Wanda Pillow Named Dean of College of Humanities and School for Cultural and Social Transformation

Wanda S. Pillow has been named as the dean of both the College of Humanities and the School for Cultural & Social Transformation. Pillow, a professor of gender studies, has been serving as acting dean of Humanities since October 21, 2024 and will begin working in this new capacity effective immediately.

"Over the last few years, the College of Humanities has experienced remarkable growth in terms of student majors, cutting-edge research by its faculty, and impactful community engagement,” says Michael Middleton, associate dean of academic affairs. “Dean Pillow’s experience and energy already has and will continue to play a key role in building on these successes while demonstrating the critical role played by the Humanities in students’ academic and professional futures."

Pillow is a first-generation student and an award-winning teacher, mentor, and scholar. She earned her doctorate in Educational Policy and Gender Studies from Ohio State University and has been faculty at the University of Utah since 2017. She has a range of leadership experience, having served as Chair of the Gender Studies Division and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in Transform and is committed to mentoring students and emerging scholars. This commitment was recognized in Spring 2021 when Pillow received a Distinguished Mentor Award from the U. Her research has been recognized with fellowships at the Huntington Library, the National Humanities Center and the Newberry Library. She has received grants from the Mellon Foundation focused on intersectionality and multivocal humanities, most recently on “Formations and Futures: Gender Studies at the University of Utah.”

 Visions for Two Colleges

Leading two colleges is no small feat, but Pillow is confident that she is up to the challenge. “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. CoH and Transform students are amazing and together share some of the highest rates of campus involvement and positive durable degree outcomes and career success,” says Pillow. “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.”

Andrea N. Baldwin, Transform’s Associate Dean for Research, speaks to Dean Pillow’s collegial ethos and communication style. “Wanda is highly attentive to the needs of faculty, staff, and students. She is approachable and gives her full focus to every interaction, making everyone's needs or concerns a priority,” says Baldwin. “She inspires confidence and respect from those she leads and also brings warmth and energy to her work. As Dean, this ability will help her build strong relationships and foster a sense of community - which we desperately need in this time.”

College of Humanities

Pillow’s vision for the College of Humanities includes supporting innovation across student success, faculty research, and societal impact. During her time as acting dean, Pillow has emphasized shared governance, research collaborations, and strategic planning. “Previous dean Hollis Robbins cultivated strong commitments to research and teaching excellence, and I look forward to carrying those commitments forward to further grow the College of Humanities in the face of new challenges,” says Pillow. “Humanities leads on providing durable knowledge and transferable skills to all students. Its departments and centers are poised to address present day issues and questions while informing decision-making that impacts the future.” Pillow, who often refers to the humanities as a “driving force,” is confident that the college will continue to grow and thrive in today’s complex world.

School for Cultural & Social Transformation

Pillow has a long history with Transform, her academic home for much of her tenure at the University of Utah. Having implemented successful initiatives in student success and faculty mentoring as the Chair of Gender Studies and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, she envisions strengthening the unique one-of-a kind degree pathways and highlighting the strengths and contributions of Transform coursework and research as key to the success of the School moving forward. “Ethnic and Gender Studies have had a presence at the U for over 50 years. Transform—home  to Disability, Ethnic, Gender, and Pacific Island Studies—serves a vital role on campus and its faculty provide guiding knowledge and practice positively impacting campus culture, student success, and intersectional research.” Pillow’s commitment to interdisciplinary scholarship aligns with the unique mission of Transform, and she is excited to help shape the ways that Transform continues to create positive impact moving forward.

That excitement is shared by Transform and CoH leadership as well. “Having worked with Dr. Pillow in various capacities, I have always appreciated her generosity in sharing ideas, resources, and encouragement,” says Baldwin. “I look forward to supporting her in any way I can to ensure her success as Dean—because when she succeeds, we all succeed.”

Isabel Moreira, associate dean of research in the College of Humanities, concurs: "Dean Pillow has already brought great energy, enthusiasm, and knowledge to the research mission of the College of Humanities. The future looks bright for college research under her leadership, with initiatives underway that align our research strengths with university research priorities."

Transform and the College of Humanities welcome Dean Pillow to her new role in our respective institutions and look forward to working alongside her to accomplish the education, research, and social impact missions of both the CoH and Transform.