WKU News

A veteran educator with international experience has been named Regional Chancellor of WKU’s campus in Elizabethtown/Ft. Knox.

Dr. Evelyn Ellis

Dr. Evelyn Ellis, currently the Chief of Staff/Education Operations Manager at the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity, Department of Defense Dependents’ School in South Korea, will begin her new position July 28.

“Delivering higher education access to learners throughout our region and beyond is a critical role for the WKU Regional Campuses,” said Dennis George, Associate Provost for Regional Higher Education and Dean of the University College. “A strong, visionary leader is essential to ensure that we provide this ‘access to success’ to the constituencies we serve.”

Dr. George said Dr. Ellis “brings a wealth of relevant educational administrative leadership experience, both domestically and abroad, to this role. Additionally, her extensive experience in academic administration for the military will be of significant benefit, not only in our outreach to the military community at Fort Knox but also to thousands of active duty military, veterans and their families worldwide. I eagerly anticipate the innovative leadership that I’m confident she will provide to and I truly look forward to working with her.”

Dr. Ellis said she was thrilled, honored and humbled to be selected as the Regional Chancellor.

“How often in one’s career does the opportunity to forge the future for generations to come arise?” she said. “While I will, no doubt, miss working overseas, I am eager to make my new home in Elizabethtown and to join the Hilltoppers’ leadership team. I look forward to working with WKU colleagues, friends of the university, community members and other stakeholders to ensure the students served at Elizabethtown and Fort Knox continue to have a collegiate experience that is well-rounded and second to none.”

Prior to her taking her post in South Korea in 2012, Dr. Ellis was the Associate Dean for Academic Support Services at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. She has also held several positions at the Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University in Normal, Ala., including Dean of the University College and Interim Director of Admissions.

Dr. Ellis holds an educational doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles; master’s degrees in elementary education from Drury University in Springfield, Mo., and in educational administration and supervision from the University of Texas at El Paso; and a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from UTEP.

WKU Elizabethtown/Ft. Knox serves more than 900 students from 17 Kentucky counties with a mix of online and traditional face-to-face courses for undergraduate and graduate students.

Contact: Dennis George, (270) 745-3570.