Provost Bio

Karlyn Crowley

Provost

Education

• B.A., Earlham College
• M.A., Ph.D., University of Virginia

About

Karlyn Crowley, Ph.D., is the Provost at Ohio Wesleyan University, a distinguished liberal arts institution recognized among "Colleges That Change Lives." Her tenure is characterized by a strong commitment to innovation and strategic growth.

Since July 2020, Crowley has spearheaded transformative initiatives, including overseeing the first comprehensive general education revision in 50 years which introduced a "wicked problems" seminar and established a competencies-based model tied to career outcomes. She finalized academic program review and launched new programs such as Public Health, Entrepreneurship, and Nursing pathways. Her dedication to innovation extends to the establishment of the Teaching, Learning, Innovation Center and the development of the first micro-credential in Constructive Dialogue to supplement liberal arts degrees.

A champion of strategic partnerships, Crowley co-led a landmark transfer agreement with Columbus State Community College, resulting in a 110% increase in transfer student enrollment. In her career, she has worked with corporations such as Humana, Schneider, and the Green Bay Packers on educational collaborations at St. Norbert College, where she worked in various roles for 18 years. She also forged articulation agreements with institutions such as Case Western Reserve University, Miami of Ohio, and Mt. Carmel School of Nursing, creating pathways for advanced degrees. In the realm of philanthropy, she has worked throughout her career with donors to help launch an endowed center for belonging and to cultivate funding for academic program and faculty development.

Crowley's focus on student success is evident in her co-leadership of the "Move the Needle" retention initiative, achieving the largest first-to-second year retention increase in OWU's history from 78% to 85% first to second year. She has also overseen the creation of academic support courses, innovative initiatives in academic preparedness, as well as a new holistic advising initiative.

A recognized thought leader in higher education, Crowley is a frequent public speaker and presenter. She has delivered workshops for organizations including the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) and the Annapolis Group of Liberal Arts Colleges. Her opinion editorials have been published in Inside Higher Education, among others. She is deeply committed to the value of a liberal arts education and has dedicated her career to helping liberal arts colleges flourish.

Crowley holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of Virginia. She received her B.A. in English and Women's Studies, with Departmental and College Honors, from Earlham College.