Meet Dr. Deana Porterfield!
Meet Dr. Deana Porterfield
What a joy to be serving as president of Roberts Wesleyan College and Northeastern Seminary! 150 years ago B.T. and Ellen Roberts founded Chili Seminary. They envisioned a place that would educate women and men of character. The enduring influence of this couple anchored in their faith and listening to the call of God has impacted thousands of women and men over these last 150 years. I love to hear the stories of campus life, as experienced by our alumni years ago, but even more, I am energized by today’s students who have found here on this campus opportunity for personal growth, rigorous academic challenge and opportunities for service – students who learn to connect their head to their heart and engage their hands. Together we are committed to continuing the vision of educating for character, and I believe our future is bright with hope!
Prior to Roberts and Northeastern, President Porterfield served at Azusa Pacific University for 26 years in various roles, including Vice President for Enrollment Management, Chief of Staff, Senior Vice President for People and Organizational Development and Executive Vice President of the online university. Originally from Watsonville, California, President Porterfield earned a doctorate in organizational leadership from the University of La Verne in La Verne, CA. She also holds a master's degree in organizational management and a bachelor's degree in music from Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, CA.
In the Community
President Porterfield's Perspectives
October 2019
President Porterfield is excited to share some information and insight about the many things happening at Roberts Wesleyan College.
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2018 Prism Award
June 2018
President Porterfield Honored as the 2018 PRSA Executive of the Year
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Woman of Excellence
April 2018
Rochester Business Journal has selected Dr. Deana L. Porterfield as an inaugural Women of Excellence recipient.
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Intellectual Humility
January 2018
Dr. Porterfield talks about teaching students intellectual humility
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Leadership Breakfast- "Veterans in the Workplace"
March 2017
Dr. Porterfield talks about our Leadership Breakfast
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Graduate better able to pay off student loans
January 2017
Dr. Porterfield talks about student loans
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Dr. Porterfield talks with Bob Lonsberry
August 2016
Dr. Porterfield talks about higher education on WHAM 1180
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Rochester, NY Area Presidents
September 2016
See what Dr. Porterfield had to say about Roberts as we roll out a new school year.
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Dr. Porterfield takes 3rd in Charity Race
August 2016
NASCAR star Kurt Busch raced go-karts against a group of Rochester business executives
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Roberts Launches “Justice & Security Institute”
September 2016
Institute to House Newly Created Greater Rochester Public Strategic Diversity Initiative
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What does a college president do?
January 2017
Dr. Porterfield talks about a president's responsibility
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Career in Brief
1988: B.A., Music Education, Azusa Pacific University
1996: M.A., Organizational Management, Azusa Pacific University
2003 – 2009: Vice President for Enrollment Management, Azusa Pacific University
2008 – 2009: Chief of Staff, Azusa Pacific University
2009 – 2012: Senior Vice President for People and Organizational Development, Azusa Pacific University
2012 – 2014: Executive Vice President, Azusa Pacific Online University
2013: Ed.D, Organizational Leadership, University of La Verne
2014: President, Roberts Wesleyan College and Northeastern Seminary