Derek Zahnd, Ph.D.
Associate Dean, Associate Professor – School of Theology & Leadership
Education
- Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies 2008 Fuller Theological Seminary
Domains: Globalization, Ecclesiology, and Leadership - Spanish Certificate 1996 Rio Grande Bible Institute
- Master of Divinity 1994 Fuller Theological Seminary
Emphases: Leadership and Intercultural Studies - B.A. in Political Science 1989 University of California Davis
Bio
I lead and I teach.
I am a transformational leader with over 30 years of experience developing and leading non-profit organizations. I have partnered to produce results in the US, India, Cameroon, Uganda, Poland, Canada, Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico, where I lived with my family for ten years.
I come from an education-oriented family: my father was a college professor for 35 years, my mother taught as an adjunct professor and my sister is a middle school teacher. In our family, Christmas looked like a book exchange! My main qualification as an educator is that I am curious.
I am fluent in Spanish. I love traveling, hiking, biking, Thai food, and Mexican food.
At Jessup, I serve as an Associate Dean for the School of Theology & Leadership. I am also the Program Director for the Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL) program. I teach undergraduate and graduate leadership courses. Typically about half of my students serve local churches and half serve in the marketplace.
Undergraduate courses:
- Introduction to Leadership
- Leading Others
Graduate Courses:
- Strategic Leadership Foundations
- Emotional Intelligence and Leadership
- Leadership: Vocation and Calling
- Mission and Justice
Work/Publications
Publications
- Hospitable Orthodoxy. In Timms, D. (Ed.) Choosing Hospitality Over Hostility (pp. 25-36). Oak Tree Press. (2023)
- Hope for Unity and Diversity: How to be a Christian, Without being a Jerk. (2021)
- Upwards: Overcoming Through God’s Word. In Moga, F. (Ed.) You Got This!: Practical Lessons for Purposeful Living. (2019)
- Aspects of the Impact of Globalization on Leadership (doctoral dissertation)
Work
- Associate Dean, School of Theology & Leadership
- Program Director, Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL) program, 2019-present
- Senior Pastor, Sunrise Community Church, Fair Oaks, CA 2013-2018
- Mission Pastor, Creekside Christian Church, Elk Grove, CA 2007-2013
- Missionary Church Planter / Pastor Iglesia Cristiana de Miramar, Guaymas, México 1995-2007
Connect with Derek on his social media below.
