Presidential Search
Search Committee Announces Candidate
On March 26, the Presidential Search Committee announced Dr. Scott Pace as their candidate to serve as Southeastern’s seventh president.
The Board of Trustees will vote on this recommendation from the Presidential Search Committee during their spring 2026 board meeting on April 21.
Dr. Scott Pace
Provost
Dean of Graduate Studies
Professor of Preaching and Pastoral Ministry
Jim Shaddix Chair of Expository Preaching
Dr. Pace, provost and dean of graduate studies, has taught at Southeastern since 2018. He also previously served in a variety of other administrative roles, including dean of undergraduate studies, director of the Center for Preaching and Pastoral Leadership, and director of the Timothy Scholars Program. Pace combines more than 20 years of full-time and interim pastoral ministry experience with 17 years of academic and administrative experience. As a regular conference speaker and mentor to pastors and church leaders, Pace has established himself as a trusted leader with a heart for mentoring, training, and mobilizing other leaders for ministry. Pace has authored books on topics ranging from pastoral ministry and student ministry to seminary education, including “Pastoral Theology,” “Calling Out the Called,” and “Expositional Leadership.”
Prior to his vocational calling, Pace served in the corporate world as an accountant and the private sector as a business manager. He and his wife, Dana, have been married since 1999 and have four children — Gracelyn, Tyler, Tessa, and Cassie.
EDUCATION
BS, North Carolina State University
MDiv, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Media Kit
About the Presidential Transition
On October 14, Dr. Danny Akin publicly announced his retirement as president of Southeastern Seminary, effective July 31, 2026. Learn more.
The Presidential Search Committee is comprised of Executive Committee members from Southeastern’s Board of Trustees. Committee members include Carlos Goodrich, Andy Taylor, Tim Dale, David White, Ed Litton, Kyler Smith, Raymond Brown, Stewart Holloway, Ryan Martin, Shawn Dobbins, and Brett Golson.