Gautam Pillay is New Vice Provost for Research, Dean of the Graduate School at WWU

Following a national search, Gautam Pillay is the new vice provost for Research and dean of the Graduate School at Western Washington University, Provost Brent Carbajal announced today.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Gautam Pillay to Western.  His extensive administrative and policy experience, combined with vast knowledge of the critical issues facing higher education today, situate Dr. Pillay well to lead the Graduate School and Research and Sponsored Programs office. We look forward to his leadership in both areas and to the perspective and context his experience will provide as we further our support for graduate studies and research at Western,” Carbajal said.

Carbajal thanked retiring Dean Kathleen Kitto for her many contributions to Western.

“As Dean/Vice Provost Kathy Kitto retires, we express great appreciation for her leadership and all that she has done for and accomplished at Western,” Carbajal said.

Pillay, who is currently the associate vice president for Research and Sponsored Programs at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, will start at Western on Aug. 28, 2017.   He earned a doctorate in chemical engineering from Texas A & M University and a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from New Mexico State University. Since 2013, he has served West Chester University as the chief research officer, facilitating the development and sustainability of research, scholarship and creativity in all academic colleges and schools to enhance undergraduate and graduate learning and faculty professional development.

“I would like to thank the members of the search committee, the provost, the president and all students, faculty and staff who took the time to meet with me at Western and share their experiences with research, scholarship and graduate programs,” Pillay said. “It is critical for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in experiential learning that applies their classroom experiences to real-world situations and for the faculty to advance their professional fields by creating new knowledge.

Pillay added, “I had the privilege of seeing my wife recently earn an advanced degree to enhance her professional experience, so I am excited to assist in providing graduate educational opportunities to Western students in all disciplines. I am honored to be given this exceptional opportunity to contribute to these vital missions.”

Previously, Pillay served as tenured professor of Chemical Engineering and associate provost for Research at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey: vice president for Research and professor of Chemical Engineering at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology; and executive director of the Inland Northwest Research Alliance, a non-profit consisting of eight western research universities. Additionally, he served for over 20 years as a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory researcher, program manager, government relations manager, chief of staff and senior administrator, including at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Washington.

His research interests include environmental remediation and restoration, societal impacts of science and engineering, and the instructional methods of technical communications. He has received numerous awards and has published widely in scholarly journals. In addition, he has formal training in three languages, several musical instruments, multiple theatrical and dance genres, and has performed professionally in several states.