A Personal Perspective
When Mark and Kim DeMichael read the posting for the presidential role at Northwest Nazarene University, something clicked. As longtime leaders in Christian higher education and alumni of Nazarene schools, they immediately felt a deep alignment with NNU’s Christ-centered values and commitment to developing servant leaders. “The biggest draw initially was the alignment and connection we experienced with the NNU mission statement,” they said. “The more we learned, the more it felt like home.”
Mark comes to NNU with decades of experience as a leader, mentor and educator—most recently as Vice President for Student Life and Athletics at Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU). Before that, he served as Athletic Director, a role he believes uniquely prepared him for the presidency. “An Athletic Director touches every part of campus life,” he said. “Recruiting, fundraising, budgeting, mentoring, collaborating with faculty, managing community partnerships—it’s all part of the work. And above all, it’s about keeping the mission front and center.”
Kim, an educator at heart and a partner in ministry, has spent the last several years as a professor in IWU’s School of Teacher Education, working closely with students and faculty to respond to the ever-changing landscape of education. “I’m a teacher by training and disposition,” she shared. “I believe in God’s good purpose for each student, meeting them where they are and developing their God-given talents for life and learning. I’m excited to support, pray for and walk alongside the NNU community.”
The DeMichaels met when they were students at Eastern Nazarene College (ENC) in Massachusetts—Mark from New Jersey and Kim from Connecticut. Both point to their time at ENC as pivotal in shaping their spiritual lives, work habits and worldview. Athletics played a major role in their development, teaching them time management, collaboration and balance across every aspect of life.
Together, they’ve raised two daughters, Ashley and Kasey, and gained a son-in-law, David. Ashley works in international education at Asbury University. Kasey and David both serve in student life and athletics at Indiana Wesleyan. Though they’ll miss being just down the road, the family stays closely connected through weekly FaceTime calls and shared travel adventures.
Outside of work, Mark and Kim enjoy being active outdoors—walking, playing pickleball and exploring new places. They also love connecting through small groups, church and community events. “We look forward to finding the same kind of spiritual and personal connection in Nampa that we experienced in Indiana for so many years,” Kim said.
In their first 100 days, the DeMichaels plan to do a lot of listening. They’re committed to building strong relationships within the NNU community and the wider Church of the Nazarene on the Northwest Field. “We love to laugh, experience life on campus and walk with people wherever they are,” they shared. “Our prayer is that people see us as approachable, mission-driven and committed to the work God is doing at NNU.”
