Rev. David W. Watkins III Appointed Dean of Students

FEBRUARY 16, 2026

Rev. David W. Watkins III
Dean of Students

McCormick Theological Seminary is thrilled to announce an important leadership transition within Academic Affairs. Rev. David W. Watkins, III has been appointed Dean of Students, a role that expands his longstanding commitment to student care, formation, and institutional leadership.

In this new capacity, Dean Watkins will oversee all aspects of student services across McCormick’s Certificate, Master’s, and Doctoral programs — providing vision, coordination, and pastoral presence for students as they navigate their academic and vocational journeys.

A LEADER GROUNDED IN CARE AND SYSTEMS THINKING
Dean Watkins has been serving the McCormick community as Assistant Dean of Student Services, where his attentive care, thoughtful collaboration, and wise counsel have strengthened the seminary’s culture of accompaniment. His unique professional background — combining pastoral ministry with project management experience and an engineering-informed mindset — has brought clarity and structure to initiatives that support student success.

Known for his ability to translate big-picture vision into sustainable processes, Dean Watkins has helped cultivate systems that are both responsive and deeply human-centered, ensuring that students are supported not only administratively but holistically.

FORMATION THAT EXTENDS BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Dean Watkins’ ministry in the wider church and community, including his current role as pastor at Greater Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church, remains inseparable from his work at McCormick. His pastoral imagination, commitment to justice, and grounded leadership continue to shape how the seminary lives into its mission of preparing leaders for faithful, transformative service.

As President Dr. Maisha Handy shared in announcing the appointment, this transition represents not only an administrative shift but an expansion of Dean Watkins’ vocation, one that strengthens McCormick’s capacity to nurture leaders for the church and the world.

A COLLABORATIVE FUTURE FOR STUDENT FORMATION
Rev. Watkins will continue to work closely with faculty and academic leadership to deepen the integration of learning, care, and community across all programs. “Over this past year, I have been deeply grateful for Dean Watkins’ attentive care, thoughtful partnership, and wise counsel,” shared Dr. Jina Kang, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty.

LOOKING AHEAD
This new chapter reflects McCormick’s continued commitment to forming leaders within an environment where academic rigor, spiritual grounding, and communal care are held together. With Dean Watkins’ expanded leadership, the seminary is well-positioned to strengthen the systems and relationships that sustain students from orientation through graduation, and into lives of ministry and public witness.