Dr. Mark G. Harden

Pillar College in Newark, New Jersey announced that after a year-long national search, its next Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College is Mark G. Harden, Ph.D.
Dr. Harden’s experience in academic leadership runs deep. He has earned a reputation as a visionary and compassionate leader in education for the past 16 years. Dr. Harden has received national recognition for developing innovative approaches in theological education to equip men and women for pastoral ministry. He has served at several seminaries including Bethel Theological Seminary, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and Ashland Theological Seminary as a professor of church and community ministries and as an executive leader as Dean and President. As a licensed and ordained minister, he has the honor of serving on the Board of the Association of Theological Schools and the American Baptist Historical Society. Other accomplishments in ministry include serving as founder and Executive Director of Streetwise, Inc. and Detroit Love, Inc. in Detroit, Michigan. Dr. Harden believes that the most important asset of any college is it faculty.
Pillar College President, Dr. David E. Schroeder in announcing the appointment stated, “I am so grateful that God has led Dr. Mark Harden to join our team at Pillar College. He is exceptionally well-credentialed honed by several decades in three well-regarded Christian institutions. Dr. Harden is the academic leader we were seeking. As a mission-mindful leader he has ample inner city academic leadership experience, Dr. Harden brings to us a heart that is aligned with ours in seeking to exalt Christ in all we do. As Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Pillar College, Dr. Harden will make a major imprint on the future direction of the College as it continues to expand its reach to other urban areas and its influence throughout the Christian world.”
Dr. Harden is a family and child ecologist in the field of church and community development. He holds degrees from several higher education institutions including Oakland University, Marygrove College, Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Philosophy from Michigan State University. He and his wife Sharon have four grown children: Tracey, Chauncy, Erin and Marcus. Dr. and Mrs. Harden will be relocating from Michigan.
Pillar College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and is a member of the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), Pillar College offers Diploma programs through Associate’s, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. The College has locations in Somerset, Newark, and Paterson, NJ, on-line and other various locations throughout New Jersey.