The President's Office

The President's Office provides leadership, vision, and support to make Southern Adventist University an exceptional place of spiritual and academic growth for students as well as a safe place for parents to entrust their children, a great place for employees to work, an alma mater for alumni to be proud of, an institution of distinction for the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and ultimately, a place of opportunity to connect all on campus with mission, service, and their calling. 

About Ken Shaw, EdD

Ken Shaw, ’80, took office as the 27th president of Southern Adventist University on June 1, 2021. Shaw had previously served for seven years as president of Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, Texas. Prior to that he worked at Florida State University for 25 years in various capacities, from assistant professor of mathematics education to campus dean of Florida State University Panama City and academic dean of the College of Applied Studies. His track record as a leader in higher education includes increasing enrollment, establishing new academic programs, and improving institutional financial stability.

Shaw holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Southern Adventist University, master’s degree in mathematics from Middle Tennessee State University, and doctoral degree in mathematics education from the University of Georgia. 

Shaw is the first Southern president who is also an alum. His entire family also graduated from Southern: his wife, Ann (Kennedy), earned her nursing degree in 1979; their daughter, Kate Myers, earned her associate and bachelor’s degrees in nursing in 2008 and 2009; and their son, Martin, earned his pastoral care degree in 2012.