Winter Break Message from Acting Dean Wanda Pillow - College of Humanities

Wanda Pillow looks at the camera, seated at her desk

Season's greetings!

The fall of 2024 has been a semester of change, innovation, and collective achievement. As we pause to reflect and recharge during the winter break, I am filled with optimism about the extraordinary potential of our college and moving into the new year with an intentional focus on what brings us joy, purpose, and energy. I hope that each of you are able to look proudly on what we have accomplished together and take the time to rest and observe the passing of one year to the next in whatever way feels most meaningful to you.

Fall 2024 has also marked a time of transition and many exciting milestones for the College of Humanities. Keep reading below for some updates of what we have achieved!

Several of our departments and centers have experienced leadership transitions that bring fresh perspectives and renewed energy to our college. I’m delighted to celebrate the conclusion of action-packed, successful first semesters in these new leadership roles: Jenny Andrus, Chair of the Department of Writing and Rhetoric Studies; Scott Black, Director of the Tanner Humanities Center; Devin Jenkins, Director of L2TReC; David Roh, Chair of the Department of English; Cynthia Stark, Chair of the Department of Philosophy; and Cindi Textor, Interim Director of the Asia Center. Each of these exceptional scholars and leaders brings unique vision and expertise that will propel our college forward.

We also expanded our academic pathways for students, offering several new undergraduate degrees and certificates including our first-ever bachelor’s degree through the Utah Prison Education Program (UPEP), a new undergraduate Conflict Resolution certificate, Bachelor of Science degrees in both History and Linguistics, and an innovative Environmental Humanities and Transformative Justice Certificate in conjunction with the School for Cultural and Social Transformation.

The Department of Communication has been ranked in the top 30 internationally, a credit to the vision, dedication, and exceptional research and teaching of the faculty and leadership happening within the college.

In keeping with the University of Utah’s goal of becoming a top 10 university with unsurpassed societal impact, our college’s commitment to community engagement remains robust and vibrant. Our work made a difference to so many people both in our local community and beyond, as evidenced by this brief selection of our public-facing work over the course of Fall 2024:

The Tanner Humanities Center has once again hosted an outstanding slate of speakers for Fall, including Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Alice Dailey, Peggy Battin, and 2024 National Book Award winner Percival Everett. We look forward to an excellent Spring lineup carefully curated by the thoughtful team at THC!
The American West Center hosted a compelling public lecture series on campus interrogating unique aspects of life in the Western U.S.
Faculty members in several departments published thought-provoking op-eds to local newspapers, contributing to the broader community’s intellectual life.
The John R. Park Debate Society hosted the Beehive Bonanza for high school students, bringing together 600+ students from multiple states to hone their skills.
L2TReC hosted a successful conference, the 9th International Conference on Immersion and Dual Language Education gathering over 600 scholars and practitioners in Salt Lake City to share expertise and learn from our best-in-the-nation dual immersion and Bridge programs.
The College of Humanities and Tanner Humanities Center co-hosted the first-ever Humanities Games Symposium at Snowbird.

On campus, the College of Humanities participates in a robust intellectual community of scholars and students at all levels. The ongoing Lightning Talks series provided a community platform in September and October for emerging scholars to share their work, and will continue on through Spring semester. The Middle East Center, Asia Center, and Center for Latin American Studies faculty presented a series of Faculty Friday lectures on works in progress.

The Humanities Ambassador program continues to thrive, giving undergraduate students transformative opportunities to engage deeply with the humanities and their fellow students across campus. Humanities celebrated 10 years with the Utah Asia Campus, offering world-class education and opportunities to U of U students in Incheon, South Korea.

As we prepare for the winter break and reflect on the semester, I feel great pride and gratitude for all we have accomplished together. I hope you all continue to take good care of yourselves and one another. Happy holidays!

Wanda Pillow
Acting Dean, College of Humanities
University of Utah

Correction: A previous version of this article mistakenly listed Cynthia Stark as the Chair of the Department of Psychology. She is Chair of the Department of Philosophy.