Charles W. “Chip” Pollard

Charles W. “Chip” Pollard has been the president of John Brown University (JBU) in Arkansas since 2004. During his time at JBU, the university has been blessed to receive more than $290 million in gifts, to expand its endowment from $50 million to over $165 million, and to complete 17 major building projects. JBU also has initiated new academic programs in play therapy, nursing, computer science, and data analytics, and has seen its enrollment increase to over 1,900 students. JBU has been named seven years in a row by the Chronicle of Higher Education to its Honor Role in the “Great Colleges to Work For” survey (2015–2021). Pollard teaches regularly in the undergraduate program and speaks frequently in chapel and other venues. Before coming to JBU, he taught English literature at Calvin College for seven years and practiced law at Latham & Watkins for three years. He is the author of two books, May It Always Be True: Educating Students in Faith (2011) and New World Modernisms (2005). Pollard has been a member of the board of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities since 2009, serving as chair from 2013–2018. He also serves on the board of Wheaton College (IL), his alma mater. He is a member of the CIC Board of Directors. Pollard holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Wheaton College, a law degree from Harvard Law School, a master’s degree in English from Oxford University, and a PhD in English from the University of Virginia.