Dr. Wendy Burns-Ardolino

Dr. Wendy Burns-Ardolino will be joining the University of Houston-Downtown as the Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. She will officially assume this role on July 1, 2021.

Burns-Ardolino will be joining the University’s administrative ranks to provide visionary leadership to guide and strengthen the College of Humanities and Social Sciences as its dean. Through the growth and refinement of the 17 degree programs currently offered in the college, to the development of internal and external partnerships, and continuing commitment to community engagement, Dr. Burns-Ardolino will support the mission and vision of the college as the intellectual and creative center of the university.

“Dr. Burns-Ardolino brings a wealth of valuable experience to UHD, and we are excited to have her join the administrative team at UHD in this critically important role as Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences,” said Dr. Eric Carl Link, the UHD Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. “Her work with program development, and the depth of her experience in interdisciplinary work, as well as her commitment to student success and diversity, position her well for leading CHSS now and into the future.”

Burns-Ardolino is coming to UHD from Grand Valley State University where she currently serves as the Director of the Professional Master of Arts in Social Innovation – she is the founding director of this program which is the first integrative, interdisciplinary, impact-driven, cross-sector PMA in Social Innovation Program in the state of Michigan. Prior to serving as director, Burns-Ardolino was the Chair of the Liberal Studies Department.

In addition, Burns-Ardolino has extensive experience in diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence including her service as the HERS summer Associate Director in Residence at the University of Denver where she supported instruction and programming and provided mentoring and professional guidance. Dr. Burns-Ardolino holds a PhD in Cultural Studies from George Mason University.

“I am thrilled and humbled to be joining the dynamic faculty, staff, students and leadership team in CHSS and to work collaboratively with community partners, deans, provost, and President Blanchard to achieve the aspirational goals of UHD as Premier City University, a Minority and Hispanic Serving Institution, and a hub for community engaged learning geared toward skills-based talent and workforce development for the 21^st Century,” Burns-Ardolino said.