Six scholars appointed to Southwestern Seminary faculty

Six scholars representing an “impressive array of academic credentials coupled with teaching and ministry experience” have been appointed to the faculty of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, President Adam W. Greenway announced today. 

“I am pleased to announce the appointment of six scholars to our already stellar faculty,” said Greenway. “Each person brings to Seminary Hill an impressive array of academic credentials coupled with teaching and ministry experience that will greatly benefit our students and entire seminary community. I want to particularly commend our deans as well as our interim provost for their efforts in recruiting these scholars to our faculty. I look forward to their serving with us as we enter the new academic year together.”

Ashley Allen, Jon Okinaga, Jacob Shatzer, and Travis H. Trawick will assume teaching responsibilities with the Fall 2021 semester, while J. Daniel Hays and J. Scott Duvall will begin their assignments with the Spring 2022 semester.

“We are genuinely excited about each of these new faculty members who will be joining the Southwestern community in the forthcoming academic year,” said David S. Dockery, interim provost and distinguished professor of theology. 

“Drs. Allen, Okinaga, and Trawick bring a love for students to the classroom while Dr. Shatzer, as demonstrated by his publications, brings a commitment to helping all of us better connect our foundational commitments in Christian Theology and Christian Ethics with the many challenging issues in our contemporary culture,” said Dockery. “Drs. Hays and Duvall are highly respected Southwestern alums who are well known for their years of teaching, research, writing, and scholarship in the field of biblical studies and biblical theology. Their experience and expertise will strengthen the academic mission of the Southwestern community.”

The new faculty appointees represent a wide range of academic credentials and ministry experience including in the local church, the mission field, and denominational life.

Ashley Allen, named director of news and information in June, has been appointed as assistant professor of women’s ministries in the Jack D. Terry School of Educational Ministries. Prior to serving at Southwestern Seminary, Allen served with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina for over a decade as senior consultant for women’s ministry. Previously, she served as an adjunct professor of women’s ministry at Southwestern Seminary, as well as at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She earned a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Texas at Austin (2000), and her M.A. in Christian Education (2003) and Ph.D. in Administration (2009) both from Southwestern Seminary.

Jonathan Okinaga has been appointed assistant professor of biblical counseling in the Terry School. Okinaga earned a B.A. in Religion from Vanguard University (2014), and his M.A. in Biblical Counseling (2015) and Ph.D. in Biblical Counseling (2019) both from Southwestern Seminary. He has served as an adjunct instructor in biblical counseling at Southwestern Seminary and an associate pastor of Sanctuary Church in San Juan Capistrano, California. Okinaga is the author of several books, including My Loved One is an Addict. Now What?

Jacob Shatzer has been appointed as associate professor of Christian ethics in the School of Theology. Shatzer will also continue serving as assistant provost, associate dean of the School of Theology and Missions, and associate professor of theological studies at Union University. He has published on topics including theological hermeneutics and posthumanism. Shatzer earned his B.A. from Union University (2007), his M.Div. from Southern Seminary (2009), and his Ph.D. from Marquette University (2014). He also serves as a teaching fellow for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC).

Travis H. Trawick, who was appointed associate provost in June, has been named assistant professor of theology in the School of Theology. Trawick has previously served Southwestern Seminary as vice president, associate vice president, and development officer in the area of institutional advancement. He earned a B.S. in informational studies/sciences from Florida State University (2003), and his M.Div. (2008) and Ph.D. in systematic theology (2021) both from Southwestern Seminary. Trawick received the LifeWay Pastoral Leadership Award during his M.Div. student days.

J. Daniel Hays has been appointed senior professor of Old Testament in the School of Theology. Hays has been a faculty member at Ouachita Baptist University since 1992, serving as dean of the Pruet School of Christian Studies and professor of biblical studies. Prior to his service at OBU, Hays and his wife, Donna, were missionaries to Ethiopia. He earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering from New Mexico State University (1976), his Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary (1980), and his Ph.D. from Southwestern Seminary (1991). 

J. Scott Duvall has been appointed senior professor of New Testament in the School of Theology. Duvall has served on faculty at Ouachita Baptist University as professor New Testament and the J. C. and Mae Fuller Chair of Biblical Studies. Duvall earned his B.A. in Business Administration and Economics from OBU (1980) and is a two-time graduate of Southwestern Seminary (M.Div., 1984; Ph.D., 1991).

“It is truly a joy to welcome this group of men and women, in addition to the new faculty members previously announced in the spring, to service at Southwestern Seminary,” said Dockery.