The College of Idaho Welcomes Dr. Jillian Campana as Academic Vice President and Dean of Undergraduate Studies

The College of Idaho is pleased to welcome Dr. Jillian Campana as its new Academic Vice President and Dean of Undergraduate Studies, bringing to campus an accomplished record of academic leadership, global scholarship, and a deep commitment to student success.

Dr. Campana joins The College of Idaho after serving in faculty and leadership roles at both The American University in Cairo and the University of Montana. Throughout her career, she has lived and worked in the United States, Brazil, India, and Egypt, building an international perspective that has shaped her approach to higher education, interdisciplinary scholarship, and community engagement.

Holding an interdisciplinary Ph.D. that bridges multiple academic fields, Dr. Campana has dedicated her career to creating innovative learning opportunities and strengthening the connection between higher education and the communities it serves. As an administrator, she has developed accelerated 4+1 degree pathways, designed interactive university-wide anti-sexual harassment training programs, expanded educational outreach connecting colleges with K-12 schools, and created community service-learning and internship initiatives that provide students with meaningful real-world experiences.

Her leadership extends well beyond the classroom. Dr. Campana has served on the board of the UK-based charity ISTA, which produces more than 60 educational events annually across over 50 countries, and she is a trained mediator through the International Mediation Institute in The Hague.

An internationally recognized scholar, Dr. Campana’s research centers on participatory action methodologies, using the arts and literature to explore themes of community, identity, equality, and social justice. Her applied research has supported diverse communities around the world, including individuals living with brain injuries in Sweden, survivors of human trafficking in the Philippines and India, and climate change initiatives presented during the United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP27) in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Her creative and scholarly work has been exhibited throughout Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Dr. Campana is the author of four books and numerous scholarly articles and book chapters. Her work has earned recognition from organizations including the PBS Independent Lens Awards, the American College Theatre Festival at the John F. Kennedy Center, and the European Social Fund. In 2023, her research project, Msh Zanbik (It’s Not Your Fault), received the Research Project of the Year in Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences for the Middle East and North Africa from Times Higher Education. Her fifth book, scheduled for publication in early 2027, explores climate change in Egypt by connecting literature, science, and public policy to encourage meaningful environmental action.

Although Dr. Campana is new to living in Idaho, the state has long been part of her family’s story. Her roots trace back several generations, and she has visited Idaho annually since early childhood. She and her husband, Jonathan, an English educator and amateur musician, are excited to call Idaho home. Their daughter, Stella, currently works as a whitewater guide in Banks, Idaho, reflecting the family’s shared appreciation for the state’s natural beauty and outdoor lifestyle.

As Academic Vice President and Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Campana will provide leadership for the College’s undergraduate academic programs, faculty, and strategic academic initiatives while advancing The College of Idaho’s mission of delivering an exceptional liberal arts education that prepares students to lead purposeful lives.

The College of Idaho is excited to welcome Dr. Campana to the Yote community and looks forward to the leadership, collaboration, and global perspective she will bring as the institution continues to build on its tradition of academic excellence.