Dr. Tynisha D. Willingham, Provost
Tynisha D. Willingham, Ph.D., serves as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Eastern Mennonite University, a distinguished, faith-infused institution known for its focus on peacebuilding and service. A visionary leader in higher education, Willingham is deeply committed to the value of transformative education and has dedicated her career to helping institutions rediscover their core missions and innovate to meet future needs.
Since July 3, 2023, Willingham has spearheaded a transformative vision of EMU, navigating an evolving landscape with collaborative leadership and entrepreneurial drive. As EMU's first African American Provost, she is committed to advancing academic rigor and institutional diversity, and brings extensive experience in academic administration and educational innovation to her role.
Willingham has executed initiatives critical to EMU, leading through significant institutional change and resetting the academic portfolio. Her vision for academic restructuring emphasized a data-informed approach to create new efficiencies and reduce academic silos, reducing adjunct reliance by 30% across the university. Her leadership has also defined the Reimagining EMU with a focus on the Reimagining the Academic Portfolio, a close collaboration with key stakeholders, including through the creation of project teams to leverage the talents of faculty and staff across the university.
Willingham’s focus on innovation and growth is evident in her commitment to address institutional needs. She has supported the attainment of over $5.7M in federal, foundation, and association grants, and led a significant academic reimagining with a focus on operational prioritization. Her work to secure transfer agreements with BRCC and VCCS institutions, as well as guaranteed admission agreements, has strengthened EMU's future through partnerships. She has also overseen the Bridge to the Future plan, demonstrating her ability to lead in curriculum redesign, retention outcomes, and student success initiatives.
A champion of both institutional mission and curricular excellence, Willingham has reimagined the academic enterprise at EMU. The academic leadership structure streamlined under her direction has propelled curricular integration and interdisciplinary learning across campus, and led to the creation of two new academic disciplines centered on restorative justice. She has consistently worked to strengthen institutional partnerships, and created pathways for student achievement across diverse disciplines and career trajectories. In faculty and staff hiring, professional development, and strategic realignments, Willingham has advanced academic excellence, peace and justice, and active faith on an institutional level, and promoted student-centered pedagogy.
Central to Willingham’s leadership is her deeply-held belief in a holistic education that integrates academic excellence with social responsibility and global awareness. Her academic philosophy champions educational access and centers on inclusive environments that honor diverse perspectives and experiences. These commitments are reflected in the reimagined first-year course curriculum, which extends beyond the transition to college to a personalized four-year pathway to graduation that encourages each student to visualize their program completion and beyond. Her dedication to an inclusive learning environment extends also to a healthy socio-emotional community culture of living and learning together. She has served in her career to further this vision of mission-focused education as a pathway to personal and social transformation.
Willingham holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from The Pennsylvania State University. She earned her M.Ed. in Elementary Education from the University of Texas–Pan American, and her B.S. in Spanish and African American Studies from The Pennsylvania State University, where she distinguished herself as a first-generation college graduate.
The provost gives overall guidance to the undergraduate and graduate academic programs of the university as well as Eastern Mennonite Seminary, EMU Lancaster, and various auxiliary programs.
