After an extensive national search in collaboration with FaithSearch Partners, Trinity Western University is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Susan Wendel as provost, beginning January 1, 2026. Dr. Wendel has served as interim provost since August 1, 2025, bringing over 15 years of academic leadership, notable theological expertise, and a strong commitment to advancing Christian postsecondary education.
“It is an honour to work alongside Dr. Wendel. Her presence among us is a testament to God’s goodness,” shared President Todd Martin. He continued,
“I am deeply convinced that her appointment will be remembered as a defining moment in Trinity Western University’s commitment to being a place where faith and reason are brought together in a distinctly Christ-centred way.”
Since joining TWU as Academic Director of the Associated Canadian Theological Schools (ACTS Seminaries) in November 2024, Dr. Wendel has made a significant impact on the academic life of the University. As interim provost, among other key contributions, Dr. Wendel has played a vital role in successfully transitioning Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) into Trinity Western University's official divinity school. Her leadership has been marked by a clear academic vision, a collaborative spirit among her academic colleagues, and a desire to foster meaningful educational experiences that equip students to serve faithfully and effectively in the world.
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve in this role,” remarked Dr. Wendel, reflecting on the responsibility of her new role, “and I am committed to serving our students, faculty, and academic leaders as we work together advancing the mission and vision of Trinity Western.”
As a former dean and associate professor of New Testament at Briercrest Seminary, Dr. Wendel is a seasoned academic leader with almost two decades of experience in Christian higher education, bringing both scholarly expertise and an informed understanding of institutional leadership. She holds a Ph.D. in early Christianity and early Judaism from McMaster University and an M.A. in Theological Studies from Briercrest Seminary.
A deep commitment to Scripture and theological integration shapes Dr. Wendel’s research, which focuses on how early Christ-believers interpreted Jewish scriptures to form identity and practice. Her publications include the monograph Scriptural Interpretation and Community Self-Definition in Luke-Acts and the Writings of Justin Martyr (Brill, 2011), the co-edited volume Torah Ethics and Early Christian Identity (Eerdmans, 2016), and numerous peer-reviewed chapters and articles.
As Provost, Dr. Wendel will serve as TWU’s chief academic officer, overseeing the University’s undergraduate and graduate academic programs, faculty affairs, and research development. In this capacity, she will focus on providing Christ-centred academic leadership while fostering a culture of academic excellence and innovation.
Dr. Wendel’s appointment highlights her exceptional qualifications and her steadfast commitment to Christian higher education. Please join us in congratulating her and praying for her ongoing leadership as she helps lead Trinity Western University into the next chapter of academic and missional growth.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is a global Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students for life. Uniting faith and reason through Christian teaching and scholarship, TWU is a research institution offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in the humanities and sciences as well as in several professional schools. It has campuses in Canada in Langley, Richmond, and Ottawa. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Instagram @trinitywestern, Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn. For media inquiries, please contact: media@twu.ca.