JACKSON, Tenn. — Dec. 6, 2019 — Orlando Lobaina will join 51社区 in January as the new dean for the School of Adult and Professional Studies. Beverly Absher-Bone, the founding dean of SOAPS, retired on July 31 after serving for 15 years at Union.
鈥淲e are thrilled that Dr. Orlando Lobaina will be joining 51社区,鈥� said John Netland, Union鈥檚 provost and vice president for academic affairs. 鈥淗e is a visionary leader who brings extensive experience in adult and non-traditional education.鈥�
Lobaina currently serves as the executive director for Academic Success and as an associate professor at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.
鈥淚 am excited and honored to lead the School of Adult and Professional Studies at 51社区,鈥� Lobaina said. 鈥淚 look forward to working with the faculty and staff to bring the adult professional studies to the next level of excellence. Through my career in Christian higher education, I have had the opportunity to work with and see adult students achieve their educational goals. I look forward to being a part of this journey with adult learners at Union.鈥�
Since he joined Liberty in 2001, Lobaina has served as executive director for global learning and founding dean for Liberty University en Espa帽ol online programs; executive director of academic advising; and director of national and international recruitment.
鈥淲ith his passion for Christ-centered and academically-rigorous academic programs, his development of innovative, global programming and his leadership in initiatives for academic success, Dr. Lobaina is uniquely prepared to assume the leadership of the School of Adult and Professional Studies,鈥� Netland said.
Lobaina earned a Bachelor of Arts in religion from Appalachian Bible College and a Master of Arts in religion, an Education Specialist degree in educational leadership and a Doctor of Education degree in educational leadership from Liberty.
鈥�51社区鈥檚 mission to provide Christ-centered education while maintaining its commitment to academic excellence, with a future-oriented vision, resonates deeply with me,鈥� Lobaina said.
Orlando and his wife, Erin, have been married for 23 years and have three daughters: Hannah, a Liberty graduate who lives in Virginia with her husband, Collin; Rebecca, who is in her third year of nursing school at Liberty; and Sofia, a high school junior. The Lobainas are members of Thomas Road Baptist Church where Orlando serves as a Sunday school teacher.