Mike Shannon came to Southern Wesleyan University as the Assistant Vice President (AVP) of Student Life and one of the Campus Chaplains. He is currently a Co-Director of the Warrior CARE center and the Online Chaplain. Previously, Mike was the Air Force Special Operations Command Deputy Command Chaplain at Hurlburt Field, Florida before retiring in May of 2020.  In this capacity, he advised and assisted the AFSOC Commander and the Command Chaplain on matters related to religious, spiritual, ethical, moral, and morale concerns and provided policies toward meeting the diverse spiritual needs of 19 thousand military members, family members and authorized personnel throughout the command.

   As an ethical adviser and leader to the AFSOC Commander he was handpicked to represent AFSOC to the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) to provide input and develop a top to bottom analysis of Special Operations in ethical training and better prepare warriors for conduct becoming of our formations.

   Mike served the United States honorably for nearly 40 years in the Army (beginning in 1980 with the infantry) and Army National Guard prior to entering the Air Force. Chaplain Shannon entered the Air Force as a 1st Lt in January 2000.  Prior to entering the Air Force Mike graduated from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity with Emphasis in Biblical Languages. Mike also served six years as a pastor in Hudsonville, Michigan.

    Mike is married to Imelda Shannon; they have two grown children and four grandchildren. Besides spending time with his family and grandchildren Mike loves to read, study, think, hike, hunt, fish, and watch the Kansas City Chiefs.

(Current as of January 2024)