- Title
- Dean & VP - Undergraduate Studies
- Department
- Academic Affairs
- jcampana@collegeofidaho.edu
- (208) 459-5172
Jillian Campana
Jillian Campana is the Academic Vice President and Dean of Undergraduate Studies at The College of Idaho, having previously taught, earned tenure, and served in leadership positions at The American University in Cairo and the University of Montana. She has lived and worked extensively in education in the US, Brazil, India, and Egypt.
Dr. Campana’s scholarship draws upon participatory action research methodologies and uses the arts and literature as tools to build community, equality, identity, and social justice. She has developed multiple applied projects across the world, including programs for persons living with brain injuries (Framnäs Folkhögskola, Sweden), victims of sexual trafficking (Stairway, Philippines and International Justice Project, India) and Climate Change (United Nations Conference of the Parties, Sharm El Sheikh) and her work has been shown throughout Asia, Europe, Latin American and the Middle East. She has written four books and published numerous articles and book chapters in, among other publications, Critical Stages, Arab Stages, The Handbook for Social Work with Groups, Scene and Triquarterly, and she has won awards from the PBS Independent Lens Awards, the American College Theatre Festival at the John F. Kennedy Center, and the European Social Fund. Her research project, Msh Zanbik (It’s Not Your Fault), was awarded the 2023 Research Project of the Year in Arts Humanities and Social Sciences for the Middle East-North Africa region by the Times Higher Education. Her forthcoming book out in early 2027, focuses on climate change in Egypt and pairs literature with science and policy to advocate for changes in behavior and practice.
As a higher education administrator, Dr. Campana has created 4+1 programs, designed an interactive university anti-sexual harassment training program, led educational outreach initiatives to connect higher education to K-12 schools, and developed community service learning and internship programs. She has served on the board and worked extensively with the UK charity ISTA, which produces over 60 events each year in over 50 countries, and she is a trained mediator with International Mediation Institute based in The Hague.
EDUCATION
Ph.D., Interdisciplinary: Psychology, Sociology, Education, Theatre, The University of Montana, 2005.
M.A., Performance Studies, New York University, 1999.
Teaching licensure, Chapman University, 1995.
TOEFL credential, Cambridge University at The American University in Cairo, 1994.
B.F.A., Theatre, California Institute of the Arts, 1992.
International Mediation Institute, internationally certified mediator, The Hague, current.
American Conference of Academic Dean, Fellow, 2025-2026.
Association for Theatre in Higher Education.
International Schools Theatre Association (global UK based charity), member and former board trustee.
American Alliance for Theatre and Education, former state representative.
Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed Association.
Middle East Studies Association, member.
Very Special Arts, Jean Kennedy Smith All Abilities Arts program, former board member.
Studio Three Theatre, Founding Artistic Director.
Cairo Writers Lab, Founding Artistic Director.
Campana, J. Literary Dramas and Critical Essays on the Climate Crisis in Egypt. Kotob Khan Publishing. Forthcoming, September 2026.
Campana, J. “Theatre on the Climate Catastrophe in Egypt” In Critical Stages. June, 2025.
Campana, J. and Amin, D. It’s Not Your Fault: five new plays on sexual harassment in Egypt. American University in Cairo Press, 2023.
Campana, J. and Jahanmir, Y. Western Theatre in Global Contexts: directing and teaching culturally inclusive drama around the world. London: Routledge, 2020.
Campana, J. and Seif, S. “Documentary Theatre in Egypt: devising a new play in Cairo” In Arab Stages. New York: Martin E Segal Theatre Center Press at City University New York. 9(1), 2018.
Campana, J. “Playwriting as Participatory Action Research” In Elixir International Journal. 116, 2018.
Finn, J., Campana J. and Jacobsen, M. “Participatory Research, Popular Education and Popular Theatre” In The Handbook of Social Work with Groups, second ed. New York: Guilford Publications, Inc. 2017.
Campana, J. “Applied Theatre as a way to Provoke Connection” In Scene, UK: ISTA Press. 20(2), 2016.
Campana, J. Acting Successful: using performance skills in everyday life. San Diego: Cognella Press, 2015.
Campana, J. “Laban Movement Analysis: a tool for the actor” In Scene, UK: ISTA Press. 16(2), 2012.
Campana, J. “Reincarnations of Flash Theatre” In Scene, UK: ISTA Press. (14(2), 2010.
Campana, J. “Contemporary Acting in India: Authentic Exaggeration and Realism Unite.” In Triquarterly. Chicago: Northwestern University Press. 134, 2009.
Campana, J. and Gardelli, A. “Collaborating Across Disciplines and Countries.” In Academic Exchange Quarterly. 12(1), 2008.
Campana, J. “Lessons from the Stage – Theatre for Social Justice.” In Northwest Theatre Review. University of Oregon. 13(1), 2007.
Campana, J. “A Participatory Methodology for Ethnographic Arts-based Research.” In UMI ProQuest. 2005.
Campana, J. “Theatrical Pedagogy, Interactive Service.” In Academic Exchange Quarterly. 9(4), 2005.
Faculty Resilience, Reciprocity, and Revitalization through Mentoring, American Conference of Academic Deans, Phoenix, Arizona, 2026.
Arts and Ecology, Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre, Cairo, Egypt, 2025.
Video to Transform: social justice and harassment on the screen, Center for American Studies and Research, Cairo, Egypt, 2024.
Anti-sexual harassment education in the Middle East, Middle East Studies Association (MESA), Montreal, Canada, 2024.
Playwriting, Performance and Spectatorship, New Directions in the Humanities, Sorbonne, Paris, France, 2023.
Creative Writing and Mental Heath, The Arts in Society, University of Krakow, Poland, 2022.
Dramatic Change: transformation through performance, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, 2022.
Owning The Past Through Collaborative Work: Developing the Osiris Myth for the Stage, The Arts in Society, Zaragoza, Spain, 2022.
Community Development: arts to unify, US Embassy/USAID, Cairo, Egypt, 2022.
Applying Arts and Drama to Group Work with Youth, Middle East/North Africa Regional Conference on Community Psychology, Cairo, Egypt, 2020.
Western Theatre in Global Contexts, Association for Theatre in Higher Education, Orlando, Florida, 2019.
Lysistrata in Cairo: maintaining boundaries while pushing the limit, The Arts in Society, Lisbon, Portugal, 2019.
Collaborative Documentary Theatre Making in Egypt as a Response to Social Issues, The Arts in Society, Vancouver, Canada, 2019.
Devising and World Theatre Traditions, Beijing Student Theatre Festival, Beijing, China, 2017.
Performance Concepts for Business Leaders, American University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt, 2017.
Drama and Social Connections, Conway Hall, London, United Kingdom, 2016.
Empathy in the Classroom, Near East Schools Association, Cairo, Egypt, 2016.
How Teachers and Professionals Benefit from Theatrical Pedagogy, The American University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt, 2016.
IB Theatre Arts Symposium, Ripley Grier Studios, New York City, 2015.
Tech Industry: building connections in the workplace, Montana Code School, Missoula, Montana, 2015.
International Baccalaureate workshops, Dominion Theatre, London, United Kingdom, 2014.
Improvisation in the Workplace: improving systems, Griffin-Hammis Associates, Atlanta, Georgia, 2014.
Applied Theatre, Rotary Montana, Missoula, Montana, 2013.
Multi-modalities in Doctoral Research, Universitet Tekniska, Lulea, Sweden, 2013.
Acting Approaches, Ripley Grier Studios, New York City, 2012.
Physical Theatre in the East and West, The International School Bangalore, India, 2012.
East Meets West: Merging Physical Theatre Techniques for Actor Training, Association of Theatre in Higher Education, Washington, D.C., 2012.
Devising a Text Using Physical Theatre Techniques, Dulwich College, Beijing, China, 2012.
Kathakali and Realism, United World College, Hong Kong, 2011.
World Theatre Practices, Munich International School, Munich, Germany, 2011.
Identity, TEDx Mumbai, India, 2011.
Noh, Kabuki, Commedia and Indian Hastra Mudras, Drill Hall, London, United Kingdom, 2010.
Movement as Therapy, Bombay Hub, Mumbai, India, 2010.
Rehabilitation of Sexual Trafficked Individuals, International Justice Mission, Mumbai, India, 2010.
Rebuilding after a Traumatic Brain Injury, Framnäs Folkhögskola, Pitea, Sweden, 2009.
East Meets West – Gesture meets Realism, International Schools Theatre Association, Singapore, 2008.
Participatory Research, Lulea Tekniska Universitet, Lulea, Sweden, 2008.
Developing a Theatre Curriculum, International Schools Theatre Association, Taipei, Taiwan, 2007.
Acting to Benefit Other Artistic Disciplines, Framnäs Folkhögskola, Pitea, Sweden, 2007.
Arts Studies in America, Lulea Tekniska Universitet, Lulea, Sweden, 2006.
The Performance of Physical Rehabilitation, Framnäs Folkhögskola/Head Trauma Staff, Lulea, Sweden, 2005.
Bridging the Arts and Social Sciences, Association of Theatre in Higher Education, San Francisco, 2005.
American Council for Academic Deans, Fellow, 2026.
Annual Excellence in Service Award, The American University in Cairo, 2024.
Times Higher Education Award, Research Project of the Year: Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Middle East – North Africa, 2023.
Award for the Disciplines, Excellence in Developing Undergraduate Research, The American University in Cairo, 2022.
Andrew J. Mellon grant: Global South Initiative, 2020.
Andrew J. Mellon grant: Co-Teaching Initiative, 2019.
Faculty Mentor Award for Undergraduate Research, University of Montana, 2015.
Vice President’s Award for Outstanding Service to Students, University of Montana, 2013.
Indian Doctors Honoring the Arts, 2010.
European Union Social Fund Grant Award: All Abilities Programing, 2009.
Center for International Rehabilitation Research Exchange Grant, 2007.
International Health and Medical Media Awards (Finalist), 2006.
WINNER: PBS Independent Lens Audience Award, 2006.
WINNER: Superfest Media Awards, 2005.
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival- Award for Outstanding Direction, 2005.
David Mark Cohen Playwriting Award (Finalist), 2005.
Jean Kennedy Smith VSA Playwriting Award (Finalist), 2005.
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, showcase production, 2005.
Distinguished Teacher of the Year, School of Fine Arts, University of Montana, 2003.
Campus Compact Faculty Fellowship for Service Learning, University of Montana, 2001.
Faculty Recognition Award, Davidson Honor’s College, University of Montana, 2001.
2112 Cleveland Blvd, Caldwell, ID 83605
208-459-5011 • 800-2C-IDAHO