John Pell, PhD
Provost and Executive Vice President
John Pell, Ph.D., serves as Provost and Executive Vice President at Whitworth University, where he provides leadership for the university’s academic enterprise, strategic planning, faculty affairs, accreditation, enrollment initiatives, and institutional innovation. A scholar-administrator with more than fifteen years of leadership experience in higher education, he is committed to advancing mission-driven education that prepares students for lives of purpose, leadership, and service. Prior to his appointment as Provost, Dr. Pell served as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Associate Dean, Director of the University Writing Program, and Professor of English at Whitworth University. Earlier in his career, he taught in the Program in Writing and Rhetoric at Stanford University and as an Assistant Professor of English at Elon University. He earned his B.A. and M.A. in English from Western Washington University and his Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Composition from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Throughout his career, Dr. Pell has championed the value of liberal arts education while leading initiatives that strengthen academic quality, expand access, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration. His leadership has contributed to the development of new academic programs across the arts, sciences, engineering, and health sciences, including support for Whitworth’s first doctoral programs and the establishment of the university’s School of Health Sciences. He has also guided institutional efforts in accreditation, faculty development, shared governance, student success, and strategic enrollment planning. An advocate for collaboration and innovation, Dr. Pell believes chief academic officers play a vital role in helping institutions navigate change while remaining anchored to their educational mission. Through service with the Association of Chief Academic Officers, he seeks to contribute to national conversations on academic leadership, governance, and the future of higher education. |
