معرفی
Jill M. Fort, PhD, serves as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty at Graceland University, leveraging over 15 years of higher education leadership experience with a tenured professorship in Criminal Justice. Her career includes prior roles as Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs and Interim Vice President/Dean of the School of Business at Newman University, demonstrating expertise in accreditation, academic innovation, and strategic program development.
Her educational credentials include:
- PhD in Criminal Justice and Criminology from the University of Nebraska-Omaha
- MBA from Newman University
- MA in Criminal Justice from Wichita State University
- BS in Criminal Justice from Wichita State University
Dr. Fort's research integrates criminal justice scholarship with institutional leadership, emphasizing evidence-based student retention frameworks, expansion of rural educational access, and mental health support systems. Her work bridges theoretical criminology with practical administrative solutions to enhance student success in underserved communities.
Grant Leadership:
- Secured and managed $6+ million in funding targeting rural higher education access and student mental health initiatives
- Developed campus-wide retention strategies and a dedicated student success center
- Forged community college partnerships to extend outreach in underserved regions
Her community engagement spans the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office, United Way, and Humane Society, reflecting a commitment to public service beyond academia.
