Mardell Wilson, EdD

Mardell Wilson, EdD, was named provost at Creighton University effective October 1, 2020. Dr. Wilson previously served as Professor and Dean of the Edward and Margaret Doisy College of Health Sciences at Saint Louis University (SLU) since August 2014.

Prior to her time at SLU, Dr. Wilson spent 17 years as a Professor and Administrator at Illinois State University. From 2009 to 2014, she served as the Associate Vice President for Academic Fiscal Management in the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Illinois State.

She began her tenure at Illinois State in 1997 as an Assistant Professor of Food, Nutrition and Dietetics in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, and was promoted to full professor in 2010.

Dr. Wilson earned her undergraduate degree in Human Resources and Family Studies Dietetics from the University of Illinois and her master’s degree in the field from Eastern Illinois University. Her EdD is in Curriculum and Instruction from Illinois State University. Dr. Wilson is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

At both SLU and Illinois State, Dr. Wilson worked to cultivate an environment in which inclusivity and appreciation for diverse perspectives were fostered and celebrated. Dr. Wilson has continued that work at Creighton University and is excited about the advances the institution continues to make.

With her background in the allied health professions and in her role as Dean of the Health Sciences College at SLU, Dr. Wilson effectively collaborated with deans and faculty across the university’s schools and colleges, and developed a five-year research plan, a peer-reviewed publication support program, and the foundation for an interdisciplinary PhD program, among other initiatives.

During her tenure at Creighton University, Wilson led an effort to modify how new academic programs are conceptualized that emphasizes strategy and market viability while remaining mission centric. Additional accomplishments include the development of a spend-management incentive program for schools and colleges, the creation of a three-year Research & Scholarship Strategic map, aligning academic programs to discipline specific units, and the re-imaging of an existing college to focus on lifelong learning now known as the College for Professional & Continuing Education. Furthermore, Dr. Wilson has been an active proponent in enhancing the significant partnership between CommonSpirit Health and Creighton University.