At Life Pacific University, each year one full-time faculty member representing the University is chosen as Faculty Member of the Year. This year, it is LPU’s distinguished honor to announce Deb Baker, Ph.D. as this year’s Faculty of the Year.
Faculty of the Year – Deb Baker PhD., M.S.W.Associate Professor of Human Development & Psychology 
Dr. Daniel Ruarte, LPU Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs says “We congratulate Dr. Baker on this well-deserved recognition. She is a dedicated professor in the Department of Counseling and Psychology serving our on-campus students in our Human Development & Psychology Major. She loves to support students and engages in multiple activities on campus.”
In addition, one adjunct faculty member per program (Traditional Undergraduate, Online Undergraduate, Online Graduate, and Virginia Campus), is chosen as the year’s Distinguished Adjunct Faculty Member. LPU is proud to announce our distinguished adjuncts:
TUG – Christine Mina Tsao, M.A. Adjunct Professor for Human Development Psychology 
Carissa Hawksworth, Dean School of Arts & Sciences says “Professor Mina Tsao goes to great lengths to connect with her students and ensure that they are excelling in both their courses and their lives. Her clear communication, detailed instruction and caring demeanor make her a favorite of many”.
OUG – Jennifer Thigpenn, M.Div Adjunct Professor for Biblical Studies
Dr. Dorothy Kropf, Dean of Online Instruction says”Jenn is a wonderful professor. She works tirelessly to ensure her students are educated with excellence in the classroom and through active relationships and mentorships. She is a gift to our Students and our University”
GRAD – Dan Stewart, PhD. Adjunct Professor for the Masters in Strategic Leadership Program
Dr. Remi Lawanson, Associate Dean for Leadership Studies says, “Dr. Dan Stewart demonstrates excellence in the classroom as reflected in students’ feedback and course evaluation for the Class he has been teaching in the MASL program for over seven years. His extraordinary care with mentoring in the lives of our students has helped in equipping them for the next career and ministry seasons of their lives. It has also contributed to strengthening the MASL students’ retention. It is on record that Dr. Dan Stewart’s tenure as LPU president brought significant contributions to the growth and prosperity of the University”.
LPU-VA – Jacob DePriest, M.A. Adjunct Professor for Life Pacific University, Virginia campus.
Ryan Lytton, M.A., Assistant Professor and Director of Academic Services at Life Pacific University Virginia says, “Jacob is a campus favorite. Since his first semester, students have requested that he teach more classes so they can spend more time with him. He’s an LPU alum, and as his former professor, I couldn’t be prouder of him”.
Each of these honors is awarded for one or more of the following reasons:
- Excellence in the classroom
- Outstanding research achievements
- Significant involvement in community and ministry activities
- Distinguished campus leadership achievement
- Extraordinary care and mentoring in the lives of our students
- Significant contributions to the growth and prosperity of the University
Congratulations to all recipients of these honors this year! LPU is blessed to have each of these men and women in the community.
