Marietta College has appointed Amy Elliott, Ph.D., as dean of the McDonough Center for Leadership and Business, removing the interim designation and formalizing her leadership of one of the College’s signature academic centers.
Elliott, who has served as interim dean since August 2025, brings experience in organizational and personal development, along with a focus on community engagement and leadership education to the role. Her appointment comes as the McDonough Center approaches its 40th anniversary, marking nearly four decades of preparing students to lead and serve with purpose.
“In her decade of service, Dean Elliott has proven herself to be a dedicated and principled leader,” said Marietta College President Kathleen Poorman Dougherty. “Under her leadership, I am confident that the McDonough Center will continue to provide our students with powerful opportunities for growth and learning consistent with our strategic vision. Her deep ties to our region will help assure that Marietta College continues to strengthen its partnership with our local and regional communities.”
A native of Williamstown, West Virginia, Elliott earned her master’s degree in communication from Ohio University in 1998 and her Ph.D. in clinical hypnotherapy from American Pacific University in 2008. Elliott joined Marietta College in 2016 to direct the Nonprofits LEAD Program, building meaningful connections between campus and the community. She was named Director of the Office of Community Engagement in 2021 and moved into a faculty role in 2023.
Elliott has worked professionally in both nonprofit and for-profit sectors, where she has focused on organizational development and sustainability, as well as founded and led organizations. Much of her work has centered on building strong partnerships, helping individuals and organizations stabilize or grow. At Marietta, Elliott teaches courses in the foundations of leadership, organizational leadership, and nonprofit governance, guiding students as they develop the necessary skills to lead in their communities and careers.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with the great team at the McDonough Center. I’m looking forward to connecting more with our alumni and helping build a strategic plan that supports the College and truly meets the needs of today’s students as we prepare tomorrow’s leaders,” said Elliott.
Established in 1986 through a gift honoring Bernard P. McDonough, the McDonough Center for Leadership and Business is one of the most comprehensive leadership development programs in liberal arts education. Through coursework, hands-on learning, and community engagement, the Center serves students across all majors and helps them grow as engaged leaders on campus, in their communities, and in their chosen fields.
Today, the Center continues to expand its impact through programs in community engagement, business and nonprofit leadership, global learning, and research, equipping students to transform knowledge into action and lead effectively. With Elliott’s appointment, the McDonough Center moves into its next chapter, building on its strong foundation of leadership education.