About Us
Equipping to learn, serve, and lead
Reach the highest level of leadership education with a PhD in Leadership Studies from CBU. This program is designed for individuals who want to make learning and leading their lifelong purpose. Graduates will attain the theoretical, scientific and practical knowledge for effective, ethical and transformational leadership.
Why Paul and Annie Kienel?
The legacy of Dr. Paul and Annie Kienel is consistent with the highest ideas of leadership and an institute dedicated to leadership studies at CBU. Paul is widely known as an effective, visionary Christian leader and was recognized as the “Christian Leader of the Year” in education at the 1985 Christian World Affairs Conference. He has been a guest at the White House seven times and served as a member of Reagan’s Key Support Group. Paul is the founder and president emeritus of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), the largest organization of Protestant schools in the world. He also co-founded The CoMission, the largest missions cooperative in the history of the Evangelical Christian community, and the Evangelical Christian Credit Union. He has spoken in thirty-five countries and authored ten books. Annie served alongside Paul as Office Manager of ACSI, and has traveled widely with him and been a support to him in his ministry with ACSI. Paul and Annie were married in July of 1957, and have three married daughters, seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
The Institute will collaborate with the various colleges and schools at California Baptist University to:
- Create and host customized leadership development modules, seminars, camps, and retreats for local, regional, national, and international leaders serving in a variety of ministries, organizations, and governmental agencies.
- Develop and coordinate formal mentoring networks and curricula for emerging and established leaders.
- Provide scholarships for students in the undergraduate and graduate programs in leadership studies.
- Discover and disseminate original research and best practices related to leadership from special and general revelation.
- Host forums and develop publications that promote wise debate and judicious engagement on critical social issues.
What are the LI's objectives?
What does the LI logo mean?
The three pillars symbolize a strong foundation for service, learning, and leading built upon a thorough study and teaching of leadership.
The CBU letters in the logo establish the work of the Institute as an extension of CBU's mission and philosophy. The globe reflects the Institute's impact of equipping emerging and established leaders across all sectors in every culture to help people, organizations, and societies around the world to thrive.
The Leadership Institute Team
The professionals that make the Leadership Institute what it is.
Troy Hinrichs, J.D.
Professor of Criminal Justice and Institute Fellow
Phone: (951) 343-4692
Email: thinriches@calbaptist.edu
Office Location: The Point, Room 221
Tad Hove, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean, Management Division
Institute Fellow
Phone: (951) 552-8185
Email: thove@calbaptist.edu
Office Location: Business Building, Room 223
Victoria K. Brodie, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor of Public Relations
Department Chair for Communication Arts
Institute Fellow
Phone: (951) 552-8310
Email: vbrodie@calbaptist.edu
Office Location: James Building, Room 044
Mary Ann Pearson, Ed.D., APR
Professor of Communication and Leadership
Faculty Advisor, Lancer Media Group
Institute Fellow
Phone: (951) 552-8310
Email: mpearson@calbaptist.edu
Office Location: James Building, Room 040
Chris McHorney, Ph.D.
Professor of Political Science
Department Chair, History and Government
Institute Fellow
Phone: (951) 343-4757
Email: cmchorney@calbaptist.edu
Office Location: The Point, Room 111
Josh Dunaj
University Advancement
Director of Development
Phone: (951) 552-8330
Email: jdunaj@calbaptist.edu
Office Location: Business Building, Room 225
Wayne Fletcher, Ed.D.
Associate Provost for Academic Services
Phone: (951) 552-8175
Email: wfletcher@calbaptist.edu
Office Location: Yeager, Room C212
Monica O'Rourke, Ph.D.
Professor of Kinesiology
Institute Fellow
Phone: (951) 343-4267
Email: morourke@calbaptist.edu
Office Location: College of Health Science
Rindi Singh, M.A.
Ph.D. Leadership Studies Program Coordinator
Phone: (951) 343-4612
Email: rsingh@calbaptist.edu
Office Location: College of Health Science
Room A23
Bob Baker, Ph.D.
Senior Partner of Infuse Executive Search
Adjunct Professor of Business
Institute Fellow
Phone: (714) 403-4347
Email: robaker@calbaptist.edu
"As a lifelong learner, I feel that I've found my people; my cohort is extremely diverse and each of us brings industry or domain-specific insight into leadership praxis. I'm so grateful for the program and the training I'm getting."
