APU Names Tustin Resident VP/Chief Strategy Officer

Azusa Pacific University President Adam J. Morris, PhD, named Tustin resident David Shynn vice president/chief strategy officer (VPCSO), effective October 30. A higher education executive, Shynn brings more than 20 years of experience in increasingly complex roles, leading organizational transformation, strategic planning, international partnerships, merger and acquisition analysis, business analytics, and business model innovation.

“David Shynn's appointment comes at a strategic time for APU. He is a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ who is passionate about Christian higher education,” said Morris. “His collaborative spirit, business acumen, entrepreneurial mindset, and incredible work ethic are uniquely suited for this mission critical position. As we work together to position APU for a healthy and thriving future, David’s focus on strategy and vision will prove invaluable.”

As APU’s VPCSO, Shynn will help design and implement APU’s strategic roadmap. Working directly with the president, and closely with the Cabinet and campus stakeholders, Shynn will build a plan that operationalizes and accelerates APU’s vision, providing clear lines of ownership with measurable targets and timetables to gauge effectiveness, increase revenue, and position the university for growth in the increasingly competitive higher education landscape. Shynn will stay abreast of relevant and contemporary competitive intelligence to identify growth opportunities, developing the strategies to achieve that potential and applying analytics to drive ongoing effectiveness. “APU serves a valuable role in the landscape of Christian higher education,” Shynn said. “I’m grateful and excited to partner with President Morris and this community in their efforts to serve our students as we pursue effective, sustainable, and innovative approaches to our mission.”

Shynn assumes this position after most recently serving as vice president for transformation at Biola University (La Mirada, Calif). In that role, he oversaw near-term organizational optimization and long-term strategic innovation. He led the Transformation team, which managed millions in investments across a portfolio of over 120 strategic initiatives which resulted in tens of millions per year in revenue and cost-savings benefits. His span of care also included Biola Media Enterprises, an entrepreneurial team that explored innovative business models, and the University Analytics team that developed the tools and resources to facilitate a data-informed, strategic decision-making campus culture. His prior work at Biola includes associate vice president for transformation (2020-22) and senior director of strategic planning and new ventures (2015-20).

Shynn holds a Master of Business Administration from Biola University and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, Irvine. He has completed executive education in change and organizational renewal at Stanford University and management and leadership in education at Harvard University.