New Dean Appointments for Seven Women Scholars

Wanda Pillow has been named dean of both the College of Humanities and the School for Cultural and Social Transformation at the University of Utah. She has led the College of Humanities as acting dean for the past five months. A full professor of gender studies since 2017, she studies feminist theory; colonial history of sex, race, and gender; and educational rights of young mothers.

Dr. Pillow received her Ph.D. in educational policy and gender studies from Ohio State University.

Chawne Kimber has been named vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty at Pitzer College in Claremont, California. She currently serves as dean of the college and professor of mathematics at Washington and Lee University in Virginia. Her scholarship focuses on ordered algebraic structures, commutative algebra, general toplogy, category theory, and textile art.

Dr. Kimber holds a bachelor’s degree and Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Lori Snyder Bennear has been promoted from interim dean to the official Stanback Dean of the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. A Duke faculty member for over two decades, she serves as a professor of energy economics and policy. Prior to her interim appointment, she had stints as executive vice dean and as senior associate dean for academic initiatives. In her work, she uses quantitative methods to evaluate the effectiveness of environmental policies and regulations.

Dr. Bennear is a graduate of Occidental College in Los Angeles, where she double-majored in economics and environmental studies. She holds a master’s degree in economics from Yale University and a Ph.D. in public policy from Harvard University.

Lisa Tannock has been named dean of health sciences and director of the School of Medicine at Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada. She comes to her new role from the University of Kentucky, where she has taught for the past two decades. She currently serves as the university’s associate provost for faculty advancement and a professor in the division of endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism. As a clinician-scientist, Dr. Tannock focuses on cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, cholesterol disorders, and transgender medicine.

Dr. Tannock holds a medical degree from the University of Toronto in Canada.

Sara Fleet Michaliszyn has been appointed dean of the Bitonte College of Health and Human Services at Youngstown State University in Ohio. Over the past 12 years, she has held several leadership roles with the university, including associate dean of the Bitonte College, chair of the department of health professions, and chair of the department of kinesiology and sport science. She is a certified exercise physiologist who focuses on advancing the health and well-being of the local region.

Dr. Michaliszyn is an alumna of Youngstown State University, where she majored in exercise science. She holds a master’s degree and Ph.D. in exercise physiology from the University of Pittsburgh.

Denise Bortree has been selected to serve as interim dean of the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications at Pennsylvania State University. Prior to her new appointment, she served as the college’s associate dean for academic affairs and director of the Arthur W. Page Center for Integrity in Public Communication. Her scholarship centers around corporate social responsibility, nonprofit communication, sustainability, and volunteerism.

Dr. Bortree received her bachelor’s degree in writing and English from Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. She holds two master’s degrees in mass communication and educational psychology, respectively, and a Ph.D. in mass communication from the University of Florida.

Judette Louis has been appointed dean of the Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion University. She comes to her new appointment from the University of South Florida, where she currently serves as the James M. Ingram Professor, chair of the department of obstetrics and gynecology, and director of the USF Health Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Center Obstetrical Satellite Programs. Her academic and clinical career has focused on improving outcomes for mothers and babies.

Dr. Louis earned her master of public health degree from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and her medical degree from what is now the Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia.