Vandiver Serving as Associate Vice President for CMSE
Posted on: March 1, 2024
Tigerville, SC—Dr. Dallas Vandiver might have a new title at North Greenville University (NGU), but his calling remains the same.
Having served as an assistant professor of Christian Studies at North Greenville University for the past three years, Vandiver is now helping to lead Campus Ministries and Student Engagement (CMSE) as associate vice president.
“In many ways, my role hasn’t changed much. As a professor, my aim is to make disciples of my students—to help them know Jesus, love him, and be equipped to help others do the same,” Vandiver said. “Working in CMSE, I’m now working to give oversight and strategy to the university’s discipleship efforts to help every student hear the gospel. I believe God has called me to make disciples for his glory, and that’s what we’re doing in CMSE.”
A graduate of Mississippi State University, Vandiver has a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a PhD from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
“It is a rarity that you find someone that has grown up around collegiate ministry, has served in traveling ministry teams, has personal musical talent, has a call to teach and preach, has received terminal credentials in theology, and is willing to serve in both academic and operational needs for a university,” said CMSE Vice President Dr. Jared Thomas. “This is exactly what Dr. Vandiver brings to CMSE and NGU.”
“Dr. Vandiver brings a unique set of lived experiences and academic training to this position which will allow him to speak to both the interpersonal ministry and academic needs of the CMSE initiatives,” Thomas continued. “He is positioned well to serve in authentic ways while elevating the caliber of CMSE’s services and initiatives.”
Vandiver will help provide oversight and direction for all student ministry endeavors at NGU, including Chapel, Fount and the university’s Student Leadership Team.
“The CMSE office helps create the culture at NGU. We are nothing less, as a university, than an academic discipleship center,” Vandiver said. “So, how can we help the students be in a spiritual frame of mind to benefit from the academics and pursue others with a love for Jesus? The habits and rhythms of our weekly schedule need to be strategically oriented to help students learn what it looks like to follow Jesus and ultimately be sent out to love their neighbors and be transformational leaders for church and society. I’m excited to be involved in what is already a strong ministry.”
Vandiver said his teaching experience has provided a strong foundation for this next chapter.
“I love to shape the design of a curriculum. I’ve built nine classes since I’ve been on campus,” he said. “What we teach in chapel, fount, and what the student leadership team does in the dorms, provides students with a greenhouse to grow and become who Christ has called them to be.”
Dallas is married to Emily Vandiver. Together they have three daughters: Ruby (11), Betsy (9), and Charlotte (7).
