Godfrey Named Vice President for Student Life

Graceland University is proud to announce that John Godfrey ’06 has been appointed as the next Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students.

John, a Graceland graduate and former Alumni Board President, has spent his career shaping student experiences in higher education. With over 15 years in student life and housing leadership, John brings expertise in campus community development, student belonging, and leadership programming.

President Joel Shrock said “We are excited for the prospect of John joining our leadership team. He brings a wealth of experience in student life and higher education, and he knows and loves Graceland.”

Currently, John serves as Senior Associate Director for Housing at San Diego State University, where he oversees a $140M annual housing operation and strategic projects nearing $1B in scale. His background includes experience at University of San Diego, Arizona Western College, and multiple institutions, where he has led teams of over 300 professionals dedicated to student success. He also is pursuing his Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership at California State University at Fresno.

In his role, John will work to enhance student belonging, leadership development, and campus life across all Graceland programs.

“Returning to Graceland in this capacity is a true full-circle moment for me,” John shared. “This university shaped who I am, and I’m honored to step into this role to help future generations of students find the same sense of belonging and purpose.”

John will be on campus next week, engaging with students, staff, and faculty, and he will start in his new role in June of 2025. Join us in welcoming him back to the Graceland community!