Dr. Todd Vasquez
Dr. Vasquez loves to study and teach on the deep things of life. He brings a breadth of expertise from his studies in Theology (Ph.D.), Bible and Philosophy of Religion and Ethics (M.A.). He has been coding since the days of the Commodor64 and the Apple II, developing customized scripts and routines to automate his own workflows, and he stays up-to-date on all of the latest technological innovations. He also works as an Instructional Designer for Fresno Pacific University, assisting faculty with the design and facilitation of their online courses and leading professional development webinars on how to use the latest educational technologies.
Professional Experience: Todd brings a depth of experience and expertise in education and technology. He received his Ph.D. in Theology from Loyola University in Chicago and an M.A. in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics from Talbot School of Theology. Todd has taught online courses in the Interpretation of the Bible, New Testament, Christian Doctrine, Early Christianity, as well as courses in Ethics and Philosophy. As an adjunct for FPU, Todd has taught courses in Ethics in Computing, Introduction to Philosophy, Philosophy of Religion, and the Gospel of John.
In addition, he has extensive background in the use and deployment of Apple technologies in educational environments. He was among the first to deploy Apple’s iPad technology in a K-12 environment and he worked for many years as a Genius for Apple.
Todd scripted his own productivity system based on David Allen’s GTD® method and he enjoys learning hacks related to project planning and task-management. He is known for writing Applescripts, spreadsheet equations, or macros to streamline his productivity and/or automate repetitive tasks. Since is an Instructional Designer for the Center for Online Learning at FPU.
Since coming on board, he has been a catalyst for positive changes related to keeping FPU's educational technologies fresh and relevant, providing peer-based coaching of FPU faculty in the design and facilitation of their online courses, and leveraging ideas to streamline the faculty and student experience of online education.
Personal Experience: Todd is married to his wife, Lisa, for 25 years. They have two daughters. They enjoy reading, taking family walks, and spending quality time together.
Scholarly Interests: Role of the Shema in the New Testament; Trinitarian Theology; Gospel of John; The Use of Creeds in the Formation of New Testament Epistles; Psychology of Inaction; Ethics in Computing; Spiritual Formation
Publications:Vasquez, Todd D. Review of Richard of Saint Victor, On the Trinity. Translation and Commentary by Ruben Angelici. Journal of Augustinian Studies 44, no. 2 (2013): 293-296; Dissertation: “The Art of Trinitarian Articulation: A Case Study on Richard of St. Victor’s De Trinitate.”
Recommended Reading: Richard of St. Victor's, “De Trinitate” and Yves Congar, “I Believe in the Holy Spirit”
Favorite Bible Verse: Deuteronomy 6:4-5; John 17
Favorite Music: JohnnySwin
Favorite Activities: Meditation & Contemplation; Research & Writing; Taking Walks; Writing; Automating; Teaching; Inspiring; Getting to the Bottom of Things; Musing & Brainstorming
Family Info: Married to wife for 25+ years with two daughters
What Matters: Seeking oneness of life and love with God, ourselves, and each other
Pet Peeves: Seeing people do things that could be automated; Doing mindless, routine things; Waiting for progress bars to finish; Loud, obnoxious noises; Seeing people waste their human potential; Pushing the toothpaste from the middle instead of rolling it up from the bottom
What I Like About FPU: Everyone is given the opportunity to feel like they are a unique part of one family, with something special to contribute from who they are.