Cynthia B. Dillard, PhD

Dillard brings to Seattle U and the College of Education a wealth of experience as a proven leader. She has served in several key academic posts in higher education including, among others, as Chair of the Department of Educational Theory and Practice at the University of Georgia and Associate Dean for Equity and Diversity at The Ohio State University.

Dillard’s current responsibilities require that she remain in her role with the University of Georgia through January 2022. She will officially begin her new role as Dean on Feb. 1, 2022.

“I am thrilled to be selected as the next Dean of the College of Education at Seattle University. It will be my privilege to work in community with the exceptional students, staff and faculty at SU,” says Dillard. “Guided by the strong Jesuit commitments of social justice and service that are foundational to this university, I look forward to working diligently to address our most pressing challenges in education—in Seattle, across the nation and the world.”

A distinguished scholar, Dillard’s scholarship has included research on intersections of race, culture, gender and spirituality, particularly in the context of teaching and education. She has authored or edited four books, with the most current,