Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Ani Yazedjian has announced Dr. Scott R. Irelan as dean of the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts (WKCFA), effective July 1. Irelan is currently serving as associate dean at Western Michigan University. He will succeed Jean Miller, who will retire June 30.
“Dr. Irelan brings years of experience as a faculty member, department chair, associate dean, and administrator to his new role as dean of the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts,” said Dr. Yazedjian. “He also brings a strong record of accomplishments related to program development; strategic planning; faculty, staff, and student success using an equity-focused approach; among various other aspects of university operations. His depth and breadth of experience will serve WKCFA and the University well in the coming years. I also want to express my gratitude to Jean Miller for her exemplary service and dedication as WKCFA dean for the past nine years.”
During his tenure at Western Michigan University, Irelan has demonstrated a profound commitment to fostering interdisciplinarity through the development and implementation of programs and units such as the Richmond Institute for Design + Innovation, which he co-founded. He was also involved in the creation of the School of Theatre and Dance from the Department of Dance and the Department of Theatre. His efforts have extended to supporting the creative-scholarly pursuits of faculty and professional development opportunities for staff, prioritizing student recruitment/retention, and implementing best practices in assessment and advising. Furthermore, he has played a central role in the strategic planning process, overseeing its development, implementation, and reporting. In addition to these responsibilities, Irelan has overseen faculty and staff recruitment and hiring processes, conducted reviews for tenure, promotion, and sabbaticals, and offered guidance in strategic communications and budget analysis.
“I am drawn to ISU for its dedication to individualized and transformative experiences,” said Irelan. “I had the privilege of starting my higher education journey at Illinois State University as a nontenure track instructional assistant professor in the College of Fine Arts. Returning to a place that shaped the trajectory of my academic career feels like a fitting continuation of that journey. The Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts has an outstanding reputation, and the momentum behind its current initiatives is truly impressive. It is both an honor and a privilege to be chosen to serve as the next dean, and I look forward to our collective future.”
Irelan earned his bachelor’s degree in communication and a master’s degree in theatre arts from Bowling Green State University, followed by a Ph.D. in theatre and performance studies from Southern Illinois University. His scholarly contributions include numerous articles, reviews, presentations, and books that have enriched discourse in theatre history, dramatic literature, dramaturgy, and the intersection of performance and society, particularly regarding the Lincoln Legend of dramatic literature and live performance.
