A man who started with Trinity Western University as a teacher in 2008 has been named its new president.
Dr. Todd Martin was a faculty member teaching in the areas of sociology and family studies before becoming dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the private Christian university.
Following his successful tenure as dean, Martin was appointed provost, leading in the area of strategic planning and strengthening TWU鈥檚 external relations and academic partnerships with faith-based colleges. Since the departure of Dr. Mark Husbands, who completed his five-year term as president in June 2024, Martin has carried the responsibility of interim president and provost.
鈥淏eing a part of Trinity Western for many years, Martin is highly respected by our outstanding faculty and staff,鈥� Matthew St. John, the university board chair, said in a letter to the community. 鈥淗e has earned the trust and favour of the University鈥檚 alumni and friends. Importantly, he is valued and appreciated by our most vital constituency 鈥� our students.鈥�
This announcement marks the completion of Trinity Western's international presidential search, which launched last summer. The search process began with listening sessions to gather input from faculty and staff, including a separate session dedicated to student perspectives. These community consultations informed the presidential position profile and guided the work of a search committee that included diverse representation from faculty, staff, board members, and alumni.
鈥淟eading Canada's largest Christian university means we can do something remarkable: education from a Christian perspective is an incredible value that sets us apart and allows us to meet some of the deep needs and yearnings that many people have for more than just knowledge,鈥� Martin said. 鈥淚t is our privilege to invite students from around the world into a holistic education at Trinity Western that supports their life flourishing, not just academically but spiritually and emotionally as well.鈥�
The job is his effective Thursday, Feb. 20 with a formal ceremony planned for April.
Martin, a native of Perry Sound, Ont., completed his education in Windsor before studying at a liberal arts college in southern California, initially specializing in business before turning to theology. His diverse career spans 25 years in pastoral ministry, complemented by experience in the financial sector. Martin attended ACTS Seminaries (TWU) before completing a Master of Arts in family studies (UBC), where his research focused on intergenerational faith transmission, after which he went on to achieve a PhD. in sociology of family (UBC).
Sharing his knowledge of family theories, Martin has co-authored three books and authored numerous book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles, and he serves as the managing editor of the Journal of Comparative Family Studies. Contributing to the professional field, he is a certified family life educator and a member of the Canadian Sociological Association, International Sociological Association, and National Council on Family Relations. Married for 40 years, Martin and his wife, Kim, have four adult children and three grandchildren.
As Martin commences his role as president, a search committee has been established to recruit the university's next provost beginning immediately. Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is a degree-granting research institution offering liberal arts and sciences as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has campuses in Canada in 91原创, Richmond, and Ottawa.
