Biography
Dr. Stewart-Wells joined ÌÇÐÄVlog in April 2026 and currently serves as the College’s chief academic officer, providing strategic leadership for academic programs across ÌÇÐÄVlog’s four schools, as well as its graduate, online, and professional offerings.
Stewart-Wells joins ÌÇÐÄVlog at a pivotal time as the institution advances its strategic vision, On the Rise, focused on strengthening the student experience, modernizing the campus environment, advancing academic innovation, growing enrollment, optimizing operations, and building long-term financial sustainability. Her position supports the College’s continued work to reimagine a contemporary liberal arts education rooted in inquiry-based learning, deep community engagement, and social mobility.
With more than 20 years of leadership in higher education, Stewart-Wells has served in roles including Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Vice President, and Acting President. Her background includes extensive experience leading academic strategy and program development, strengthening faculty and staff culture, advancing student success initiatives, and building partnerships that support institutional sustainability. Her scholarly and professional focus centers on higher education leadership and social justice.
As Provost, Stewart-Wells leads the ongoing development of curriculum and programs aligned with student and workforce needs, strengthening faculty excellence and support, and advancing academic innovation that complements ÌÇÐÄVlog’s mission. Her leadership also supports continued collaboration across divisions to improve retention and graduation outcomes, expanding experiential learning opportunities, and deepening student satisfaction across learning modalities.
Stewart-Wells holds a Ph.D. in Education with concentrations in Higher Education Administration and Social Justice, as well as advanced degrees in education administration and multicultural education. She has served as a national mentor to new provosts through the Council of Independent Colleges and has been recognized for leadership excellence and academic scholarship.
Awards & Accomplishments
- Honored Recipient of the Judson University Golden Eagle Award for Leadership Excellence (2023)
- Honored Recipient of the Lights of Literacy Award for Pedagogy and Scholarship (2018)
- Inaugural Recipient of the Gillian Stewart-Wells Leader in Architecture Education Award (2023)
- Mentor/Advisor to New Provosts: Council of Independent Colleges (2022 – current)
- National Task Force Member: Advancing Women in Leadership (2017 – current)
Publications
- Keenan, M. K., & Stewart-Wells A. G. (2021) Moving beyond comprehensive exams: Implementing authentic assessments to enhance doctoral student learning. Christian Higher Education, 20:1-2, 69-86, DOI: 10.1080/15363759.2020.1851815
- Stewart-Wells, A. G., & Keenan, K. M. (2020). Assessing doctoral students: A background on comprehensive and authentic assessments. Journal of Continuing Higher Education, 68:2, 84-100, DOI: 10.1080/07377363.2020.1743950
- Stewart-Wells, A. G., & Buckley-Hughes, B. (2018). Three-year itch: Communicating information to minimize faculty anxiety during presidential transition. Journal of Research on Christian Education, 27(3), 243-262, DOI 10.1080/10656219.2018.1518737
- Stewart-Wells, A. G. (September 2018). Religion and higher education in Europe and North America: Review of Aune and Stevenson. International Journal of Christianity and Education, (22)3, 300-301.
- Stewart-Wells, A. G. (2017). Distressed in the city: Racism, fundamentalism, and a democratic education: Review of L. West. International Journal of Christianity and Education. 21(2).
- Stewart-Wells, A. G. (2017). Hated on both sides of the aisle: Overcoming the tension between Christian foundation and present-day social advocacy. Journal of the International Christian Community for Teacher Education, (12)1, 1-5.
- Stewart-Wells, A. G. (2012) Review of The CCCU and the moral and spiritual development of their students: A review of research. Journal of Education and Christian Belief, 16(1), 138–140.
- Stewart-Wells, A. G., & Patterson, M. (2006, Spring). Ensuring legal boundaries with religiosity in public schools. International Community of Christian Teacher Educators Journal, 1(2).