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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DECATUR, Ga. — Columbia Theological Seminary announced today that President Victor Aloyo, Jr. will retire effective December 31, 2026, concluding his tenure of dedicated leadership and service to the Seminary community. In his fifth year as president, Dr. Aloyo has served as Columbia’s first President of color in its 198-year history and the first Latine President among the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s related theological institutions. His retirement marks the culmination of more than forty-five years of distinguished service in congregational pastoral ministry and higher theological education.
The announcement comes as Columbia approaches its third century of service to the Church and enters this transition with strengthened institutional foundations, growing momentum in enrollment, expanded partnerships, a strong board, a capable leadership team, and a solid foundation on which to build its future.
“Serving Columbia Theological Seminary has been one of the deepest honors of my life,” Dr. Aloyo said. “This community has demonstrated extraordinary faithfulness, resilience, creativity, and courage during a defining season in theological education. Together, we have strengthened Columbia’s mission while preparing the Seminary faithfully and sustainably for its third century of leadership formation.”
Rev. Elizabeth Cole Goodrich, Chair of the Board of Trustees, expressed deep appreciation for Dr. Aloyo’s leadership and confidence in the Seminary’s future.
“When Victor arrived at Columbia, the seminary was still finding its footing after the stresses of the pandemic and a season of change,” Goodrich said. “Almost immediately, his energy, welcoming spirit, and joyful faith as both pastor and scholar made an impact on our campus. Columbia Seminary enters this next phase with a strong sense of mission and growing momentum. Victor has led with wisdom, integrity, and a pastoral spirit, bringing people together through his warmth and genuine care for the community. We are grateful for Victor’s leadership and remain committed to ensuring a thoughtful and effective transition.”
Colleagues and church partners have especially valued Dr. Aloyo’s gift for building relationships, encouraging others, leading strategically, and fostering a spirit of hospitality and hope during a period of significant change.
Over the past several years, Columbia has engaged in a comprehensive effort to strengthen enrollment, enhance organizational effectiveness, and ensure long-term institutional sustainability. Working with faculty, staff, students, alumni, church leaders, and supporters, the Seminary has advanced strategic priorities designed to strengthen its witness and extend its impact across the Church and the world.
During this period, Columbia expanded partnerships with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the global church, and ecumenical communities; invested in student recruitment and formation; enhanced support for faculty excellence and innovation; increased engagement with alumni and donors; and broadened opportunities for lifelong learning, public theology, and leadership development.
Throughout his tenure, Dr. Aloyo remained devoted to preaching, teaching, and leadership across congregations, presbyteries, synods, and ecumenical gatherings, and helped expand the Seminary’s global engagement across Asia, the Caribbean, and beyond. Notable appearances included the closing worship at the 226th General Assembly (2024), the Global Mar Thoma Convention in Kerala, India (2025), and the National Black Presbyterian Conference’s 2025 biennial gathering. His broader contributions to theological education were recently recognized through his induction into the Martin Luther King Jr. Collegium of Scholars at Morehouse College.
Reflecting on his decision to retire, Dr. Aloyo shared that the transition follows prayerful discernment with his wife, Suzette, and a desire to devote more time to family after decades of ministry and leadership. He expressed gratitude for his family, colleagues, and friends, whose support made his ministry possible.
“As I prepare for this transition, I do so with profound gratitude and enduring hope,” Dr. Aloyo said. “I remain deeply confident in Columbia Seminary’s future and in God’s continued guidance of this beloved institution.”
During the remainder of his tenure, Dr. Aloyo will continue working closely with the Board of Trustees and Seminary leadership to advance the Seminary’s strategic priorities and ensure a smooth transition. The Board affirmed that Columbia Theological Seminary enters this period of transition with strengthened organizational stewardship, growing momentum in enrollment and philanthropy, and an unwavering commitment to preparing faithful, imaginative, and effective leaders for the Church and the world.
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About Columbia Theological Seminary
Founded in 1828 in Columbia, South Carolina and moved to Decatur, Georgia in 1927, Columbia Theological Seminary is a graduate school of theology related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Columbia prepares faithful, imaginative, and courageous leaders for the Church and the world through graduate theological education, continuing education, and research.
Media/Seminary Contact
Wes Browning
Senior Director of Communications and Marketing
Columbia Theological Seminary
(404) 687-4622
BrowningW@ctsnet.edu
