Tracy Leavelle

Tracy Leavelle, PhD is Associate Dean for Humanities and Fine Arts in the College of Arts and Sciences at Creighton University. He serves as an associate professor of history, Director of the Creighton Digital Humanities Initiative, and Interim Director of the Native American Studies Program.

His research focuses on cross-cultural religious practices in colonial North America, particularly examining conversion as a dynamic process within Jesuit missions and Native communities of the Great Lakes and Mississippi Valley. Leavelle's work bridges historical scholarship with digital humanities methodologies, exploring the intersections of religion, colonialism, and cultural exchange. His research has evolved to examine connections between missionary labor and scientific enterprises supporting American expansion into the Pacific during the nineteenth century, while more recent publications demonstrate expanding interests in health humanities and medical education.

Leavelle's scholarly contributions include the acclaimed book The Catholic Calumet: Colonial Conversions in French and Indian North America (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2011), which has established him as a significant voice in Native American religious history. His publication record shows a consistent trajectory of scholarly excellence with articles spanning from early career works on Illinois Christianity to recent contributions in health humanities, demonstrating both disciplinary depth and intellectual versatility.

• Creighton College of Arts & Sciences Award for Professional Excellence in Teaching (2009)

As an educator, Leavelle teaches courses including The Native American World, United States History to 1877, Theories and Methods in American Studies, and Discovering Paradise in the Pacific. His leadership roles in the Digital Humanities Initiative and Native American Studies Program demonstrate institutional commitment to interdisciplinary scholarship and Indigenous studies. His recent health humanities publications suggest growing engagement with medical education and the integration of humanities into healthcare training.