Meet Dr. Shreerekha Pillai: Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Shreerekha Pillai was appointed as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in July. A seasoned educator and leader, Pillai brings over 30 years of experience in advancing academic excellence and student empowerment. Her career includes significant roles at the University of Houston-Clear Lake, where she served as associate dean and professor of humanities. A first-generation immigrant from India, Pillai's journey reflects a deep commitment to inclusive education and community engagement. In this Q&A, Dr. Pillai shares her vision for the college, her leadership philosophy and her dedication to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and mentorship at 麻豆社区P.
Q: What inspired you to take on this role at our university?
A: Over the course of my career 鈥� from faculty roles to service-based leadership 鈥� I鈥檝e been learning, growing and moving toward higher levels of impact. What drew me to 麻豆社区P was the community. Meeting people here and learning about the institution made me feel like this was a place where I could truly plant my roots. The values of this campus truly resonate with me.
Q: Can you share a little about your background and what led you to a career in academia?
A: I鈥檓 a first-generation immigrant who went to New York City and had the privilege of an incredible education. My teachers played a huge role in shaping my journey 鈥� they were mentors and second parents in many ways. I didn鈥檛 always think I would be a teacher, but over time, I realized that teaching was my jam. That passion was solidified when I began teaching in Baltimore. My first students taught me as much as I taught them.
Q: Was there a moment that made you fall in love with literature?
A: Yes! I started undergrad as a pre-med student, but one summer while working in a factory, I picked up Toni Morrison鈥檚 鈥淏eloved.鈥� I couldn鈥檛 stop reading it. That book changed everything. I used my summer job paycheck to buy her other novels and eventually called my parents to say, 鈥淚鈥檓 switching to literature.鈥� Their response? 鈥淲e always knew.鈥� That moment gave me confidence, and since then, I've loved helping students discover that same joy in reading and writing.
Q: What are your thoughts on the future of the humanities and social sciences in higher education?
A: I think we are uniquely equipped to confront today鈥檚 challenges. The humanities and social sciences encourage us to think critically, ask challenging questions, and propose innovative solutions. Our college cultivates the intellectual courage and fair-mindedness needed to lead with compassion and clarity.
Q: How do you plan to support students and faculty?
A: Mentorship is one of my core values. I aim to support both students and faculty in their personal and professional growth. That means generating resources for professional development, building mentorship spaces, celebrating accomplishments and cultivating community.
Q: What are your thoughts on interdisciplinary collaboration?
A: It鈥檚 essential. Today鈥檚 workforce demands cross-cutting skills. Our students benefit from learning to think across disciplines, and our departments are set up for collaborative success. We need to keep pushing that forward.
Q: How does research shape the college鈥檚 future?
A: Research not only advances our academic disciplines but also informs teaching and creates opportunities for student engagement. Our college plays a critical role in shaping knowledge and equipping students to lead with that insight.
Q: You鈥檝e done significant work teaching incarcerated students. How has that shaped your perspective?
A: The Transforming Lives by Degree program is one of the most meaningful parts of my journey. These students are among the most driven and committed I鈥檝e ever taught. They remind me every day of the power of education to heal, liberate, and transform lives.
Q: What has that experience taught you about the power of education?
A: Education brings light where there was once darkness. For incarcerated students, the classroom is often the only place where they feel truly seen. It builds confidence, writing skills, critical thinking and 鈥� most importantly 鈥� hope. It鈥檚 a powerful reminder of why we do this work.