Rate My Professor Carole Wells

Dr. Carole Wells has had a distinguished career at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania spanning over two decades in academic administration and faculty roles. She earned a B.A. in psychology from LaSalle University, an M.A. in counseling psychology from Kutztown University in 1991, an M.S. in social psychology from Temple University, and a Ph.D. in social psychology and human resource management from Temple University. Her experiences as a graduate student at Kutztown University inspired a lifelong passion for promoting graduate education, emphasizing the personal and professional fulfillment derived from advanced degrees. Wells began her tenure at the university as a faculty member in the Department of Psychology, where she taught for ten years. She advanced to Associate Dean for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, serving in that capacity for four years, before her appointment as Vice Provost of Academic Affairs in 2008. Subsequently, she served as Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies, overseeing the development and expansion of graduate programs from early offerings in art and elementary education to 28 master's programs.

In January 2021, Dr. Wells assumed the role of Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, functioning as the chief academic officer and a key member of the president's cabinet. In this position, she advocated for student success and academic excellence, overseeing educational initiatives, scholarly service, research activities, and the university's academic colleges, including undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. Throughout her career, Wells has played pivotal roles in strategic planning, institutional assessment, curriculum and program development, student orientation, general education reform, accreditation—including chairing the Middle States Steering Committee—and faculty professional development. She has contributed extensively to university governance through service on the University Senate, Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, and other bodies. A committed scholar, Wells co-authored the book Service-Learning Code of Ethics and has presented and published on the pedagogy of service-learning, ethical issues in international service-learning, power, trust, strategies of influence, conflict resolution, and leadership in organizations. Her civic engagement includes service on the KU Foundation and Alumni boards, Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity, Berks County Senior Citizens Council Advisory Board, American Association of University Women, and Pennsylvania Institute for Children’s Environmental Health.