Rev. Dr. Cynthia Campbell

Denomination: Presbyterian Church (USA) (PCUSA)
Organization: McCormick Theological Seminary

Rev. Dr. Cynthia Campbell is a distinguished leader in American theological education and ordained ministry. A native of Pasadena, California, she earned her B.A. from Occidental College and her M.Div. from Harvard Divinity School. Ordained in 1974 in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), she has served congregations in Dallas and Ft. Worth, Texas, and held teaching and leadership roles at several seminaries.

Dr. Campbell earned her Ph.D. in theology from Southern Methodist University, and in 1981 joined the faculty of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, where she also directed the Doctor of Ministry program. In 1988, she became pastor/head of staff of First Presbyterian Church in Salina, Kansas—one of the first large PCUSA churches to call a woman as senior minister.

In 1995, Dr. Campbell was elected the ninth president of McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, becoming the first woman to lead a PCUSA seminary. Her presidency was marked by innovation in multicultural theological education and a commitment to justice. Following her retirement in 2011, she served as pastor of Highland Presbyterian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, until 2020.

A noted author and contributor to works like Feasting on the Word and Connections, she co-authored Meeting Jesus at the Table and wrote A Multitude of Blessings, a Christian approach to religious diversity. She also served on the drafting committee for the Brief Statement of Faith of the PCUSA.

In retirement, she enjoys playing handbells and continues to serve on the Committee on Preparation for Ministry in the Mid-Kentucky Presbytery.