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Dennis Ray, M.Div., Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Master of Leadership Program & Master of Public Health Program

Dennis Ray is an Assistant Professor in the Master of Leadership and Master of Public Health programs at Union Adventist University. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Union College (1985-1990), a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Fuller Theological Seminary (1995-2000), and a Ph.D. in Human Development from the School of Leadership Studies at Fielding Graduate University (2018-2023). Additionally, he is trained as an executive coach, enhancing his ability to guide and mentor emerging leaders.

Before transitioning to academia, Dr. Ray worked in both the corporate and non-profit sectors. He began his career at Hewlett-Packard in Palo Alto, CA, where he worked as an accountant and project leader from 1990 to 1997. Following his tenure at Hewlett-Packard, he dedicated 19 years to pastoral ministry in California, providing spiritual leadership and community support.

Dr. Ray's research interests lie at the intersection of leadership development and human growth, with a particular focus on integrating Christian spirituality into leadership frameworks. His teaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of theory combined with Christian discipleship and character development, aiming to cultivate leaders who are not only skilled but also compassionate and spiritually grounded. Dr. Ray teaches Overview of Christian Leadership (LEAD 510), Research Methods (LEAD 520 & MPH 540), Leadership Ethics (LEAD 550), Leading and Developing Teams (LEAD 560 & MPH 565), Leadership Development (LEAD 590) and Spirituality in Healthcare Settings (MOT 510).

Outside of his professional pursuits, Dr. Ray is an avid sports enthusiast. He passionately supports the San Francisco 49ers and Giants and enjoys the competitive thrill of rooting for any team playing against the Seahawks, Cowboys, and Dodgers. He resides in Lincoln with his wife, Diane, who is a nurse. Together, they have two sons, ages 25 and 22.