Mark Muha, who currently serves as the vice president of student life and dean of students at Trinity International University in Illinois, will assume the role of vice president for Student Development on July 1, 2023. Biola’s former vice president for Student Development, André Stephens, left the university and assumed the presidency of Fresno Pacific University on July 1, 2022. Since then, Dean of Student Wellness Lisa Igram has served as interim vice president of Student Development. 

CONNECTING WITH BIOLANS

According to a letter from Biola president Dr. Barry Corey, Muha is an articulate speaker with a willingness to learn and a love for students. 

“Dr. Muha is articulate in his leadership, visionary in his approach, engaging with his colleagues and mature beyond his years,” Corey said in the letter. “His love for students is evident. Among the many attributes that stood out to those who interviewed him during his campus visit were Dr. Muha’s articulate responses, his self-awareness, his willingness to learn, his inspiring presence and his passion for student development. Finally and importantly, his love for the Lord was abundantly evident.” 

In the letter, Corey quoted Muha as saying that he loves Christian higher education and is looking forward to arriving in California with his family. Muha pointed to sports matches, the dining hall and campus events as places where he wants to connect with Biola students. 

“It is my hope to build on the good work of my predecessors in this role and partner with the campus community, especially the incredible members of the student development department as we continue to serve the Biola students in innovative and supportive ways,” Muha said in the letter. 

MUHA’S BACKGROUND

According to his LinkedIn, Muha earned three degrees from Cornerstone University, a Christian school in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Muha received his Bachelors of Science in Youth Ministry and Bible, Masters of Science in Management and Ed.D in Organizational Leadership and Development. Muha is also a certified Title IX deputy coordinator and investigator. 

According to a news brief published by Trinity International University, Muha sees Christian higher education as playing an essential role in society. In the brief, Muha encouraged believers to hold tightly to Scripture and engage with culture by living out their faith. 

“With pressure from all sides to conform to a specific platform or partisan views, I believe it is the challenge and opportunity to step into that unique tension and hold firm — not to a position that avoids conflict by refusing to engage, but to a shared commitment to the example we see in Scripture of what it means to live out our faith,” Muha said in the Trinity news brief.