Radford University selects Ashley Wells as assistant vice president for health sciences
Radford, VA (08/18/2026) — Radford University has selected Ashley Wells as assistant vice president for health sciences, following a national search. She will begin her duties on Tuesday, Aug. 25.
Wells will report to Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Bethany Usher. The position has been newly designed to address opportunities and needs in the university's rapidly emerging health and life science curriculum and services.
"Dr. Wells brings the breadth of experience we need to lead our health sciences strategy forward," Usher said. "She uniquely combines a public health focus with her master's in public health, an academic perspective with her Ph.D. in education and years of experience with community-academic health partnerships."
Wells will develop and coordinate the university's health and applied life science programs at both its Roanoke and Radford locations. She also will guide the efforts of the Center for Rural Health, collaborating with regional partners to address the medical, mental and dental healthcare needs of rural communities in Southwest and Southern Virginia.
"I am extremely excited to take on this unique and important role for the university, our students and the community," said Wells. "My goal is to drive strategic initiatives that expand access, empower communities and create collaborative systems of care that are equitable, responsive and resilient."
Wells has more than 20 years of experience in public health and higher education. Most recently, she was associate director for quality assurance at UNC Wilmington's School of Health and Applied Human Sciences. She has been an administrator, investigator and project coordinator for numerous community-based and grant-funded public health initiatives, and she has taught university courses on subjects including public health, social work and workforce development.
Wells earned a Ph.D. in education, a Master of Public Health and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Georgia.
The search committee was led by Kenneth Cox, dean of the Waldron College of Health and Human Services, and Wendy Downey, dean of the College of Nursing. The committee also included representatives from health science units and university administration.
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