouraged us in our efforts to ensure that every woman and man who trusts Taylor University for their education fully realizes and benefits from Taylor’s transformational educational and discipleship experience. We are genuinely excited to see what God will accomplish through his efforts.”

 “I am committed to Taylor because I believe in our mission to educate young women and men to be servant-leaders who make a difference in our world, and because of Taylor’s unique non-denominational, Christ-centered approach to education coupled with a desire institutionally to live out our vision across the street and around the world,” Dyson said.

“We live in turbulent times that call for universities to have clarity of purpose and the ability grow in every way, including ethnically. I look forward in working with the Taylor University faculty, students, and staff for a strong and hopeful tomorrow,” he added.