Dr. Kerry Fulcher was elected the 15th president of Point Loma Nazarene University on July 1, 2024. Prior to his election, he served with distinction for over three decades at PLNU, including 14 years as Provost and Chief Academic Officer. He previously held roles as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Chair of the Biology Department, and a long-serving faculty member in the sciences.
Dr. Fulcher began his career at PLNU in 1994 following a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health. A scholar in reproductive biology and science education, his research has been published in journals such as Christian Higher Education, Biology of Reproduction, Aquaculture, and Developmental Biology. He is also known for developing integrative teaching models at the intersection of science, vocation, and Christian formation.
Throughout his tenure at PLNU, Dr. Fulcher has helped shape the university’s academic identity and deepen its alignment with its Christ-centered mission. He has led the development of new educational structures, launched over 30 online programs, introduced innovative graduate and adult education offerings, and guided a major academic reorganization. His leadership was instrumental in the creation of the College of Health Sciences and in building strategic partnerships with all San Diego Community Colleges.
A nationally respected leader in higher education, Dr. Fulcher currently serves on the advisory board for the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NETVUE), a cross-sector initiative that supports institutions in exploring purpose and calling in the undergraduate experience. He has also previously served on national boards and task forces for the Council of Independent Colleges and the Education Advisory Board, where he contributed to the development of broader academic strategies and institutional innovation. He has chaired or assisted on more than a dozen accreditation teams for WSCUC and was recognized with the Council of Independent Colleges’ Chief Academic Officer Award in 2023.
In the San Diego region, Dr. Fulcher is actively engaged in civic and economic development, serving on the boards of both the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation. His leadership reflects a commitment to aligning PLNU’s mission with the workforce and service needs of the region.
Dr. Fulcher and his wife, Robyn, have been part of the Point Loma community since 1994. They are the parents of three daughters—Jordanne, Hailey, and Maddy—and the proud grandparents of Judah, Eleanor, and Silas.