Our Faculty

Evolve into inspiring leaders of faith with our acclaimed faculty.

Our faculty are teacher-scholars: accessible mentors and exceptional educators. The teacher-scholar model is more than an idea. The faculty at the School of Divinity is more than a collection of instructors. Just as you are invested in your education, our faculty are invested in you. Wake Forest is one of only two Top 30 National Universities in which faculty — not graduate assistants — teach all full-credit academic courses. The student-faculty ratio at the School of Divinity is 7 to 1. What you think matters; what you feel matters; what you do matters, and it matters to more than just you. Our faculty are invested in you.

A Snapshot of Our Faculty

The School of Divinity faculty come from 10 states and 2 countries (United States, South Korea), 15 undergraduate colleges and universities (having majored in more than 10 different areas of study), 13 masters programs, and 15 doctoral programs. 29% identify as persons of color and 29% identify as female. They come from 11 religious affiliations and 70% are ordained. Over the last five years they have collectively published over 75 books, chapter contributions, edited volumes, co-edited volumes, and translations.

Meet Our Faculty

To read more about how each of our faculty embody outstanding classroom teaching, student mentoring, creative and engaged scholarship, and commitment to community life click their photo for a complete bio.

Jill Y. Crainshaw, Vice Dean and Professor of Worship and Liturgical Theology
Jill Y. Crainshaw, Vice Dean and Professor of Worship and Liturgical Theology
Elizabeth O’Donnell Gandolfo, Earley Associate Professor of Catholic and Latin American Studies
Elizabeth O’Donnell Gandolfo, Earley Associate Professor of Catholic and Latin American Studies
Gary Gunderson, Professor of Faith and Health of the Public
Gary Gunderson, Professor of Faith and Health of the Public
Melanie L. Harris, Professor of Black Feminist Thought and Womanist Theology | Director of the Food, Health and Ecological Well-Being Program
Melanie L. Harris, Professor of Black Feminist Thought and Womanist Theology | Director of the Food, Health and Ecological Well-Being Program
Derek S. Hicks, Associate Professor of Religion and Culture
Derek S. Hicks, Associate Professor of Religion and Culture
Mark E. Jensen, Teaching Professor of Pastoral Care and Pastoral Theology
Mark E. Jensen, Teaching Professor of Pastoral Care and Pastoral Theology
Kevin Jung, Professor of Theological Ethics and Moral Philosophy, and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
Kevin Jung, Professor of Theological Ethics and Moral Philosophy, and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
Austin Rivera, Assistant Professor of Church History
Austin Rivera, Assistant Professor of Church History
Melva L. Sampson, Assistant Professor of Preaching and Practical Theology
Melva L. Sampson, Assistant Professor of Preaching and Practical Theology
Katherine A. Shaner, Associate Professor of New Testament
Katherine A. Shaner, Associate Professor of New Testament
Corey D.B. Walker, Interim Dean of the Wake Forest University School of Divinity, Wake Forest Professor of the Humanities, and Director of the Program
Corey D.B. Walker, Interim Dean of the Wake Forest University School of Divinity, Wake Forest Professor of the Humanities, and Director of the Program
Neal H. Walls, Associate Professor of Old Testament Interpretation
Neal H. Walls, Associate Professor of Old Testament Interpretation

Postdoctoral Fellows

William Boyce, Faith and Health Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow and Scholar
William Boyce, Faith and Health Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow and Scholar

Emeriti Faculty

Bill J. Leonard, Founding Dean and Professor of Divinity Emeritus (1999-2018)
Bill J. Leonard, Founding Dean and Professor of Divinity Emeritus (1999-2018)

Media Requests

The Office of Communications is responsible for communicating information regarding faculty research, programs, and other news to appropriate media sources. Faculty are available to provide comment for a story or be interviewed (recorded and/or live).  To request, contact Cheryl Walker, director of news and communications for Wake Forest University.