Welcoming Pace’s Next Provost: Alison Carr-Chellman, PhD

Image

Following a national search, Pace University is pleased to announce that Alison Carr-Chellman, PhD, has joined as provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. A nationally respected scholar and seasoned leader in higher education, Carr-Chellman brings with her more than two decades of academic and administrative experience that spans teaching, research, and institution-wide innovation.

Her career reflects a deep commitment to academic excellence, shared governance, and the student experience. Her leadership has consistently focused on elevating institutional reputation while driving student outcomes and fostering inclusive learning environments.

At the University of Dayton, where she most recently served as dean of the School of Education and Health Sciences, she led a period of substantial strategic growth. She managed a $29 million budget, expanded research funding, and spearheaded initiatives to support equity, inclusion, and student success. Under her guidance, the school improved its national rankings and achieved a remarkable 100 percent job placement rate for undergraduates in teacher education and health sciences.

“Provost Carr-Chellman stood out in this search for her strength as a scholar, her clear and confident communication, and her ability to build strong relationships with faculty and academic leaders,” said Pace University President Marvin Krislov. “She brings a strategic vision shaped by a genuine commitment to student learning and institutional progress. We’re excited for the leadership she will bring as Pace continues to strengthen its academic reputation, expand scholarly productivity and support the success of our faculty, students, and programs.”

Joining at a Time of Momentum

Carr-Chellman’s arrival coincides with a dynamic chapter in Pace’s evolution. The University is currently transforming its Lower Manhattan campus at One Pace Plaza, expanding its academic offerings in high-demand fields, and investing in cutting-edge facilities, from an advanced Cyber Range and new artificial intelligence labs to a planned modernization of the Center for Healthcare Simulation in Pleasantville. Among these developments is the recent addition of undergraduate and graduate degrees in artificial intelligence, key to preparing students for the rapidly evolving workforce.

Carr-Chellman’s career path has prepared her well for this moment. Before her time at Dayton, she served as dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences at the University of Idaho and spent over 20 years at Penn State University, where she held faculty and administrative roles. Her research has consistently explored systems thinking, instructional design, organizational change, and learning technologies.

A Distinguished Scholar and Advocate for Innovation

The author of seven books and more than 175 scholarly publications, Carr-Chellman has more than 14,000 citations on Google Scholar, a testament to the impact of her work. She has secured more than $8 million in external research funding, both as principal and co-principal investigator, and has lectured widely, delivering presentations in China, Norway, Brazil, France, Japan, and Qatar. Her TED Talk, “Gaming to Re-engage Boys in Learning,” has been viewed more than 1.5 million times.

Throughout her career, she has been known for her collaborative leadership style and her advocacy for broadening access to high-impact, student-centered learning experiences. Her portfolio includes major initiatives in program development, accreditation, online and hybrid education, experiential learning, and community-engaged scholarship.

“Pace has a unique mission rooted in access, excellence and opportunity, and that resonates deeply with me,” Provost Carr-Chellman said. “I’m excited to bring my experience in academic innovation, collaborative leadership and student-centered learning to a community so clearly dedicated to helping students excel and create lives they are proud of.”

Carr-Chellman holds a PhD in instructional systems from Indiana University Bloomington, as well as both a Master of Science in instructional systems and a Bachelor of Science in education from Syracuse University.

As provost, she will serve as Pace University’s chief academic officer, responsible for overseeing academic strategy, research development, faculty affairs, and major academic initiatives across the University’s campuses.