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As part of the long-term work to strengthen Auburn’s core, clarify its mission, and secure its future, President Jordan-Simpson and the Board have together mapped a leadership transition that builds on the strategic groundwork of recent years. With confidence in the road ahead, we share that President Jordan-Simpson will step down at the conclusion of this strategic cycle in 2027, following a deliberate and collaborative transition process grounded in Auburn’s mission and values.
Effective July 1, 2025, we celebrate the appointment of Rev. Dr. Patrick B. Reyes as Auburn’s Executive Vice President & Dean. A visionary scholar and trusted leader, Dr. Reyes has already played a pivotal leadership role, partnering with the President and Board to reimagine what a 200-year-old seminary can offer a rapidly changing world. He will steward Auburn’s three cornerstone portfolios of faith-leadership formation, field-advancing research, and storytelling and narrative change.
Over the next year, Dr. Reyes will work alongside President Jordan-Simpson and the Board to finalize and implement Auburn’s next business plan. Following Auburn’s Heal the World Summit in June 2026, President Jordan-Simpson will take a sabbatical, during which Dr. Reyes will serve as Acting President. Upon President Jordan-Simpson’s return in September 2026, they will share executive responsibilities.
With the Board’s support, Dr. Reyes will succeed President Jordan-Simpson as Auburn’s 17th President on July 1, 2027. We are excited that they will be documenting this model of shared leadership to serve the wider field.
Why This Matters
President Jordan-Simpson has led Auburn Theological Seminary to embody healing-centered leadership during a time of deep social uncertainty. This succession plan is a faithful act of leadership in itself—built on transparency, foresight, and love for the community. By planning openly and well in advance, we are:
Demonstrating Healing-Centered Leadership
Together, Emma and Patrick have modeled a leadership ethos grounded in relationship, transparency, and shared decision-making—strengthening Auburn’s governance, organizational structure, and financial foundation.
Securing Generational Strength
This thoughtful transition ensures continuity of wisdom, mission, and momentum—preparing future leaders to inherit an institution that is financially sound, justice-rooted, and prepared for tomorrow’s challenges.
Modeling Best Practices for the Field
As seminaries and nonprofits across the country navigate leadership changes, Auburn offers a living example of succession rooted in faithfulness — an approach worth sharing widely.
When leaders plan for tomorrow while tending to the well-being of people today, communities thrive. That is the legacy we are shaping at Auburn — with your partnership —and it will serve rising generations for years to come.
Auburn's future is being built today. To ensure this leadership transition is strong and that Auburn continues to thrive, we invite your partnership. Please consider a generous gift to Auburn in this season of planning and promise. Together, we will keep healing-centered leadership alive for a world that desperately needs it.
With deep gratitude,
Rev. Emma Jordan-Simpson
President
Auburn Theological Seminary
Dr. Prabhjot Singh
Chair, Board of Directors
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