SPRINGFIELD, Missouri – Evangel University President Dr. Mike Rakes recently announced several internal leadership transitions in response to the implementation of several presidential initiatives related to the growth and expansion of the university.
The transitions include the promotion of Dr. Lisa Tyson, dean of the College of Adult and Graduate Studies (CAGS), to the president’s cabinet; Dr. Sarah Walters, Master of Organizational Leadership (MOL) program coordinator, to the position of CAGS associate dean and director of program innovation and development; and Hector Cruz, director of development, to the position of senior director of development. All three leaders are Evangel alums.
Dr. Lisa Tyson
Tyson has served as dean of CAGS since 2017. Prior to her appointment, she served in CAGS director and assistant director roles. She has also been a professor at Evangel since 2009, teaching courses in Personal Leadership, Communications & Community Relations, The Emotionally Intelligent Leader, and Prior Learning Seminar.
In her role on the president’s cabinet, Tyson will directly assist with accelerating Evangel’s online certificate and degree offerings to adult learners and collaborate with university leaders on strategic planning and tracking of key performance indicators.
Tyson is a member of the Christian Adult Higher Education Association and the Missouri Graduate Dean’s Association. She holds a Ph.D. in Global Leadership from Indiana Institute for Technology, and a Master of Organizational Leadership and Bachelor of Arts in Government from Evangel.
Dr. Sarah Walters
Walters most recently served as program coordinator of the MOL degree. She has also served the university as Athletic Training program director, head athletic trainer, and assistant professor of Kinesiology.
In her new role, Walters will focus on managing new program development as the demand for high quality, flexible, online undergraduate and graduate programs continue to grow. She will also oversee CAGS assessment processes and develop and maintain a university-wide dissertation committee training and quality control system.
Walters is a member of the International Leadership Association, Society for Human Resource Management, and the National, Mid-America, and Missouri Athletic Trainers Associations. She holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Regent University, a Master of Organizational Leadership from Evangel, and a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from the University of Central Arkansas.
Hector Cruz
Cruz has served at Evangel since 2009, most recently as director of development in the University Advancement office. He is also an adjunct professor, teaching Personal Leadership courses for CAGS. Prior to this role, he was director of alumni engagement and annual fund and capital campaign manager. He also served in the Enrollment office as a lead financial aid counselor and an admissions counselor.
As senior director of development, Cruz will oversee the day-to-day operations of the University Advancement team and curate new and foster existing relationships with friends and financial supporters of the university. He will also report to the president and cabinet on key performance indicators related to giving, alumni engagement, and special events.
Cruz holds a Green Belt Certification in Lean Six Sigma and is the board president for EnCompass Academy and a board member of Ozarks Teen Challenge. He is currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, Curriculum & Instruction from Evangel. He also holds a Master of Organizational Leadership and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the university.
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Evangel University, with the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (AGTS), is a comprehensive Christian university committed to excellence in educating and equipping students to serve the Church and society globally. Evangel and AGTS serve more than 2,200 students from all 50 states and numerous foreign countries, offering 70 undergraduate majors and 19 master and doctoral degrees.