Shawna Vyhmeister has taught English and Education as an Adventist missionary on 6 different continents, where she has taught in 3 different languages. She began her professional career teaching in French-speaking Africa, then spent years working in Argentina, where she chaired the English Department. During her time at AIIAS in the Philippines, she chaired the Education Department, presiding over up to 9 extension programs at a time, and edited International Forum for 10 years. She
also founded the Writing Center and developed and wrote the AIIAS Research Standards.
When Dr. Vyhmeister moved once again to the African continent, it was to the Adventist University of Africa, based in Kenya, as Research Director and professor. During her time in Lebanon, Vyhmeister was also Research Director, as well as teaching research, TESOL, and graduate courses in education. Dr. Vyhmeister currently works as an Academic Consultant for AIIAS, which includes part-time teaching and research supervision, as well as various academic tasks.
Dr. Vyhmeister’s great love is teaching, and helping students learn and develop. She has spent much of her professional life developing and publishing materials that support learning. Her major research interests are in the integration of faith and learning, critical thinking, educational quality, and the teaching of writing.
Dr. Shawna Vyhmeister is married to Dr. Ronald Vyhmeister, and they have two adult children, both married, and three grandchildren, who are an important part of her life.
Dr. Vyhmeister recently published AIIAS: The First 50 Years (2023), a history of the founding of AIIAS and its growth and development. She is currently managing editor of the Handbook of the Integration of Faith and Learning, a large volume meant to serve all levels of education, which should be published within the next 6 months or so. Other publications include Celebrations!: Healthy Inside Out! (2014) with Sonia Krumm, and The Global Ethics Crisis: An Adventist Response (2015), which she edited, along with dozens of articles in various magazines and journals.
