The College of Humanities and the School for Cultural and Social Transformation officially have a new dean, Wanda Pillow, who has been serving as acting dean for the College of Humanities since Dr. Hollis Robbins’ resignation last fall.
“CoH and Transform share similar approaches and commitments. Both have outstanding faculty and staff and both have meaningful and direct impact on student success, research and community engagement,” Pillow said in an announcement last week. “I am honored to navigate upcoming challenges and opportunities with CoH and Transform and will represent the interests and needs of each while strengthening existing connections.”
Pillow served as chair of Gender Studies and as associate dean for Academic Affairs before acting as the dean of Humanities. She’s also a tenured gender studies professor and has taught at the University of Utah since 2017.
“This unique combination of experience makes her the ideal choice to lead both Humanities and Transform,” U Provost Mitzi Montoya said.
Pillow said serving as the CoH’s acting dean gave her the experience and drive to lead effectively and strategically.
“I am committed to the success and growth of both the College of Humanities and the School for Cultural & Social Transformation,” she added.
She will begin her role as dean effective immediately.
Before Pillow’s announcement as dean, Elizabeth Kronk Warner, the dean of the S.J. Quinney College of Law, oversaw the School for Cultural and Social Transformation as acting dean. Montoya thanked Warner for her work as acting dean while maintaining her position in the College of Law.
Pillow earned a PhD in Educational Policy and Gender Studies from Ohio State University. Her work focuses on topics like representation, subjectivity and theory across cultures. As a professor, she’s taught courses on advanced feminist theory, Women of Color feminism and colonial history of sex, race and gender.
She’s also a first-generation student and an editor for Frontiers: A Journal of Women’s Studies. Her staff profile emphasizes her commitment to the humanities.
“Despite the emphasis on technical degrees that is currently circulating in popular discourse,” she’s quoted, “the humanities have enduring value — underpinning and intersecting with every academic discipline and industry. The humanities teach us how to see clearly, think creatively, and connect humanely. I can think of nothing more crucial for success in the world we live in today.”
