Elizabeth MacLeod Walls

MacLeod Walls was raised in Lincoln, Nebraska.^[1]

She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and history from Hiram College, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. She then received a Doctor of Philosophy in English literature and rhetoric from Texas Christian University, graduating with highest distinction. She also attended Harvard University, where she completed their Management and Leadership in Education Program.^[1] She also is an alumna of the ACE Women’s Leadership Program and the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Programs.^[2]

MacLeod Walls served as an administrator at Bryan College of Health Sciences in Lincoln Nebraska.^[1] She also taught at Nebraska Wesleyan University's English Department and served as executive director for a Lilly Endowment grant.^[3] In 2012, MacLeod Walls became the university's dean of University College.^[1]

MacLeod Walls became the 15th president of William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri in 2016, succeeding David Sallee, who had retired.^[1] During her tenure, she aimed to rebrand William Jewell College as "The Critical Thinking College".^[4] Most notably, William Jewell College face unprecedented layoffs and financial crisis at the end of her tenure.^[5]

In 2024, MacLeod was named the 14th president of Washington & Jefferson College, taking the place of John C. Knapp, who had announced retirement. She assumed her presidency on June 30, 2024.^[6][7]

In 2016, MacLeod Walls's co-edited text From Curlers to Chainsaws received the gold medal for the Independent Publisher Book Award for Anthology.^[8]