Dallas International University is proud to announce Dr. Leanna Rierson as full-time Assistant Professor in the College of International Studies. Dr. Rierson has a unique background in aviation software engineering, for which she has traveled to dozens of countries around the world. Alongside her aviation consulting, she has also traveled the globe for biblical teaching opportunities in South Africa, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, India, Myanmar, England, Canada, and Rwanda. Having worked in local church ministry for over 25 years, Dr. Rierson brings a wealth of interpersonal and mentoring experience to DIU’s undergraduate programs.
Dr. Rierson will contribute to the undergraduate program mainly by teaching courses in biblical studies, including IS4309 Hermeneutics, which is a significant course in the BA in Scripture and Culture. Dr. Rierson has loved studying the Bible ever since she was 10 years old, when she felt a call to study and teach the Scriptures to whoever would listen. From that day, she began studying the Bible daily and has never stopped. As soon as opportunities arose, she began teaching in the local church—to youth in her teen years, to college students in her college and early career years, and to adults of all ages after that.
Dr. Rierson is deeply devoted to the local church; however, ten years ago the Lord convicted her to pursue further education in order to prepare men and women for Christian service and ministry. That led her to complete a PhD in Biblical Studies from the University of Exeter in England. For the last 4 years, Dr. Rierson has served as an adjunct professor of New Testament at Maritime Christian College in Canada, as well as Bible colleges in Myanmar and Rwanda.
Dr. Rierson loves to teach, mentor, and equip students of all ages and backgrounds, and is excited to join the DIU faculty. She feels that God has been preparing her for this adventure her entire life. She says she feels privileged to work with the skilled team at DIU to prepare men and women for their future engagement with cultures and people groups around the globe.
In addition to her PhD, Dr. Rierson has three master’s degrees (Cincinnati Bible Seminary, Johnson University, and Rochester Institute of Technology) and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Wichita State University. She also completed undergraduate studies at Ozark Christian College.
We warmly welcome Dr. Rierson to the faculty and look forward to her contributions, especially in the BA in Scripture and Culture.
