Brief Biography

Dr. Peter Ellard has been teaching and writing for thirty three years. He was an academic administrator for twenty of these. 

Dr. Ellard  believes that colleges and universities can do more to help students succeed.  As someone who has managed as many as 70 professional staff and a budget of over $7 million, he knows that change can come by inspiring both students and staff while seeking the  transformation and well being of all.  Dr. Ellard leads by stressing compassion, understanding, positivity, openness, and support. He knows that it takes a village.  He believes that  leadership in service to others should lead to fulfillment, gratitude and a sense of deep community. 

His interests are wide -  ranging  from the medieval world to environmental ethics, climate change and the works of Thomas Berry.  His scholarship spans a wide breadth of topics. His first book was The Sacred Cosmos: Theological, Philosophical, and Scientific Conversations in the Twelfth Century School of Chartres (2007). He has published articles, book chapters and book reviews, and he  has lectured widely on many topics.

Dr. Ellard is a teacher, writer, administrator, father and husband. He currently teaches in the Honor's Program at Merrimack College where he is an Associate Professor of Practice in Religious & Theological Studies and the Director of the Graduate Program in Spirituality & Spiritual Direction.   He teaches courses in Religious Studies, Philosophy, Environmental Studies and Freshmen Seminar.   He previously served as Dean and Vice President at Merrimack where  he created many student success programs including:  The Promise Program, The Drive Program, The Dean's Forum, Pioneer Scholars Program, The Activate Program and the Study Partners Program. 

He was named Lecturer of the Year  twice at Siena College (2011 and 2013) and Administrator of the Year twice at Siena College (2004 and 2012). 

He has twice been invited by the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I to take part in Symposia - in Greece and Turkey - and, while at Siena College, led the Advisory Board, made of local community leaders, of the prestigious Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King Lecture Series on Race and Nonviolent Social Change.  

Fun Notes: 

He bleeds maroon as all three  of his degrees are from Fordham University - where he also was on the NCAA Div I Swimming Team and Water Polo Team. 

During and after College he was a practicing musician, singer songwriter - before You-Tube  : ) - and, in the late 1980s and early 90s,  played in famed venues in NYC such as Folk City, The Speak Easy, The Sun Mountain Cafe  and OMFUG at CBGBs.

He was a Lifeguard for 19 years - including five years on the beaches of Coney Island, NY. 

He hosts a radio show on Merrimack College Radio Station WMCK. 

He resides in New Hampshire with his wife Amy. They have two children Olivia and Holden - a dog and three cats.