Oakland, CA - Mills College announces the appointment of Joanna Iwata as the new Dean of Student Life, effective May 16, 2005.  Bringing to Mills more than 20 years of expertise in student services administration, Iwata was the Director of Student Involvement at East Carolina University (ECU) for four years, and served on the ECU Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of Women.

The newest member of Mills’ senior leadership team, Iwata will oversee residential life, student leadership and activities programs, career and counseling services, Summer Academic Workshop, student health programs, Community Link with Oakland, international student services, athletics and student disability services, and diversity programs. This appointment marks her return to Mills; she worked as Assistant Director of Student Activities from 1982 to 1984.

“Mills will benefit from Joanna Iwata’s commitment to women’s education and her expertise in developing a progressive student life agenda,” said Janet L. Holmgren, Mills President.  “She is truly dedicated to empowering students by advancing their leadership skills within a socially responsible environment.”

Iwata said she  “looks forward to bringing an entrepreneurial spirit in responding to the diverse needs of Mills students.  I plan to collaborate with a broad range of Mills community members to advance the new paradigm for a women’s college outlined in the College’s strategic planning process.” 

During the past 20 years, Iwata’s work in administrative student services has spanned eight higher educational institutions on the East and West Coasts, and Hawaii. This includes work as Director of the Minority Student Program at the University of Vermont, Director of Student Activities at the University of North Carolina, and Dean of Students at Chaminade University. She has also worked as a leadership trainer at the Center for Creative Leadership and as an independent consultant for Staub-Peterson, Roosevelt Thomas, and other Fortune 500 companies.

Iwata earned her BA degree in East Asian Languages and Cultures/Spanish from the University of Southern California, and an MA degree in Inter-American Studies (concentration in Spanish) from the University of the Pacific.

Mills College is a nationally renowned, independent liberal arts college offering innovative degree programs for undergraduate women, and graduate degree and certificate programs for women and men. Consistently ranked among the top 75 liberal arts colleges in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Mills is also recognized as one of the country’s 15 most diverse colleges. Nestled in the foothills of Oakland, California on 135 lush acres, Mills provides a dynamic liberal arts education fostering women’s leadership, social responsibility, and creativity.

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