Agnes Scott College Welcomes Diane M. Monahan as New Associate Vice President of Graduate Studies
DECATUR, GEORGIA – Agnes Scott College announces the appointment of Diane M. Monahan as the new associate vice president and dean for graduate studies, beginning in January 2026. In this role, Monahan will oversee the development and implementation of the college’s fast-growing health and science graduate programs, including the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program and the new Mary Lou Cornwall Hawkes ’65 and James B. Hawkes Physician Assistant program.
“I am thrilled to announce that Diane Monahan is joining Agnes Scott College,” says Rachel Bowser, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college. “Monahan has the experience, skills and passion that are ideal complements to the growing graduate programs on campus, and we are excited to welcome her to our community.”
A scholar and published author, Monahan brings more than 25 years of experience in higher education to Agnes Scott. Currently the dean of the College of Business, Leadership, and Ethics at Viterbo University in Wisconsin, Monahan has served in faculty and administrative leadership roles throughout the country. She has published extensively on adaptive leadership, business management, intercultural communications, organizational culture and pedagogy. Monahan has a doctorate in communication from Temple University.
“I am honored to join Agnes Scott and to contribute to its strong legacy of innovation and purpose-driven education,” Monahan says. “The college’s commitment to empowering students through rigorous and relevant graduate programs deeply aligns with my belief that higher education should elevate both individual potential and community impact.”
Monahan’s leadership will be instrumental as the college continues to expand its graduate and post-baccalaureate programs. The school’s master’s programs in clinical mental health counseling and medical sciences, physician assistant program, and certificates in pre-medical and pre-allied health studies attract both recent college graduates and seasoned professionals interested in high-demand career paths.
Learn more about Agnes Scott College, its faculty, innovative programs and student-centered initiatives like SUMMIT at agnesscott.edu and across all social media platforms by following @agnesscottcollege.
Accreditation Status
Agnes Scott College has applied for Accreditation – Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Agnes Scott College’s Mary Lou Cornwall Hawkes ’65 and James B. Hawkes Physician Assistant Program anticipates matriculating its first class in October 2026, pending achieving Accreditation – Provisional status at the July 2026 ARC-PA meeting. Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding accreditation-provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.
About Agnes Scott College
Located in Decatur, Georgia, Agnes Scott College was founded in 1889 and is a highly selective women’s liberal arts college with approximately 1,000 students in its undergraduate and coeducational graduate programs. Named “Most Innovative School” eight years in a row by U.S. News & World Report, Agnes Scott is nationally recognized for SUMMIT, its dynamic experiential learning curriculum, and graduate programs that prepare students to lead inclusively in medicine and health sciences. To learn more about Agnes Scott College, please visit agnesscott.edu.
