Dr. Jewerl Maxwell, an educator and administrator with a record of identification and nurture of faculty, institution of new programs, and scholarly contributions has been named Provost at Taylor University. Maxwell is currently the Vice President for Academic Initiatives at Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts. During his career at Gordon, Maxwell’s oversight included recruitment, retention, reviewing, and developing faculty; leading strategic planning within the Academic Division; and the establishment of marketing plans for numerous academic programs. His achievements included raising $4.3 million to launch several graduate-level programs at Gordon as well as the initiation of other academic programs.
Prior to his service at Gordon, Maxwell was a member of the political science faculties at Cedarville University, Thiel College, and Emory & Henry College. He is also a published author, having written two books that included, Tough Times for the President: Political Adversity and the Sources of Presidential Power Rendering to God and Caesar. Maxwell holds doctorate and master’s degrees from Miami University (Oxford, Ohio), and a bachelor’s degree from Muskingum University in New Concord, Ohio.
“Jewerl Maxwell has been uniquely prepared for the challenge of our Provost’s role at Taylor University,” said Taylor’s President, D. Michael Lindsay. “In addition to his academic achievements, he has a great track record of working with, and caring for faculty in a Christian-liberal arts setting, as well as a vibrant faith. Having known and appreciated his work at Gordon, it was an added blessing when JobfitMatters identified him as the best candidate for this job.
“What drew me and my wife Ashley to Taylor is the community; even though many Christian colleges talk about community, Ashley and I both experienced something truly unique the first time we visited campus,” Maxwell said. “My long-term desire has been administrative service in a Christian liberal arts setting where the mission was a Christ-centered community that is globally engaged with a distinct focus on academic excellence.”
President Michael Lindsay commented,
“Working with JobfitMatters was an absolute delight. Laura Coverstone, Ed Poff, and Tommy Thomas did an outstanding job of listening well to our campus community to identify what we needed in the roles. They also helped us recruit dozens of qualified and interested candidates, and then led us effectively through a process of discerning the right people for the role. The SIMA process was incredibly helpful to me and my team as we considered possibilities, and I feel that we have found not only the right people but also the right process for executive searches going forward. They receive my highest recommendation!”
Holly Whitby, a marketing and enrollment management professional with a lengthy resume encompassing the business and education sectors, has been named Taylor University’s Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing.
Whitby has worked for the past nine years in a similar role at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee. At Trevecca, which is also Whitby’s alma mater, she served in several key roles that included Vice President of Enrollment, Marketing, and Athletics; and previously as Dean of Enrollment. During her time of service, Trevecca’s undergraduate enrollment grew by 50%, while increasing each incoming class’s average ACT score.
Whitby holds an MBA from Belmont University and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Trevecca; she also completed her Master’s in Instructional Design and Technology in 2017. Before she joined Trevecca, Whitby served as a regional sales manager for a national Microsoft Business Solutions Partner where she won multiple awards including Microsoft Heartland Sales Rep of the Year.
“Having worked in the CCCU world since 2011, I always had heard about Taylor, and was impressed with Taylor’s reputation, both academically, and in the ways they really mentor and develop students holistically,” she said. “When I was approached by Taylor about this opportunity it was intriguing to me. Now, as the parent of a Taylor freshman (her son Parker began at Taylor in August), I am excited to join the community and work to support Taylor’s mission.”
Whitby and her husband James have been married for 23 years. They are the parents of two sons, Parker and A.J.
“Prior to her excellent work in the field of higher education, Holly Whitby was an accomplished professional in the business sector,” said Dr. D. Michael Lindsay, Taylor’s President. “Her achievements in both enrollment and marketing at our sister university, Trevecca University, are innovative and represent a fresh approach to the needs of today’s Christian-liberal arts institutions. Additionally, Holly’s pastoral care for her staff and colleagues will inspire buy-in and enthusiasm as Taylor University moves forward. And as a Taylor parent, we know she will be able to connect with a broad range of our constituencies. We are genuinely thrilled to welcome Holly to the Taylor community.”