Portland, Oregon — Multnomah University is excited to announce the promotion of Alin L. Vrancila to Provost following unanimous approval by the Board of Trustees. President Jessica Taylor and the Board selected Vrancila for his exceptional leadership skills, his academic experience, and his dedication to the mission and vision of Multnomah University.

Vrancila has been a vital member of the Multnomah community since 2019, serving as Chief Academic Officer and Academic Dean for Online Learning. In that time, he has become well-respected by his colleagues and students for his knowledge, integrity, and passion for education.

As Provost, Vrancila will partner with the office of the President in strategic innovations, on new initiatives, and advise on issues of general oversight of the entire university. In this expanded role, he will function as a liaison to the community and for internal constituencies on behalf of the Office of the President.

President Taylor expressed her enthusiasm for Vrancila’s appointment, saying, “CAO Vrancila has been a lionhearted leader in his tenure at Multnomah. His relational nature, ability to cross cultural boundaries with confidence and his collaborative leadership with the Board and on the President’s Cabinet has sustained us and strengthened Multnomah. I’m excited for the love he has for Jesus and our faculty, and for the courage and innovation he will bring to this expanded role.”

Vrancila holds a bachelor’s degree from Lucian Blaga University and a master’s degree from Union University. He is completing doctoral work (ABD) with a focus on new pedagogical approaches to online learning. He has been involved in church ministry and international mission work since 2000.

Alin is also the CEO and Founder of Grain for Pain, a non-profit organization operating in South Sudan and Uganda, and he is a founding member of Action Research Network of America, one of the first Action Research professional networks in the US. He has conducted several research projects in the US, Mexico, and Africa on various topics such as online learning, immigration, family, education, and the effects of war on society. He is also the founder of Ready for Online, one of the first instructional design solutions designed for Higher Education.

In his new role as Provost, Vrancila looks forward to working closely with the faculty and administration to ensure that Multnomah University continues to provide an exceptional education to its students, grounded in biblical truth and academic rigor. He stated,

“The role of Provost is a pinnacle of leadership, and I am humbled by the trust bestowed upon me. Multnomah University holds a very special place in my heart, and I am inspired by the transformative impact we have on our students’ lives. I wholeheartedly embrace the responsibility of fostering a vibrant intellectual community, cultivating a culture of innovation, and nurturing an environment that empowers faculty and staff to thrive. Together, we will continue to elevate the caliber of education, nurture critical thinking, shape the minds of future leaders and grow spiritually together. I am privileged to embark on this journey, and I eagerly anticipate the collaborative efforts ahead as we build upon the university’s remarkable legacy and fulfill the mission and vision of Multnomah University.”