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Elder James R. Rasband Named Commissioner of Church Education, Effective April 1

Church leaders cite his academic preparation for overseeing a global education system rooted in faith.

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Elder James R. Rasband, General Authority Seventy and assistant executive director of the Temple Department, speaks during the Lindon Utah Temple media briefing and tour in Lindon on Monday, March 9, 2026.

Overview

  • Elder James R. Rasband was appointed on March 11 to lead the Church Educational System, with his call taking effect April 1.
  • He succeeds Elder Clark G. Gilbert, who was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in February.
  • As commissioner, he will oversee BYU, BYU–Idaho, BYU–Hawaii, Ensign College, BYU–Pathway Worldwide, and Seminaries and Institutes.
  • CES serves nearly 1 million students with about 70,000 instructors across more than 180 countries.
  • A Harvard Law graduate and former BYU law dean and academic vice president, Rasband is a General Authority Seventy who most recently served in the Church’s Temple Department.