Joy J. Moore has resigned as president of Northern Seminary, a Baptist school near Chicago, after months of uncertainty over her status, school officials said. Moore was the first Black president of the school.

Moore, a scholar and professor of biblical preaching, was named president in November 2024 and began work soon afterward. Northern hailed her at the time for “her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to theological education.” 

Northern, based in Lisle, Illinois, first announced Moore’s resignation in October during a fundraising dinner the night before her planned installation ceremony. Moore disputed the claim, and the school quickly deleted the announcement, creating confusion over who was in charge. 

The school said Friday that the confusion stemmed from a misunderstanding during a board meeting before the fundraising dinner and a breakdown of trust between Moore and the board. 

“During Dr. Moore’s tenure as president, however, it gradually became clear that there was a disconnect between the board and Dr. Moore,” the statement said. “Looking back, everyone involved acknowledges that there were missed opportunities for better communication of expectations and clarification of roles. Over time, this disconnect led to a loss of trust that both the president and the board recognized needed to be addressed.” 

Northern said discussions eventually led to a mutual decision to part ways. The school also offered to refund donations made during the October fundraising dinner. 

“At the conclusion of a meeting with the board just prior to a scheduled Scholarship Dinner on Oct. 9, Dr. Moore expressed that she did not feel she could successfully move forward in her role or take the oath of office,” the announcement said. “While the board understood her remarks as a voluntary decision to step away from her position, Dr. Moore understood her comments to be prompts for further discussion.” 

Ingrid Faro, a professor of Old Testament at Northern, has been named interim president. 

Moore is the second consecutive Northern president to resign amid controversy. In 2023, President William Shiell resigned after being accused of bullying employees, which he denied. 

Northern reported 223 students, most of them part time, for the 2024-25 academic year, according to the Association of Theological Schools.