Jill M. Fort, PhD

Jill Fort, PhD, is the new Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty for Graceland University. Fort has over 15 years of higher education leadership experience and a proven commitment to student success, innovation, and academic excellence.

Fort comes to Graceland from Newman University in Wichita, Kansas, where she most recently served as Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs. Her previous leadership roles also include Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the School of Business. Over the course of her career, she has led key university-wide initiatives in accreditation, academic program development, grant management, student retention, and instructional innovation.

A tenured professor of criminal justice and an MBA graduate, Fort has also played an instrumental role in securing and managing more than $6 million in grants aimed at expanding access to higher education in rural communities and supporting student mental health and success. Her efforts have included campus-wide retention strategies, the development of a new student success center, and partnerships with community colleges to expand outreach in underserved areas.

Outside of the university, Jill enjoys spending time with her husband, Keith, and their dog, Maggie. Jill also continues to give back to the community through her involvement with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office, the United Way, and the Humane Society.