About the President

York University has named Dr. Tim Westbrook to serve as its 22nd president. News of Westbrook’s appointment was shared in a January 8 announcement from board chair Dr. R. Wayne White.

Westbrook has a lengthy record of service in Christian higher education, missions and ministry. He worked at Harding University starting in 2005, where he served as the director of Harding’s Equip — Bible Online Program. He worked in multiple capacities in Harding’s College of Bible and Ministry, including work as associate director of the Institute for Church and Family during his first five years with the university; but his primary focus throughout his time at Harding was developing their online Bible and ministry initiative.

Prior to his work with Harding, Westbrook was a missionary to Hungary from 1995 through 2003, where he served as the team leader. Although he returned more than 20 years ago, he has an ongoing involvement in mission work in Hungary. In addition to his work at Harding, Westbrook was the assistant editor for the Truth for Today Commentary Series from 2003 to 2010. 

Westbrook completed his MA in historical theology (2002) and his MDiv with an Old Testament concentration (2008) from Harding School of Theology. He earned his PhD in education and intercultural studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in 2015. His dissertation was published by Routledge with the title Spirituality, Community, and Race Consciousness in Adult Higher Education (2017). Westbrook grew up in Houston, Texas, and completed his undergraduate degree at Harding University.

President Westbrook and his wife, Dr. Anessa Westbrook, have been married for 31 years. She served as an associate professor of Bible and ministry at Harding University and was recently appointed as co-executive director of a newly established York University Center for Ministry. Dr. Anessa Westbrook received her DMin from Fuller Theological Seminary and speaks on women’s ministry and spiritual development of women nationally and internationally. She has published two books, New Birth: Conversion and Baptism and Reaching and Discipling Women: A Guide to Women’s Ministry in Your Church.

Interim President Jared Stark will continue in his role as interim president until Dr. Westbrook assumes the office on July 1, 2025.