About the President

About President Hoornbeek

Corbin Hoornbeek, Ph.D. began his term as the University of Northwestern’s ninth president in August 2022. Dr. Hoornbeek has been a leader in Christian higher education and world missions for nearly 30 years. Dr. Hoornbeek also serves as president of Northwestern Media, a ministry of University of Northwestern – St. Paul. The media ministry reaches nearly 1.5 million listeners with the truth and love of Jesus Christ—on the air and worldwide over the Internet—through 23 radio stations in 10 states that offer encouraging and uplifting music, biblical teaching, and dynamic listener engagement.

Prior to starting at Northwestern, Hoornbeek served as Vice President for University Advancement at Azusa Pacific University (APU), where he directed the university’s fundraising, alumni, and parent engagement activities and programs. A member of the president’s cabinet, Dr. Hoornbeek led the completion of a $100 million comprehensive campaign, while also securing over $12.5 million in new endowment gifts. Dr. Hoornbeek’s career highlights also include more than a decade as a major gift officer with The Navigators, a global, interdenominational missions agency with over 7,000 internationally and ethnically diverse staff serving in 107 countries. During his Navigators tenure, Hoornbeek traveled extensively throughout the world, interacting cross-culturally with global missions in Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Dr. Hoornbeek’s relational and collaborative leadership approach extends beyond his Advancement experience. Throughout his 11-year career at APU, he spent a significant amount of time with students in 1:1 mentorship and group discipleship settings. He has been an active volunteer with Young Life and WyldLife Clubs, and has co-led relational and emotional healing processes for marriages in distress.

As he researched the university and media ministry as a presidential candidate, Dr. Hoornbeek found a significant amount of alignment with his personal foundation and mission: “As I began to explore the history and ethos of the University of Northwestern, everything that I read resonated with my personal commitment and calling to develop Christian leaders. Throughout my interactions with the university’s faculty, staff, students, and board members, those words have come to life. Over its 120-year history, Northwestern has remained true to its mission, unwavering in its commitment to Christ-centered academic excellence and to equipping the next generation of God-honoring leaders for our homes, churches, communities, and the world in the classroom and over the airwaves.”

Education

• B.A. in Music from the University of Michigan
• M.A. in Theological Studies from Covenant Theological Seminary
• Ph.D. in Leadership Studies, with an emphasis in higher education from Dallas Baptist University

Personal Life

Dr. Hoornbeek and his wife, Heather, have been married for 28 years. Together, they have three adult children. His personal interests include classical music, running, the outdoors, and spending time with Heather and their family.