UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP

DR. JOHN MARK YEATS

PRESIDENT

Dr. John Mark Yeats serves as the 11th president of Corban University. He holds an unswerving commitment to Corban’s mission to educate Christians who will make difference in the world for Jesus Christ. He joined Corban University on July 1, 2023, after ten years serving Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Spurgeon College (Kansas City, Missouri) in a multifaceted role as Vice President of Student Services, Dean of Students and Student Success, and Professor of Church History.  

Dr. Yeats is known for his innovative and forward-thinking approach to leadership, balanced with a strong pastoral presence. While he has worked in Christian higher education for nearly two decades in administrative and faculty roles, Yeats also brings significant experience as a lead pastor and church consultant. His diverse background in Christian higher education, and experience in pastoral leadership, including lead pastor, worship pastor, youth pastor and church consultant makes him well-equipped to lead Corban in this next phase of its history. 

Dr. Yeats holds a Ph.D. in Church History from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and degrees from Southern Seminary, Oxford University, and Criswell College. He also attended the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is the author of four books including: Franchising McChurch: Feeding our Obsession with Easy Christianity; The Time is Come: The Rise of British Missions to the Jews, 1808-1818; and Worldviews: Think for Yourself about How We See God. 

“We are excited about Corban and maintaining our faithfulness to the Gospel and to the Word of God as we train the next generation to make a difference in the world for Jesus Christ,” Yeats says. 

Dr. Yeats is married to Angie and together they have four children: Briley, Sean, Cadie, and Jackson. 

Dr. Thomas Cornman

Senior Vice President and Provost
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  • B.S. Bible Ministries, Cairn University, Langhorne, PA
  • M.Div. Church History, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, La Mirada, CA
  • M.A. Religion, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
  • Ph.D. U.S. History to 1877, University of Illinois, Chicago

Dr. Cornman was appointed by Corban’s Board of Trustees to serve as Interim President, effective May 8, 2022.

He joined Corban University as Provost in 2019, having previously served as Vice President and Dean of the Undergraduate School at Moody Bible Institute (Chicago, 2001–2009), Vice President and Chief Academic Officer at Cedarville University (Cedarville, OH, 2009–2015), and Senior Vice President for Academic Administration and Dean of Trinity College and Graduate School at Trinity International University (Deerfield, IL, 2015–2019).

An historian by training, he taught historical theology, theology, and history for 19 years before moving into administrative roles.

Dr. Cornman and his wife, Sue, enjoy exploring the Pacific Northwest, attending campus activities, and representing Corban in a variety of settings. They have two adult children who live in Southern California.

He says, “I came to Corban because of the quality and dedication of the faculty and their commitment to Christ-centered higher education. Corban’s students bring an enthusiasm and seriousness to the pursuit of a distinctly Christian approach to their studies.” 

Mechelle Garrett

Chief Diversity Officer
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Also serves as the Associate Vice President for Community Belonging and Global Engagement.

  • B.B.A. Business Management, University of Houston-Downtown
  • B.S. Professional Writing, University of Houston-Downtown
  • M.S. Professional Writing and Technical Communication, University of Houston-Downtown
  • M.A. Cultural Engagement, Trinity International University
  • Ed.D. Organizational Change and Leadership, University of Southern California

Mechelle Garrett began her role at Corban in July of 2022. As part of the Student Life team, she oversees the Center for Global Engagement, working with Corban’s international students and partnerships, and also serves as the chair of the University Diversity Committee. Prior to Corban, Mechelle served as the director of the Thrive Center (Student Success Center) at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois. In this role, Mechelle coordinated comprehensive support service programming for all students. Before her tenure in higher education, Mechelle operated within corporate communications for the United Parcel Service and Pritchard Capital Partners.

Being an astute academic, having graduated magna cum laude with both master’s degrees, Mechelle recently earned a Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California.

In her spare time, Mechelle enjoys cheering on the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Astros.

Dr. Brian Jaworski

Vice President for Student Life

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Also Serves as Dean of Students.

  • B.A. Pastoral Studies, Moody Bible Institute
  • M.Div. Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
  • Ph.D. Higher Education, Azusa Pacific

Dr. Brian Jaworski joined Corban in June of 2022. He previously served as the Dean of Students at Huntington University from 2017-2022, where his main responsibility was to help students create the best possible and most dynamic campus experience as well as oversee the residence halls and student activities on campus. His doctoral dissertation focused on the contribution of residence life programming to student thriving.

Prior to that, his work experience included serving as a resident hall director at Trinity International University for three years, residence life coordinator at Kansas State University for five years, and associate dean for student development at Moody Bible Institute – Spokane for six years.

Brian and his wife, Amie, have three children, Brennan, Evelyn, and Owen. In his spare time, he enjoys landscaping, attending and watching sporting events, playing slow-pitch softball, and working out.

Shannon Johnson

Vice President for Advancement

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  • B.A. English, Seattle Pacific University
  • M.A. Counseling, George Fox University

With a background in counseling and full-time ministry, Shannon Johnson is passionate about changing outcomes for youth. Since her early years as a follower of Jesus, Johnson felt called to building relationships with people to share the Gospel. She spent the first 12 years of her career in full-time ministry, first with the Navigators (NavYouth) and then with Young Life. She then obtained her Master’s in Counseling and practiced counseling in a community mental health agency for several years, primarily working with youth in psychiatric crisis and/or those with dual-diagnosis.

During her time working with young people, Johnson constantly saw the importance of education to unlock opportunities for the future. In 2013, she began her professional journey in Christian higher education and the work of fundraising. Fundraising for Christ-centered universities has combined many of her passions: sharing the Gospel, building relationships, and giving people access to education.

Shannon met her husband, Michael, in 2013, and they are the proud parents of three active and gregarious children. Michael works in IT, and coaches youth sports. Together they enjoy living their faith in practical ways serving the students and families they connect with through Michael’s coaching opportunities.

Jordan Lindsey

Associate Vice President for Enrollment

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Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing

  • B.S. Health Science, Corban University
  • M.S. Internet Marketing, Full Sail University

Jordan Lindsey has served Corban since 2010 when he joined the University as an Admissions Counselor. He later stepped into the role of Director of Admissions, driving recruitment and enrollment efforts with his passion for Christian higher education and commitment to Corban’s mission. In 2022, he was named Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing, providing direction and vision for the University’s marketing efforts as well as Admissions. In April 2023, Jordan’s role expanded to cover the student experience from admission to graduation as he also assumed oversight for the Registrar’s Office and the areas of Financial Aid, Student Support, and Career Services.

Jordan is married to Leah, also a Corban alum, and they have three young children. They serve together in children’s ministry at their church, enjoy traveling with their kids, eating great food, and sharing a good laugh with friends.

JORDAN K. WADE, SR.
Vice President for Business

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Also serves as Chief Business Officer.

  • B.A. in Human Relations (University of Oklahoma)
  • M.A. in Youth and Family Ministry (John Brown University)
  • M.Div. (Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary)

Sooner born, but Kansas City-bred, Jordan K. Wade serves as Vice President for Business & Chief Business Officer for Corban University – integrating over 20 years of military service with a God-given passion for church and kingdom service. Prior to coming to Corban, he served as Vice President of Auxiliary Services & Operations at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Applied Theology and Biblical Spirituality at Midwestern Seminary.

Jordan’s desire for the body of Christ is that it now and forever represent and enjoy the many colors, many gifts, and many responsibilities painted upon God’s kingdom canvas, comprising all His children.

Of all Jordan’s accomplishments, his prized treasure is his wife and college sweetheart, Dr. Jumesha Wade. Together, they have five children: Julia, Jael, Jordan II, Jozabad, and Jessie.