Ashley C. Wells

Dr. Ashley Wells serves as the Associate School Director for Quality Assurance in the School of Health and Applied Human Sciences. Dr. Wells oversees data collection, reporting, and coaching in service of improving teaching outcomes, programmatic outcomes, and community engagement initiatives in the school. She assists programs with accreditation and program development, chairs several committees including faculty development, healthy workplace, youth engagement and community service, and teaches in the Public Health program. Dr. Wells is an experienced administrator with over 20 years of experience in higher education, having joined UNCW from the University of Georgia (2005-2017). Dr. Wells is active in the community and previously served as the College of Health and Human Services' inaugural Assistant Dean for Community Engagement from 2018-2022. Dr. Wells has a master's degree in Public Health and a doctorate degree in adult learning, leadership and organization development from the University of Georgia.

Education

B.A., Political Science, University of Georgia; MPH, Public Health, University of Georgia; Ph.D., Education, University of Georgia.

Specialization in Teaching

Public Health, Adult Education/Development, Leadership Development, Generalist Practice in Communities and Organizations

Research Interests

Workplace culture and well-being, leadership development, mental health in youth sports, public health program evaluation, interprofessional education, social determinants of health

Professional Service

2019-2020, UNC Wilmington Representative, North Carolina Internship Council (Governor Appointed)

Community Engagement

2023-present, Board of Directors, Novant New Hanover Regional Medical Center Foundation
2021- present, Board of Directors, Child Development Center
2019-2025, Board of Directors, Leading Into New Communities, Inc. (LINC)
2020-2023, Board of Directors, Cape Fear HealthNet
2020-2021, Executive Committee Member, New Hanover County Master Aging Plan Committee
2020, Volunteer, StepUp Wilmington
2019, Community Advisory Committee Member, NC Long-term Care Ombudsman Program, NC Department of Health and Human Services
2018-2021, Executive Committee Member, American Heart Association Cape Fear Heart Walk

Honors & Awards

2024, WILMA Woman to Watch Finalist, Education Category, WILMA Magazine, Greater Wilmington Business Journal
2022, James Merritt Million Dollar Club, University of North Carolina Wilmington Office of Research and Innovation
2019, Most Grant Submissions in Year, University of North Carolina Wilmington Office of Research and Innovation