University Officers
Allan Belton
Allan Belton became the 14th president of Pacific Lutheran University in 2017, bringing to the presidency a combination of business acumen, higher education experience, curiosity, and a willingness to challenge convention. A self-described believer in doing things differently when a better path exists, Belton has embraced the opportunity to lead PLU with both an eye toward what is next and a deep appreciation for what makes the university distinctive.
At the heart of his leadership is a simple belief: people matter, and how we care for one another matters. That belief is deeply connected to PLU’s mission and to the university’s commitment to educating students for lives of thoughtful inquiry, service, leadership, and care.
Belton often points to PLU’s “Lutes Open Doors” ethos as a powerful expression of that culture. For him, holding doors is about more than a gesture – it represents a willingness to notice one another, make room for others, show up, and lead with generosity. It is the kind of care he believes should extend from the classroom to the boardroom and into the broader community.
As president, Belton is committed to ensuring that PLU remains a place where students receive an exceptional education while also being known, challenged, supported, and prepared to make a difference.
Leading PLU Forward
Belton’s leadership reflects PLU’s own spirit of being a Trailblazer – curious about what is possible, unafraid to experiment, and willing to move beyond traditional approaches when circumstances call for something new.
Under his leadership, PLU has pursued innovative approaches to access, affordability, partnerships, academic programming, and institutional sustainability. He has championed strategic partnerships that extend PLU’s reach and impact, while encouraging the university community to think creatively about how a small, mission-driven university can meet the changing needs of students and the region.
In his first five years as president, Belton led the execution of a five-year strategic plan for PLU, which focused on strengthening the academic experience, deepening commitments to diversity, justice, and sustainability, and advancing four strategic pillars: identity and messaging, environment and well-being, innovation and change, and resources and stewardship.
In his second five years, recognizing the rapidly changing external environment, he led the organization in shifting our horizon to long term vision supported by multi-year strategy and annual strategic tactics.
Expanding Access & Affordability
As the first in his family to attend college, and as a beneficiary of Washington state financial aid grant funding that made his education possible, Belton has made educational access and affordability central to PLU’s work. Under his leadership, the university established the PLU 253 Bound Scholarship, creating a clear pathway to full tuition coverage for eligible local students, while expanding automatic admission partnerships with school districts throughout Washington.
He has also been an active advocate for state financial aid programs, including the Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship—programs that are particularly important to PLU’s commitment to first-generation students and students from historically underserved communities.
For Belton, access is not simply about opening the door to college. It is about making sure students have a meaningful opportunity to walk through it and thrive once they arrive.
Building Partnerships for Health & Community
Recognizing the growing need for health professionals throughout the region, Belton has championed the Partnership for Health Innovation, bringing together higher education, healthcare, and community partners to expand health-science education, strengthen community health resources, and create new career pathways for PLU graduates.
The partnership reflects Belton’s broader approach to leadership: identify a challenge, bring people together, and look for a solution that no single institution could create alone.
Background & Professional Experience
Belton joined Pacific Lutheran University in 2015 as Chief Financial Officer. His responsibilities expanded as he became Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, overseeing business operations, finance, human resources, facilities and construction management, information technology, and risk management.
Before joining PLU, Belton spent 25 years in corporate and public finance at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
That experience shaped his practical, analytical approach to leadership, while his work at PLU has reinforced something he considers equally important: institutions are ultimately about people. His leadership brings together strategic thinking and operational discipline with a strong belief in relationships, collaboration, and the power of a shared mission.
Education & Personal Life
Belton holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from Washington State University.
Deeply rooted in the South Sound community, Allan is married to Melinda Krotz Belton, a 1991 PLU graduate and co-leader of PLU’s philanthropic HIVE project. They reside in Gig Harbor, Washington, and are the parents of three adult children.
Away from the office, Belton remains curious about the world around him and deeply invested in the people and communities he serves. Whether he is talking about the future of higher education, finding a new way to solve a familiar problem, or simply holding the door for someone else, he brings the same philosophy to leadership: care deeply, think differently, and make room for others.
Joanna Gregson, Ph.D.
Joanna Gregson, Ph.D., serves as the Executive Vice President of University Strategy and Effectiveness at Pacific Lutheran University. Drawing on nearly three decades of dedicated service as both a classroom educator and senior administrator at PLU, she oversees the overarching strategic direction, institutional growth, and external engagement for the university.
To proactively navigate the evolving higher-education landscape, Dr. Gregson leads a division that unifies Admission, Financial Aid, Athletics, and Marketing & Communications with Advancement, Alumni & Student Connections, Sponsored Programs, and Institutional Research. Grounded in her background as a sociologist, her leadership leverages data-informed insights and deep stakeholder engagement to align university resources with institutional mission and effectiveness. Prior to this appointment, she served for nine years as PLU’s Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and 19 years as a faculty member in PLU’s Department of Sociology. In these roles, she established a strong legacy of cross-constituent collaboration, strategic institutional planning, and deep familiarity with the university’s distinctive academic programs.
Dr. Gregson earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Western Washington University and her Ph.D. from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Joanna Royce-Davis, Ph.D.
Joanna Royce-Davis, Ph.D., serves as the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academics and Student Experience at Pacific Lutheran University. Utilizing the skills and strengths gained from an almost 30-year career as both a classroom and co-curricular educator along with her senior leadership experiences at PLU and other private universities, Joanna leads an integrative division that brings together academic programs and resources for student wellbeing, engagement, and success.
Prior to assuming her role as PLU’s Provost, Dr. Royce-Davis served as PLU’s Vice President for Student Life for twelve years and Dean of Students and Director for and faculty in University of the Pacific’s higher education graduate program for fifteen years. With roots as a middle and high school special education teacher working in rural communities and with tribal nations, Joanna is committed to excellence in teaching, learning, and supports that serve all students equitably and well. Her prior experiences position her to hold the both/and of curricular and co-curricular learning experiences and to respond to changing student demographics and needs while simultaneously reimagining student resources to be integrative and holistic, consistent with how students expect to experience them.
Dr. Royce-Davis is known for her collaborative and innovative approaches to bridging the university’s academic mission and overall student experience, driving initiatives that support student success, well-being, and a vibrant campus community. With an educational background spanning Indiana University (B.S.), San Jose State University (M.A.), and Syracuse University (Ph.D.), Joanna possesses a sophisticated understanding of the diverse strengths of public and private higher education. She is a recognized expert in inclusive and active pedagogy, a focus honed during her time in Syracuse University’s prestigious Future Professoriate Project. This intensive preparation for university teaching informs her holistic view of the university as a unified learning environment.
Shalita Myrick
As the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for University Finance & Operations, Shalita Myrick leads the Division of University Finance & Operations which includes; Facilities Management & Housing Operations, Dining, Events, I&TS, Risk Services, Human Resources, Business Office, and Campus Safety. She also plays a critical role in the continued development of the Partnership for Health Innovation and many other strategic initiatives.
Myrick previously served as the principal project manager at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She’s also held leadership roles at Texas Children’s Hospital, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente, and AT&T.
Shalita holds a master’s degree in facilities management from The University of Texas at San Antonio and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Spelman College. She is also a graduate of the Los Angeles African American Women’s Public Policy Institute and serves the International Facilities Management Association’s Academic Facilities Council as the chair for young professionals.
Karen McConnell, Ph.D.
As Associate Vice President and Chief Institutional Effectiveness Officer, Karen McConnell, Ph.D. works closely with all divisions of the university to guide key strategic efforts and to measure and report on achievements and outcomes as they relate to accreditation, the strategic plan and fulfillment of the university mission. In addition to her role as CIEO, McConnell serves as the university’s Accreditation Liaison Officer with the Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities and is the senior administrator for the Office of Institutional Research and Analytics as well as Information and Technology Services.
Dr. McConnell joined PLU in 1998 as a faculty member in the Department of Kinesiology where she retains her faculty status as a Professor. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sport Medicine from the University of the Pacific; a Master’s degree in Exercise Science also from UOP and a Ph.D in Curriculum and Instruction in Exercise and Wellness Education from Arizona State University. During her tenure at PLU McConnell served 14 years as Associate Dean for Kinesiology and four years as Dean for the School of Education and Kinesiology. In addition, she was the Director of Assessment for five years prior to becoming the Chief Institutional Effectiveness Officer.
McConnell has a long record of service to the University including the Educational Policies Committee, Faculty Affairs Committee, Faculty Executive Committee, First Year Experience Committee, Benefits Committee and three different General Education reform and oversight committees. In addition, McConnell remains active as a scholar and author having published five k-12 health textbooks. McConnell regularly consults in areas of curricular design, program review and assessment development.
