Provost & Executive VP Jonathan Sands Wise

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Provost & Executive Vice President

Dr. Jonathan Sands Wise is a familiar face—and figure—on Georgetown’s campus. A man of tall stature, he is easily spotted as he strolls across campus, and is particularly identifiable with his signature hat.

Associated with Georgetown College since 2008, Sands Wise has filled many roles before being named Provost and Executive Vice President in January. As Provost, he serves as the College’s chief academic officer.

His career at Georgetown began as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Philosophy before being promoted to Assistant Professor. Then, after serving as the Associate Dean of Academic Success for a little over one year, he was asked to become the Vice President of Enrollment Management in 2015. For the past six years, Sands Wise has overseen admissions, financial planning, academic success, and (from 2018-2020) the College’s marketing and communications operations. One year ago, he was appointed as Associate Provost and Dean of Graduate and New Programs, while still serving as Interim Vice President of Enrollment Management.

As Associate Provost, he was the point person for a multiinstitutional Financial Sustainability Collaborative and also provided leadership to the College’s COVID response efforts.

“The most challenging time [of the pandemic] was that first summer and fall of 2020 when we had to make very large decisions based on constantly changing information,” he said. “By looking at all of the possible scenarios we might face and determining changes we could make on campus to operate as safely as possible in any of those scenarios, we were able to make broadbased plans that were reactive to the reality. We were forced to make plans and adjust on the fly. In general, that was the most important lesson we learned: that we had to constantly adapt, and that has remained true for the past two years. The adaptability that is possible at a small campus with the wonderful faculty and staff that we have has been our greatest strength as we have faced the ever-changing reality of the COVID pandemic.”

When President Rosemary Allen announced his appointment as Provost, she noted that he “kept unwavering focus on providing supportive leadership that helped keep this College stable in a time of uncertainty. As Provost, he will bring his extraordinary creative capacity and gift for solving problems to the task of leading the academic program.”

Those skills will be useful in his new role. “Dr. Allen has asked me to focus on finding potential new programs and partnerships that are good fits for our mission and institution while also providing attractive new opportunities for potential students at the undergraduate and potentially the graduate level,’ he said. “I am excited to help find some opportunities that can expand on whom we serve and continue to make a difference in this world for God through our amazing students.”

Noting that this is now the third position in which he reports to Dr. Allen, Jonathan said that he has had the chance to share her vision for the future of the College and to understand how she works.

Reflecting on his previous positions at Georgetown, he said, “Every role has given me an opportunity to understand the strengths and struggles of our institution, and to have a different perspective on how we serve our students. I have had the unique chance to understand why students and parents choose GC, and to see the difference that this college makes in students’ lives. Seeing the academic area from outside, as it were, has allowed me to appreciate what a wonderful faculty we have and what a great educational experience we offer our students.”

Sands Wise’s appointment as Provost comes after years of success as VP of Enrollment. During his tenure, Georgetown College saw an upward enrollment trend, achieving recordbreaking enrollments. This past fall, 1,224 students enrolled full-time, marking the single highest enrollment in a decade.

As a faculty member, Sands Wise co-directed the Christian Scholars Program for several years, and as VP of Enrollment he worked with Dr. Allen and the faculty to develop several new Programs of Distinction. Over the past six years, with the support of Dr. Allen and Sands Wise, faculty have started Science Honors and Independent Honors, Health Scholars, Allied Health Scholars, the Pre-Law Program, the Maskrafters Academy for Theatre and Film, and the Prototype Program for the Arts. These programs provide students with exceptional experiences that prepare them for graduate work and for success in their future careers.

A native of Harmony, Pa., Jonathan lives in Georgetown with Elizabeth, his wife, and two school-aged daughters. He is active in local organizations and has been a member and officer of the board for Quest Farm, a local nonprofit serving adults with developmental disabilities. He also served as both vice president and president of the board for Elizabeth’s Village, an organization in Georgetown that helps women and children in need. He attends Faith Baptist Church, where he has served as deacon, taught the college Sunday School class, and regularly sings in the choir.

With an undergraduate degree in philosophy from Houghton College, and a Master’s and Ph.D. in philosophy from Baylor University, Jonathan recognizes the importance and value of a Christian education.

“Georgetown College is renowned for the exceptional educationalexperience that our faculty provide,” he said. “Fewschools so ably combine a challenging academic program with personal and supportive teaching, and the result is a Christian liberal arts program that prepares our students to succeed. I am excited to work with our faculty tocontinue this legacy of excellence in new andinnovative ways.”