Office of the President

upper campus

Deana Porterfield elected next president of Seattle Pacific University

interim president headshot

Dr. Deana Porterfield was unanimously elected as the next president of Seattle Pacific University. She will assume her duties on July 1, 2023. She is currently the president of Roberts Wesleyan University and Northeastern Seminary at Roberts Wesleyan University. Meet the president-elect here.




Pete C. Menjares SPU interim president

interim president headshot

Dr. Pete Menjares was named interim president of Seattle Pacific University beginning July 1, 2021. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Menjares served as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Vanguard University. Meet the interim president here.




The President’s View: Response magazine

Read what Interim President Menjares shared with Response magazine readers in the most recent issues of SPU’s official magazine.

“Hopeful in the face of challenges,” Fall/Winter 2022

“We are committed to be an intentionally respectful, compassionate, loving, and grace-filled community where students can safely ask tough questions characteristic of a liberal arts education.”

Certain of an uncertain future,” Spring/Summer 2022

“Sometimes we must be willing to walk through the unknown paths, diligently preparing ourselves for a future that’s not always clear to us at each step along the way.”

“The joy of the Lord,” Dec. 2021

“The night has been long, but we can be so grateful for the sunlight and the joy that comes in the morning.”

SPU Presidents

1893–1916
Alexander A. Beers

1916–26
Orrin E. Tiffany

1926–59
C. Hoyt Watson

1959–68
C. Dorr Demaray

1968–82
David L. McKenna

1982–91
David C. Le Shana

1991–94
Curtis A. Martin

1994–95
E. Arthur Self

1995–2012
Philip W. Eaton

2012–21
Daniel J. Martin

2021–
Pete C. Menjares, interim