Nicholas Cumming Appointed Director of the Center for Faith and Learning

Nicholas Cumming (’10, MDiv ’13, MS ’13,), humanities program coordinator and associate professor of humanities at Seaver College, has been announced as the new director of the Center for Faith and Learning (CFL), a University-wide initiative that advances Pepperdine’s Christian mission by equipping faculty to thoughtfully integrate faith and scholarly excellence. 

“Professor Cumming is a celebrated teacher and leader at Pepperdine,” says provost Jay Brewster. “I am inspired by his expansive vision for the Center for Faith and Learning, leveraging the strengths of the past while seeking to deepen the impact of the center across the University’s six schools. The center stands out as a central example of Pepperdine’s unwavering commitment to our Christian mission.” 

Cumming earned his PhD in theology and religious studies at King’s College London, with a specialty in the history of early modern Christianity. A triple alumnus of Seaver College, he earned a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications (’10) and master’s degrees in both ministry and divinity (’13). A widely published scholar, Cumming has recently authored several book chapters, articles, and a recent monograph entitled Francis Turretin (1623–87) and the Reformed Tradition. Cummings also serves as an Elder at the Hollywood Church of Christ where he fulfills a variety of roles including preaching, teaching, and pastoral care.

Since joining the Seaver faculty in 2017, Cumming has taught courses on topics spanning from church history and historical theology to those of foundational Western Civilization, among others. He has presented research at the American Society of Church History, the Reformation Research Consortium, and the Institute of Historical Research at the University of London.  

Under Cumming’s leadership, the CFL will continue to serve as a vital resource for Pepperdine as well as for Christian higher education. Cumming shares that he is especially eager to draw upon his scholarly expertise by “aiding the Pepperdine community to engage in the practices and perspectives of the historic Christian faith, not as ancillary to academic life, but as foundational to it.” 

Founded in 1999 by Distinguished Professor Emeritus Richard Hughes, CFL has been a primary catalyst to support faculty to see their Christian calling as integral to their work as teachers, mentors, scholars, and researchers. Through seminars, invited speakers, retreats, and grant-funded programs, CFL provides opportunities for faculty development and thoughtful integration of faith-based perspectives across the curriculum and co-curriculum. 

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead the Center for Faith and Learning into its next chapter and to build on the remarkable work it has done over the past 25 years,” says Cumming. “Ultimately, our work is ordered toward the holistic formation of our students, and the center has an important role to play in strengthening Pepperdine’s Christian mission across every aspect of our academic life. I’m thankful to Provost Brewster for this opportunity and ask for the community’s prayers as I begin this new role.”

Lean more about the Center for Faith and Learning.