Rev. Dr. Javier Viera

Challenges from the presidency

The Reverend Dr. Javier A. Viera is president of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, where he also serves as Professor of Education and Leadership. Joining Garrett in January 2021, Dr. Viera has quickly led the institution through major initiatives that include a new strategic plan, curricular review, accreditation review, a year-long diversity, equity, and inclusion self-study, the launching of new programs which have resulted in increasing enrollment. Prior to joining Garrett-Evangelical, Dr. Viera served as the 14th Dean of the Theological School at Drew University from 2014-2020, where he also served as the university’s Vice Provost and as Professor of Pastoral Theology. At Drew he led the transformation of the school's curriculum, launched new degree programs and initiatives, and led efforts that increased enrollment and fundraising. Dr. Viera is an educational theorist and historian whose scholarly work focuses on adult learning and development and on Latin American decolonial epistemologies. Prior to his service at Drew University, Dr. Viera served in university campus ministry and congregational ministry for two decades, leading rural, suburban, and urban congregations. Dr. Viera is a graduate of Florida Southern College, Duke, Yale, and Columbia universities and hails from San Juan, Puerto Rico, the city where he was born and raised.