Faculty Bio

Rev. Dr. Kevin Swann

Rev. Dr. Kevin G. Swann is the Senior Pastor of Ivy Baptist Church in Newport News, Virginia where he began his service in 2006.  Since his arrival, the church has grown numerically and spiritually, from a congregation size of 350 to now 2,000 members.

Dr. Swann has an earned Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree (both in Counseling) from Old Dominion University (Norfolk, VA), (1993 and 1995 respectively).  Dr. Swann also has an earned Doctor of Ministry Degree from South Florida Theological Seminary (2010). Dr. Swann has received two honorary Doctorate degrees from St. Thomas Christian College (2008) and Canaan Theological Seminary (2009).

While attending Old Dominion, he played basketball for the Monarchs and was team’s Co-captain for the 1993-1994 season. In addition, Dr. Swann worked at the University as an Academic Advisor (1998-1999 and Director of Orientation/Preview (1999-2002).

Currently, Dr. Swann is an Adjunct Professor in the Religious Studies Department at Hampton University. In addition, Dr. Swann has received numerous community service awards, most recently including the NAACP “Living Legends Award” (2012) and Newport News Office of Human Affairs Community Service person of the year (2011). He authored his first book, entitled Survive and Advance: Effective Strategies for Christian Leaders. Most recently, he was the recipient of The Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC) 2021 Peninsula Humanitarian Award.

In 2007, Dr. Swann co-founded and is the co-host of the “Pastor’s Study,” a weekly radio broadcast that airs on WHOV 88.1FM, in Hampton, Virginia.  In addition, he founded Kevin Swann Ministries a non-profit faith-based organization that provides services to underprivileged youth and adults in the Southeastern, VA area. Dr. Swann is a regular contributor to the religious column in the Daily Press (Hampton Roads, VA) newspaper that features his writings on a quarterly basis. Dr. Swann also writes a daily inspirational blog called “Moments with our Master” that reaches thousands of people across the United States and abroad.

Dr. Swann is married to Tatrece Dunlap Swann (also an Old Dominion alumnus) and they have two children; daughter, Kameron and son, Cole.