Barbara J. Wilson

Barbara Wilson
22nd President of the University of Iowa
Incumbent
Assumed office
July 15, 2021
Preceded byBruce Harreld
Chancellor of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Acting
In office
September 10, 2015 – September 25, 2016
Preceded byPhyllis Wise
Succeeded byRobert J. Jones
Personal details
Born (1957-11-27) November 27, 1957 (age 67)
Appleton, Wisconsin, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison (BA, MA, PhD)
Academic background
ThesisVisual Exposure and Verbal Explanation Components of a Desensitization Procedure to Reduce Children’s Fear Reactions to Mass Media: A Developmental Study (1985)
Doctoral advisorJoanne Cantor
Academic work
DisciplineCommunications
Institutions

Barbara J. Wilson (born November 27, 1957)[1][2] is an American academic who has served as the 22nd president of the University of Iowa since July 15, 2021. She previously was provost of the University of Illinois system.[3]

Early life and education

Wilson was born on November 27, 1957, in Appleton, Wisconsin.[1] She earned her bachelor's degree in 1979 studying journalism at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.[4] She went on to receive a master's degree in 1982 and a doctorate degree in communications in 1985 from the same university while working under the direction of Joanne Cantor.[5][1]

Career

After receiving her doctorate degree in 1985, Wilson became an assistant professor at the University of Louisville where her research was focused on the developmental differences in children's cognitive and emotional reactions to mass media.[6] After three years at Louisville, Wilson left for a position at the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1988 and remained there for 12 years.[7]

In 2014, Wilson was appointed dean of College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.[8]

In 2015, Wilson was named acting chancellor for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign while the campus searches for a replacement for outgoing chancellor Phyllis M. Wise.[9]

In 2016, Wilson was appointed executive vice president for the University of Illinois System.[10]

On July 15, 2021, Wilson was named the 22nd president of the University of Iowa.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b c Wilson, Barbara Jan (1985). Visual Exposure And Verbal Explanation Components of a Desensitization Procedure to Reduce Children's Fear Reactions to Mass Media: A Developmental Study (Ph.D. thesis). The University of Wisconsin - Madison. OCLC 12622169. ProQuest 303381125.
  2. ^ Miller, Vanessa (April 30, 2021). "Wilson's hiring as UI president charts new course". The Gazette. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  3. ^ Payne, Kate (July 21, 2021). "New UI President Starts Job During Time Of Transition". Iowa Public Radio. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  4. ^ "About the President | Office of the President - The University of Iowa". president.uiowa.edu. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  5. ^ "Comm Arts alum Barbara J. Wilson becomes president of the University of Iowa". Department of Communication Arts. May 12, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  6. ^ Communication Yearbook 10, Issue 10. Routledge. 2011. p. 888. ISBN 9780415876919.
  7. ^ Wilson, Barbara J. "Vita" (PDF). University of Illinois System.
  8. ^ Helenthal, Mike (May 8, 2014). "Barbara J. Wilson named dean of College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at University of Illinois". University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
  9. ^ Helenthal, Mike (August 20, 2015). "LAS dean Barbara J. Wilson named acting chancellor". University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
  10. ^ "Barbara J. Wilson named executive vice president for U of I System". UIUC College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. September 13, 2016.
  11. ^ "Barbara J. Wilson named Iowa's next leader". This is UIowa. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
Academic offices
Preceded by Chancellor of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2015–2016
Acting 		Succeeded by
Preceded by 22nd President of the University of Iowa
2021 – present 		Incumbent