ASHLAND, Ohio – Shawn Orr, Ph.D., has been named Chief of Staff to the President at Ashland University, effective Sept. 15, as announced by AU President Jon Parrish Peede. She will manage strategic initiatives and special projects that advance the university’s mission, serve as a key liaison between the president’s office and various stakeholders and act as a trusted advisor for the university president.

Orr recently was promoted to be a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the university’s highest leadership group, and will retain that spot as well her other roles as dean of eAshland and assistant professor. She will also continue leading the Correctional Education program into 2026.

“Shawn is wise, insightful and full of energy. She has been a remarkable leader on our campus for many years, and she has proven invaluable in implementing the shared vision of the AU Board of Trustees and president,” stated Peede.

Orr has more than 30 years of higher education experience as both a faculty member and administrator, including the last nine at AU where she has made significant contributions to online learning, faculty development programming and the communication studies department. An active scholar and practitioner in the field of communication, Orr has delivered more than 250 academic presentations and has been published in several academic journals.

As the dean of eAshland, Orr leads the university’s educational offerings for learners from high school through retirement. This includes certificate and licensure programs through its Professional Learning Services, the College Credit Plus dual enrollment program to help ready high school students for postsecondary success, online programs for both undergraduate and graduate students, Workforce Development opportunities and more.