John “Jay” Ellison began his career in emergency services, first as an Emergency Medical Technician and then as a Police Officer. After serving in Law Enforcement for 4 years, Ellison entered College and earned his BA, Summa cum laude from Southeastern College (now Southeastern University) in Lakeland, Florida, working as a bodyguard while pursuing his studies. After graduating in 1989, Ellison continued his study of ancient languages at Harvard Divinity School, earning a Master of Theological Studies in 1991. In that same year Ellison entered the PhD program in the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Harvard where he earned both his Master of Arts (2000) and Doctor of Philosophy (2002).
In 2002, Ellison joined the administration and faculty at Harvard as the Allston Burr Resident Dean for Lowell House and a Lecturer in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations. In 2005, Ellison moved into the position of Secretary of the Administrative Board, the committee that oversaw all exceptions to academic requirements, academic review, and discipline, and was promoted to associate dean in 2008. On July 1, 2014, Ellison became the Dean of Students in the College at the University of Chicago. While in that position, Ellison was named one of the top ten influencers in Higher Education for 2016 by the Chronicle of Higher Education.
In October of 2023, Ellison left the University of Chicago and began working as a consultant for The Registry in February of 2024. Ellison remained in the consulting position before joining Roanoke College as Vice President in August of 2024. As the Vice President for Student Success and the Roanoke Experience, Ellison oversees the following areas: Residential Life and Housing, the Dean of Students’ Office, Student Health and Counseling, Campus Safety and Security, the Center for Learning and Teaching, the Writing Center, Subject Tutoring, support of International Students and Veterans, and the Chaplain’s office.