Whitworth University Announces Permanent Appointment of John Pell as Provost & Executive Vice President
“Over the course of the academic year, Dr. Pell has led and served with distinction,” McQuilkin says. “In conversations with the academic deans and Faculty Executive, it was manifestly evident that a national search for a permanent provost was unwarranted. John has earned the respect and confidence of the community. In addition to his faculty colleagues, Dr. Pell has earned the admiration of the cabinet, the Whitworth Board of Trustees, and the breadth of campus offices with which academics interacts. In my daily conversations with John on matters strategic, organizational, personnel-related and missional, he has been exceptional. I value his judgment, his leadership and his partnership.”
Pell joined Whitworth’s English department faculty in 2012 and was appointed interim dean of the College of Arts & Sciences in 2021. In 2022, he was appointed dean of CAS, overseeing the operations of 17 arts and sciences graduate and undergraduate departments with more than 150 full-time faculty, 47 undergraduate majors, and nearly 2,500 undergraduate students. From 2021-23 he administered graduate programs in theology, Master of Athletic Training, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Doctor of Occupational Therapy, which eventually led to the launch of the School of Health Sciences in 2023. Pell provided administrative support for nearly 80 academic programs, including the University Writing Program, Women’s & Gender Studies, and the shared curriculum, Whitworth’s general education program. His profound understanding of the principles at the core of Whitworth’s mind-and-heart educational philosophy has been widely recognized and commended by his colleagues.
“I am overjoyed by the appointment of John Pell as Whitworth University's provost,” says Mark Baird, associate professor of psychology and faculty president. “Dr. Pell has proved to be an effective leader throughout his time at Whitworth. Not only does he grasp the nuance of higher education; his welcoming demeanor, sense of humor and encouraging presence help propel us toward a shared vision of excellence. He has proved to be an effective advocate for faculty, staff and students, and Whitworth faculty have overwhelmingly expressed approval of his leadership. Dr. Pell embodies the ideals of Whitworth. I am excited for this next chapter of Whitworth University with John Pell as our provost.”
Pell is known for being an extremely effective and outcome-driven administrator, noted for his capacity to transform strategic vision into actionable initiatives. In collaboration with President McQuilkin, Pell has played a pivotal role in guiding the university during a period of significant challenges within the higher education sector.
“In a moment when the importance of higher education is being questioned, Whitworth University provides a clear and compelling answer – amongst the pines and alongside a community of Christian scholars, students will have a transformative experience that prepares them to serve and thrive in a world that desperately needs the kinds of creative and compassionate leaders our education nurtures,” Pell says. “Whitworth is well positioned for the future. Our undergraduate programs rooted in the Christian liberal arts foster innovation and character development; our graduate programs are thriving, and our national reputation continues to grow as we expand our reach with new doctoral programs; and our mind-and-heart mission is even more accessible to adult learners through our exceptional, highly personalized fully online programs. In short, Whitworth’s mission has never been more relevant, and I look forward to working with world-class faculty in state-of-the-art facilities to help chart the course toward the horizon of Whitworth’s very bright future.”
Before joining the faculty at Whitworth University, Pell served as an instructor in Stanford University's Program in Writing and Rhetoric. The program’s curriculum emphasizes the development of students' skills in rhetorical analysis and the construction of research-based arguments.
Pell holds a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and bachelor of arts and master of arts degrees from Western Washington University.
Pell and his wife, Sarah, are the proud parents of three children. He is active in the Spokane community, serving as a board member for both the Spokane International Academy and New Community Church. A mountaineer and backpacker, Pell seeks renewal in the wild places, drawing inspiration from the spirit of adventure and discovery that defines the Pacific Northwest.
About Whitworth University:
Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private Christian liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university, which has an enrollment of about 2,500 students, offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Contacts:
Trisha Coder, assoc. director of media relations, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or tcoder@whitworth.edu.
