Dear PLNU Community,
It is with great pleasure to announce the appointment of Dr. Rachelle Wong as the next Dean of the School of Education, effective July 1, 2026.
Dr. Wong has served in the School of Education since 2018, with the past two years as Associate Dean of Teacher Preparation and brings more than three decades of experience in education, including service as a classroom teacher, school administrator, and higher education leader. A proud PLNU alumna, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and teaching credential from Point Loma Nazarene University, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, and a Doctor of Education in Transformational Leadership from Concordia University.
Throughout her time at PLNU, Dr. Wong has demonstrated exceptional leadership in teacher preparation, faculty development, accreditation, and partnership-building. She is deeply committed to investing in future educators and is guided by the conviction that every child deserves excellent, caring, and effective teachers. Her leadership has strengthened our teacher preparation programs and advanced the School of Education’s mission of developing reflective educators of noble character who positively impact learners and communities.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Wong on this well-deserved appointment. I am confident that her experience, vision, and commitment to our mission will serve the School of Education and the university exceptionally well in the years ahead.
I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Deborah Erickson (Emeritus Dean) for her faithful leadership and dedicated service as Dean. Her contributions have helped shape the School of Education into the thriving and respected community it is today, and we are deeply grateful for her lasting impact on PLNU.
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Wong to this important leadership role.
G. James Daichendt, EdD, MFA
Provost & Chief Academic Officer
Professor of Art History