Dr. Denise Wells became vice president of Academic Affairs on July 1, 2024. Her tenure at the University began in 2004 as an assistant nursing professor. She then assumed leadership roles as chair of the BSN Program and was dean of the College of Health Professions for 10 years. Dr. Wells was named assistant vice president of Academic Affairs in May 2022.

Her extensive background as a nurse and academic leader uniquely qualifies her to drive innovation and excellence in educational programs. As an experienced nurse leader and academic educator, Dr. Wells has worked in various clinical settings and the higher education industry. She is adept at e-learning, clinical research, assessment, and accreditation.

“I am honored to further serve the Wilmington University community in this new role,” says Dr. Wells. The University’s mission inspires her, since it is “centered on empowering students to achieve their personal and professional goals.”

She is committed to fostering academic excellence and innovation in teaching and learning, and, she adds, looks forward to “continued collaboration with our dedicated faculty and staff.  This is an exciting time for higher education, and we are well-positioned to support our students in realizing their dreams. Together, we will continue to build an inclusive and diverse environment where every student can thrive.”

A faculty mentor of the WilmU Cheerleading Team since 2019, Dr. Wells received the 2021–2022 Leadership Award from the Delaware American Council on Education Women’s Network (DAWN), which is granted to women in higher education who demonstrate progressive leadership. She was a Delaware Today Excellence in Nursing Education honoree and earned the Citizenship Award during her Woman of the Year Campaign for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Delaware Chapter.

After earning her nursing diploma at Beebe School of Nursing, Dr. Wells received her BSN, MSN, and Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership, all at Wilmington University. She is a certified academic nurse educator and a National League for Nursing member.