Dr. Colleen Derr

Biography

Professional Experience:

• Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer: February 2025 – Present, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Mount Vernon OH
• President: July 2023 – Present, Eastern Nazarene College, Quincy MA
• President: May 2017 – June 2023, Wesley Seminary, Marion IN
• Associate Professor: July 2011 – 2017, Wesley Seminary, Marion IN
• Assistant Dean: July 2015 – May 2017, Wesley Seminary, Marion IN
• Director of Children’s Ministry: Sept 2001 – July 2011, The Wesleyan Church, Noblesville IN
• Assistant Pastor: April 1994 – July 2011, Fall Creek Wesleyan Church, Fishers IN
• Director of Human Resources: June 1999 – Sept. 2001, The Wesleyan Church, Noblesville IN
• Financial Coordinator: Sept 1994 – June 1999, Wesleyan Women International, Indianapolis IN
•  Elementary School Teacher: Sept 1985 – Sept 1994, Coshocton City Schools, Coshocton OH  

Awards and Recognitions:

• Secured million-dollar Lilly grant for development of a Wesleyan resource for lay and ministry leaders (2022)
• Elected to Executive Committee of Fellowship of Evangelical Seminary Presidents (2021). First female to serve on the executive committee. 
• Chaired IWU Presidential Taskforce on Christian Community (2020-2023). 
• Alumnus of the Year, Regent University (Spring 2019).
• IWU Presidential Award for Outstanding Leadership (Fall 2017).

Professional Organizations

• South Shore Chamber of Commerce, South Shore of Boston (2023-2025)
• South Shore Youth Committee Member, Quincy, MA (2023-2025)
• AICUM (Association of Independent Colleges and Universities Massachusetts) (2023-2025)
• NCAA DIII North Atlantic Conference President’s Forum (2023-2025)
• Fellowship of Evangelical Seminary President’s (FESP) (2017-2024)
• CCCU Leadership Development Institute (2021-2022)
• CCCU Advancing Women in Leadership (2020-2025)
• In Trust Center Embedded Seminary CEO Forum (2020-2023)
• Association of Theological Schools President’s Forum (2017-2023)
• Association of Theological Schools Dean Forum (2016) 
• FLAME Faculty: (2015-2018)
• IN Central District of TWC District Board of Ministerial Dev (2015-2018)
• IN Central District Action Committee (2014-2015)
• Advisory Committee for Christian Education Journal (2013-2018)
• Wesleyan Historical Society (2013-2023)
• Wesleyan Theological Society (2012-2025)
• The Wesleyan Church Ordination Taskforce (2012)

Published Works and Presentations:

• An Oak Tree of Expositions: A Collection of Sermons. Editor and Narrator. Wesleyan Publishing House, March 2022. (Book)
• Renewing Communication: Spirit Shaped Approaches for Children, Youth, and Families. InterVarsity Academic Press, January 2020. (Book)
• John Wesley and the Faith Formation of Children. Emeth Press, 2018. (Book)
• “The Role of Families in Christian Education” in Christian Education Journal, Spring 2017.
• Explore. Pre-Teen Discipleship. Wesleyan Publishing House, 2009. (4 book series with teacher guides).

Non-Degree Certificates:

• CCCU Effectiveness in Leadership (2022)
• Harvard School of Leadership Development (2021)
• IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy (2019-2020)

Credentials:

• Ordained elder in The Church of the Nazarene June 2023
• Ordained elder in The Wesleyan Church, July 2005
• State Teaching License: Ohio and Indiana 1993 and 1995

Degrees

• Doctor of Education, May 2013, Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA, Degree: Doctor of Education in Christian Education Leadership
• MA in Ministry Leadership, August 2007, Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, IN
• Master of Education Career Switcher Program, May 1993, Ashland University, Ashland OH
• BS in Christian Education (Graduate summa cum laude), May 1983, United Wesleyan College, Bethlehem PA