Executive Administrators

(Dates in parentheses indicate start of service with WJU.)


Bryce Jessup	(1970), President (1984) San Jose Bible College, BTh, 1958; Pepperdine University, BA, 1961; MA, 1968; Northwest Christian College, D.D., 1992. Bryce has served as president of William Jessup University, for 20 years. During his presidency, the University has substantially improved its financial position, achieved regional accreditation, significantly increased enrollment, broadened the curriculum, and moved to Rocklin, CA. Dr. Jessup has worked as a professor, pastor, coach, and Dean of Students. He has been a significant leader in Bay Area pastors groups, the Billy Graham Crusade, and ethnic reconciliation groups. He has published numerous articles on leadership and church issues, has served on many non-profit boards, and was named “Man of Valor” by the Racial Reconciliation Committee of Santa Clara Valley African-Americans in 1999.
David Nystrom	(2005) Vice President for Academic Affairs (2006) University of California, Davis, BA, 1981; Fuller Theological Seminary, MDiv., 1986; University of California, Davis, Ph.D, 1992. As an educator in both church and the academy, David is particularly interested in the interplay of head and heart, of what Jesus meant when he said that if you wish to do good, become “the right sort of tree.” He is a New Testament specialist, the author of two books (The NIV Application Commentary on James and The History of Christianity) and many articles on the New Testament and Roman history. He and his wife, Kristina, are the proud parents of Annika. Prior to joining WJU David was professor of New Testament at North Park University in Chicago. David is an adjunct faculty member with Fuller Theological Seminary in Northern California.
Joseph D. Womack	(1997) Vice President for Advancement Northwest Christian College, AA, 1989; Texas Christian University, BS, 1991; Azusa Pacific University, M.Ed, 1998; Azusa Pacific University, Ed.D, 2009. Joe considers his role in promoting the values of Christian higher education in general, and the merits of William Jessup University in particular both a blessing and call. Short of the latest news concerning his four sons, the life changing experience offered students at WJU is his favorite discussion topic as he represents the University in a variety of public settings. Joe currently leads the University’s efforts with regard to fund-raising (annual, planned, and capital giving), strategic planning, as well as public, media, alumni and church relations. He additionally serves as the Executive Director of the William Jessup University Foundation. Joe previously served as Vice President for Advancement & Student Life (1999-2004) and Dean of Students (1997-1999) at San Jose Christian College, Joe served in a number of capacities at California Baptist University in Riverside, CA and Northwest Christian College in Eugene, OR.
Gene De Young	(2003), Vice President for Finance and Administration (2004) Azusa Pacific University, BA, 1982; California State University, Sacramento, MBA, 1993; CIMA. Gene comes to WJU following 20 years in the private and public business sectors. He has held partner positions in both retail and real estate development entities as well as consulted in the financial services sector. Gene also served as an adjunct faculty member in the College of Business Administration at California State University, Sacramento
Paul Blezien	(2004) Vice President for Student Development University of Wisconsin, BS, 1980; Ball State University, MA, 1985; Azusa Pacific University, Ed.D, 2004. Paul sees the students at WJU as a sacred trust from their families and from God and he strives to be a faithful steward of that sacred trust. He is committed to providing the leadership necessary to foster a genuine Christian learning community at WJU. Combining out of class experiences in worship, outreach, discipleship, athletics, social activities, and leadership with the excellent classroom instruction at WJU helps students discern the call God has upon their life while simultaneously preparing them to respond to that calling. Prior to joining the administration of WJU, Paul served in a variety of leadership positions at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa and the University of Wisconsin System. He also serves as an adjunct instructor in graduate programs at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA and Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, CA. He has been a member of The Association for Christians in Student Development (ACSD) and currently sits on the Executive Committee of that organization.

Bryce Jessup

(1970), President (1984)
San Jose Bible College, BTh, 1958; Pepperdine University, BA, 1961; MA, 1968; Northwest Christian College, D.D., 1992.

Bryce has served as president of William Jessup University, for 20 years. During his presidency, the University has substantially improved its financial position, achieved regional accreditation, significantly increased enrollment, broadened the curriculum, and moved to Rocklin, CA. Dr. Jessup has worked as a professor, pastor, coach, and Dean of Students.

He has been a significant leader in Bay Area pastors groups, the Billy Graham Crusade, and ethnic reconciliation groups. He has published numerous articles on leadership and church issues, has served on many non-profit boards, and was named “Man of Valor” by the Racial Reconciliation Committee of Santa Clara Valley African-Americans in 1999.

David Nystrom

(2005) Vice President for Academic Affairs (2006)
University of California, Davis, BA, 1981; Fuller Theological Seminary, MDiv., 1986; University of California, Davis, Ph.D, 1992.

As an educator in both church and the academy, David is particularly interested in the interplay of head and heart, of what Jesus meant when he said that if you wish to do good, become “the right sort of tree.” He is a New Testament specialist, the author of two books (The NIV Application Commentary on James and The History of Christianity) and many articles on the New Testament and Roman history. He and his wife, Kristina, are the proud parents of Annika.

Prior to joining WJU David was professor of New Testament at North Park University in Chicago. David is an adjunct faculty member with Fuller Theological Seminary in Northern California.

Joseph D. Womack

(1997) Vice President for Advancement
Northwest Christian College, AA, 1989; Texas Christian University, BS, 1991; Azusa Pacific University, M.Ed, 1998; Azusa Pacific University, Ed.D, 2009.

Joe considers his role in promoting the values of Christian higher education in general, and the merits of William Jessup University in particular both a blessing and call. Short of the latest news concerning his four sons, the life changing experience offered students at WJU is his favorite discussion topic as he represents the University in a variety of public settings.

Joe currently leads the University’s efforts with regard to fund-raising (annual, planned, and capital giving), strategic planning, as well as public, media, alumni and church relations. He additionally serves as the Executive Director of the William Jessup University Foundation. Joe previously served as Vice President for Advancement & Student Life (1999-2004) and Dean of Students (1997-1999) at San Jose Christian College, Joe served in a number of capacities at California Baptist University in Riverside, CA and Northwest Christian College in Eugene, OR.

Gene De Young

(2003), Vice President for Finance and Administration (2004)
Azusa Pacific University, BA, 1982; California State University, Sacramento, MBA, 1993; CIMA.

Gene comes to WJU following 20 years in the private and public business sectors. He has held partner positions in both retail and real estate development entities as well as consulted in the financial services sector. Gene also served as an adjunct faculty member in the College of Business Administration at California State University, Sacramento

Paul Blezien

(2004) Vice President for Student Development
University of Wisconsin, BS, 1980; Ball State University, MA, 1985; Azusa Pacific University, Ed.D, 2004.

Paul sees the students at WJU as a sacred trust from their families and from God and he strives to be a faithful steward of that sacred trust. He is committed to providing the leadership necessary to foster a genuine Christian learning community at WJU. Combining out of class experiences in worship, outreach, discipleship, athletics, social activities, and leadership with the excellent classroom instruction at WJU helps students discern the call God has upon their life while simultaneously preparing them to respond to that calling.

Prior to joining the administration of WJU, Paul served in a variety of leadership positions at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa and the University of Wisconsin System. He also serves as an adjunct instructor in graduate programs at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA and Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, CA. He has been a member of The Association for Christians in Student Development (ACSD) and currently sits on the Executive Committee of that organization.

Administrators


Kay Llovio	(1985) Associate Dean for Educational Effectiveness (2006) San Jose Bible College, BS, 1985; San Jose State University, MLS, 1987; University of San Francisco, Ed.D, 1998. Kay is passionate about Christian higher education and the transformation which takes place in students’ lives. Kay formerly served WJU as Professor and Chair of the Christian Education department for ten years and as Library Director for five years before assuming her current position, first in an interim role, in 1999. As VPAA for the last seven years, Llovio has provided academic leadership in spearheading a comprehensive review of the curriculum, of degree completion and off-campus programs; interacting with the state approval agency;. and directing efforts in the regional accreditation process as Accreditation Liaison Officer. Llovio has been published in the Christian Education Journal, High Plains Applied Anthropologist, and Evangelical Dictionary of Christian Education.

Kay Llovio

(1985) Associate Dean for Educational Effectiveness (2006)
San Jose Bible College, BS, 1985; San Jose State University, MLS, 1987; University of San Francisco, Ed.D, 1998.

Kay is passionate about Christian higher education and the transformation which takes place in students’ lives.

Kay formerly served WJU as Professor and Chair of the Christian Education department for ten years and as Library Director for five years before assuming her current position, first in an interim role, in 1999. As VPAA for the last seven years, Llovio has provided academic leadership in spearheading a comprehensive review of the curriculum, of degree completion and off-campus programs; interacting with the state approval agency;. and directing efforts in the regional accreditation process as Accreditation Liaison Officer. Llovio has been published in the Christian Education Journal, High Plains Applied Anthropologist, and Evangelical Dictionary of Christian Education.