Dr. Keith Anderson, Northwestern College’s dean of spiritual formation and vocation and director of the Lilly Grant, has resigned to become the senior vice president of academic affairs and academic dean at Mars Hill Graduate School in Seattle. He will begin his new duties on July 1.
Mars Hill is a 10-year-old institution offering a Master of Divinity degree, master’s degrees in counseling psychology and Christian studies, and certificates in spiritual direction and domestic violence advocacy. About 250 students are enrolled.
“It’s a fresh opportunity for me to give major, shaping leadership to a whole different level of higher education than I’ve ever worked with,” says Anderson. “There are some very important new initiatives they’re working on in spiritual formation that I’m excited to be involved in.”
At Mars Hill, Anderson will serve on the senior leadership team and oversee development of the curriculum, faculty, learning outcomes and teaching goals. He will have administrative responsibility with key academic offices such as the library, registrar, accreditation and assessment, and he will teach spirituality, spiritual formation, and history of spirituality.
Anderson joined Northwestern’s administration in 2002, serving as interim chaplain. He became dean of spiritual formation and director of the Lilly Grant the following year.
“Keith has served us with diligence, wisdom and compassion,” says Dr. Bruce Murphy, Northwestern’s president. “We will miss him greatly.”
“I’m pleased that we have seen significant progress in moving vocation into the fabric of Northwestern and deepening conversations about multicultural issues,” says Anderson in review of his time at the college. “One of my great memories will be the relationships I’ve established with other members of the Administrative Council. It’s an unusual group of people who are deeply committed to the students of Northwestern.”
A senior fellow for spiritual formation for the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU), Anderson received the organization’s Dana Walling Award for Excellence in Campus Ministry in 2004. Anderson was dean of campus ministry at the University of Sioux Falls from 1984 to 1990 and dean of spiritual formation at Minnesota’s Bethel University from 1990 until 2002.
Anderson is the author of five books published by InterVarsity Press, including “Spiritual Mentoring: A Guide for Those Giving and Receiving Direction” and “What They Don’t Always Teach You at a Christian College.” He earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from George Fox University, a Master of Divinity degree from Bethel Theological Seminary, and a bachelor’s degree from Bethel University.
