Biography

President Mark Husbands, PhD

“Christian learning is a remarkable gift and calling. Christians see the world from the perspective of the person and work of Christ as set out in Scripture and summarized in the historic Christian creeds and confessions. Precisely because 'He is before all things, and in him all things hold together' (Col 1:17), we are called to value human learning and culture. Like Calvin, we are moved by the confession that the world is the 'theatre of God’s glory' and we thus experience the liberal arts and professional studies as joyful, freeing, and life-giving domains in which to learn, worship, and prepare for lives of meaningful service and impact.”

— Mark Husbands, PhD, President & Vice-Chancellor of Trinity Western University


As Trinity Western University’s fifth president and vice chancellor, Mark Husbands is wholeheartedly committed to advancing the mission of a university where people love Christ, love the gospel, and—through Christlike service—seek to use their gifts to transform the world. 

A graduate of York University in Toronto, Dr. Husbands earned a bachelor of arts in religious studies with a minor in music. At the University of Toronto, he completed a master’s degree writing a thesis on the language philosophy of Ludwig Wittgenstein and Martin Heidegger and launched the academic journal Prolegomena. Dr. Husbands obtained his doctorate in Christian theology from the University of St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto (Toronto School of Theology). While working under the supervision of one of the world’s leading Christian theologians, the late John Webster, he completed a dissertation on Karl Barth’s ethics of prayer. Committed to integrating faith and reason, Dr. Husbands has published six edited volumes demonstrating the intellectual, ecclesial, and moral significance of the theology of Karl Barth, world Christianity, political and moral theology.  

Dr. Husbands came to Trinity Western University in 2019 with an established record of successful academic and institutional leadership, scholarship, and significant experience as a Reformed theologian. He arrived at TWU having taught at Tyndale Seminary, Wheaton College, and Hope College and after his role as vice president of Academic Affairs at Northwestern College. Motivated to help students connect their faith and learning to the deepest needs and challenges of the world, Dr. Husbands has enriched the lives of many students throughout his over 25 years of teaching and academic leadership. 

In keeping with his strong conviction that a university should strive to be student focused in all areas, Dr. Husbands led Trinity Western in the process of creating a University vision statement to complement the mission statement already in place. With the newly adopted vision that “Every graduate is equipped to think truthfully, act justly, and live faithfully for the good of the world and the glory of God,” the president’s focus on identifying TWU as a global Christian university with a view to the future has been embraced by students and faculty alike. 

Dr. Husbands has an extensive background in overseeing and managing the budgets of academic institutions, and in this regard, his leadership at TWU has led to an elimination of all bank debt and an addition of $14.7 million to the University endowment. In a similar vein, Dr. Husbands’ “job to be done” philosophy for student-focused initiatives has brought about further recognition of Trinity Western as a research university as well as new programs in graduate and doctoral studies. 

The president officially began his tenure at Trinity Western University on July 1, 2019. Dr. Husbands believes that Trinity Western offers students an unparalleled opportunity to connect knowledge, skills, faith, and purpose; in short, to face the world fearlessly, faithfully, and with joyful confidence in the light and truth of the gospel.