Paul M. Akin was appointed as provost and senior vice president for academic administration of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in June 2022. Previously, Dr. Akin served as dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Ministry. Akin’s career has been defined by missions and missions mobilization. Prior to coming to SBTS, Akin served as team leader for new missionary sending at the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. He has lived and worked in Africa and the Middle East, trained missionaries in the local church and seminary contexts, and served alongside missionary teams in more than 40 countries.

Akin earned both M.Div. and Ph.D. degrees from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where his father, Danny Akin, is president. He has written articles on missionary service and mobilization. He also serves as assistant professor of Christian Missions.

A native of Dallas, Akin is married to Kari, with whom he has four children. He hopes a Great Commission fervor is obvious among the students of Southern Seminary during his time as provost.