As Dean of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences (CEBS), Dr. Nick Abel has the honor of overseeing a vibrant and growing portfolio of undergraduate and graduate programs. In partnership with faculty, staff, students, and community groups, he works to make CEBS the premier institution in the region for training teachers, school leaders, counselors, psychologists, and other professionals to serve a diverse and changing world with wisdom, courage, empathy, and hope.

Prior to joining Eastern, Dr. Abel worked for 13 years at Butler University as Professor of Counselor Education, Associate Dean of Graduate and Adult Learning Programs in the College of Education, and a variety of other leadership roles. His teaching, leadership, and contributions to the development and expansion of multiple graduate and online programs, accreditation efforts, and student-centered support services led to Dr. Abel being named Butler’s “Outstanding Professor of the Year” for 2023 - 2024.

Before transitioning into higher education, Dr. Abel worked for nearly a decade as a professional school counselor and high school football coach. He holds degrees from the University of Northern Iowa (B.A.), University of Hawaii-Manoa (M.Ed.), and Minnesota State University, Mankato (Ed.D., Counselor Education and Supervision) and has long been committed to educational equity, student flourishing, and the success of historically marginalized populations.

Like his colleagues at Eastern, Dr. Abel is also deeply shaped by his Christian faith and passionate about the integration of faith, reason, and justice in higher education. While he appreciates all expressions of faith, he is personally most drawn to contemplative Christian practices and the writings of authors who espouse them such as Dallas Willard, Pete Scazzero, John Mark Comer, Thomas Merton, Richard Rohr, and many monastic fathers and mothers.