Criswell College Dean of Students Luis Juárez has been promoted to the role of Vice President of Student Affairs.

Juárez has been the college’s Director of Student Services since July 2019 and Dean of Students since spring 2021. He will maintain the role of Dean of Students while serving as Vice President of Student Affairs.

Criswell College President Barry Creamer made his decision known campus-wide on Wednesday morning.

“Luis embodies Criswell’s core values in his personal, ministerial, and professional life and is committed to leading Christian students in their growth to become Christian leaders. I am confident that he will fill this role capably and that his intentional, missional leadership will significantly strengthen not only Student Affairs but the entire college,” Creamer said.

Juárez brings a decade of higher education experience to his new office, having served in multiple roles within Christian colleges. He has also served over a decade as a youth and college pastor. He is pursuing a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration at the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor and is expected to graduate in December 2021.

“I am excited about the opportunity to tackle the task at hand and grow enrollment by identifying students who, in Dr. Creamer’s words, want to give their life away to Christ by specializing and training, whether in formal ministry or in a different discipline, to be a light in the world,” Juárez said.

“I believe the Lord has been preparing me for this role for the last 10 years. Exactly 10 years ago, I began as a young admissions counselor and Baptist Student Ministry Director. I moved into local and global missions work, church relations, alumni affairs, and student services. All of that, combined with my 12+ years in collegiate and youth ministry, gives me peace and confidence regarding what the Lord has given me.”

Dr. Creamer explained that Juárez will bring diversity to the office, as well as ministry and Christian leadership focus.

“Luis brings not only expertise in the world of higher education but also a perspective that will allow us to serve diverse communities better. He brings diversity not only as a Latino but also as a man with a disability. His ability to mentor and disciple students and see their needs while also holding them accountable to Christian standards will make the whole campus better.”